Academics
Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Childhood and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction, M.S.Ed.
About the Program
Teachers with New York State initial teaching certification in childhood or early
childhood education, or provisional teacher certification in elementary education may apply for admission to the master’s program in curriculum and instruction. Students who successfully complete this master of science in education program may apply for professional teaching certification (for those with initial certification) or permanent teaching certification (for those with provisional certification) from the New York State Department of Education.
About the Elementary Education and Reading Department
302 Bacon Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5916
Fax: (716) 878-6033
www.buffalostate.edu/elementaryeducation/
Contact Faculty and Staff in the Elementary Education and Reading Department
Admission Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum
cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale), or a minimum combined quantitative/verbal score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
2. A New York State Certificate of Qualification (CQ) or provisional certification in elementary education, or initial certification in childhood or early childhood education. Recent graduates or students who are completing their undergraduate programs at the time of application should write in the anticipated date of certification on the admission application. Students must submit a copy of certification to the Elementary Education and Reading Department by the time they apply for degree candidacy (after completing 6 credits and before completing 12 credits).
3. A word-processed statement addressing the following:
a) Professional goals for the specific program to which they are applying.
b) Related professional experiences.
The statement will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
1) Organization
2) Conventions of language
3) Content
Note: Please sign and date the statement.
4. Three letters of reference on special department forms that attest to the applicant’s potential as a graduate student. Please note that two references must be from college professors/instructors. Department forms may be downloaded at www.buffalostate.edu/graduateschool/admissions.
5. Supplemental application forms for this program may be downloaded from the Graduate School Web site.
These are the minimum criteria for admission; satisfaction of these criteria does not guarantee admission to the program. In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
Seminar (3 credits)
EDU 501 Seminar for the Reflective Teacher (to be taken early in the program)
Content Distribution Courses (12 credits)
Select one course from each category:
1. English Language Arts.
EDU 535 Teaching Writing in the Elementary School
EDU 546 Improvement of Instruction in Language Arts
EDU 612 Developing Literacy through Literature
EDU 613 Assessment of English Language Arts for the Classroom Teacher (prerequisite EDU 513 and one other graduate literacy course)
2. Social Studies
EDU 654 Social Studies in the Elementary School
HIS 500 Studies in American History
3. Mathematics
EDU 651 Improving Mathematics in the Elementary School
MAT 590 Special Topics: Math for Elementary Teachers
4. Science
EDU 671 Constructing Science Understanding in an Elementary School Classroom
PHY 507 Force and Energy Interactions for K-8 Teachers
GES 502 The Restless Earth
NOTE: Other content courses are acceptable by advisement ONLY.
Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity Courses (6 credits)
Select one course from category A and one course from category B:
Category A
EDF 500 Multicultural Education
EDU 620 Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary School Classrooms
Category B
EDF 528 Human Relations
EDF 641 Social Foundations of Education (offered infrequently)
EDF 645 Social Influences on Teaching and Learning (offered infrequently)
EDU/EXE 577 Teaching Individuals with Exceptionalities in Regular Classroom
EXE 500 Individuals with Special Needs (cannot be taken by Buffalo State graduates)
EDU 528 Families and Early Childhood Programs
Curriculum and Instructional Development Courses (9 credits)
Select three courses:
CRS/EDL 559 Principles in Creative Problem Solving
EDC 600 Multimedia for Educators
EDC 606 Internet for Educators
EDC 604 Authoring for Educators
EDF 503 Educational Psychology
EDF 611 Evaluation in Education
EDL 652 Special Education Law
EDU/CRS 509 The Gifted Individual
EDU 513 Survey of Basic Concepts of Elementary Reading Instruction
EDU/EDL 534 Holistic Curriculum
EDU 535 Teaching Writing in the Elementary School
EDU 543 Curriculum for the Young Child (Must be taken with EDU 626)
EDU 546 Improvement of Instruction in Language Arts
EDU 574 Elementary School Curriculum
EDU 609 Improving Reading in the Content Areas
EDU 611 Literacy in the Primary Grades
EDU 612 Developing Literacy Through Literature
EDU 613 Assessment of English Language Arts for the Classroom Teacher (Prerequisite: EDU 513 and one other graduate literacy class)
EDU 626 Integrating the Content Areas in the Teaching of Young Children (Must be taken with EDU 543)
EDU 640 Conflict Resolution and Peaceable Schools
EDU 651 Improving Mathematics in the Elementary School
EDU 654 Social Studies in the Elementary School
EDU 670 Principles of Curriculum Design
EDU 671 Constructing Science Understanding in the Elementary School
EDU 672 The Microcomputer in the Instructional Program
MED 600 Contemporary Mathematics Curriculum Developments
SCI 521 Lab Techniques for Elementary School Teachers
NOTE: Other courses are acceptable by advisement ONLY.
Research (3 credits)
EDF 689 Methods and Techniques of Educational Research (Must be taken prior to EDU 690)
Project (3 credits)
EDU 690 Master’s Project (Culminating Course)
Total Required Credits: 36 credits (15 credits at 600-level)
