Graduate Programs

Adolescence Education: Biology (7-12) [ABI] M.A.T. (Graduate)

Overview

As an undergraduate majoring in biology or a closely related field, you developed and expanded your knowledge of life on Earth and the interactions of living organisms with each other and with their environment. Whether you were interested in concepts related to cellular biology and genetics or in concepts related to organismal biology and ecology, your studies and experiences fueled a desire to share this science through teaching. The M.A.T. in adolescence education: biology (7-12) will broaden and deepen your knowledge and help you develop the skills you need to teach biology in middle and high schools.

Program Highlights

As you advance your study of biology, you will immerse yourself in learning about successful classroom teaching. You'll explore the nature of the adolescent learner in your introduction to adolescence education and advanced developmental psychology classes. Courses in literacy development, language acquisition and science teaching methodology, help you develop teaching strategies that work best with students whose ability, motivation and interests differ widely. Through field experiences and student teaching, you'll work in public school science classrooms with veteran teachers who support your integration of educational theory with the best teaching practices.

Environmental Facilities

Take advantage of SUNY Cortland's exceptional outdoor environmental resources, including Hoxie Gorge — a 170-acre nature preserve located just seven miles from campus — and our Outdoor Education Center residential facility at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks.

Culminating Experience

In addition to fulfilling specific requirements for the degree and for New York state teaching certification, you'll complete a culminating master's project.

Career Potential

When you earn the M.A.T. in adolescence education: biology (7-12), you will have fulfilled the New York State Education Department's requirements for initial certification in biology for grades 7-12.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program as stated in this catalog, the applicant for enrollment in the program leading to the M.A.T. in adolescence biology should present the following:

1. Evidence of completion of a bachelor's degree in biology or functionally related area
2. At least 30 credit hours of course work in biology
3. At least 12 credit hours of course work in chemistry
4. At least eight credit hours of introductory physics
5. At least four credit hours of physical geology
6. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 overall, in the major, and in related areas of science and math
7. Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues who can speak to the candidate's preparation and competence for teaching science in grades 7-12
8. An interview with the coordinator of adolescence education: science (7-12)
9. Application to the SUNY Cortland Teacher Education Program

Adolescence Education: Biology (7-12) [ABI] M.S.Ed. (Graduate)

Overview

With your initial certification to teach biology in hand, you now have the challenge of meeting the New York State Education Department's requirements for professional certification. SUNY Cortland's M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: biology (7-12) will help you fulfill those requirements. Whether you choose to enroll in full-time or part-time graduate study, the degree will give you the opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the biological sciences and related fields while continuing to improve your teaching skills.

Program Highlights

You'll enhance your knowledge in the sciences with graduate course work in biology, as well as with advanced study in chemistry, geology, and/or physics. You have two options for furthering your knowledge of adolescent learners and how to create and maintain a positive teaching-learning environment for science.

Option I

You will extend your teaching skills through exploration of emerging teaching methodologies and resources. You'll examine the social, historical, philosophical or psychological foundations of education.

Option II

You'll study the nature of the middle school adolescent learner and the teaching strategies that work best at that developmental level. With this option, you can earn a middle level extension of your grade 7-12 certificate to include grades 5 and 6 for biology.

Culminating Experience

In addition to fulfilling any specific degree requirements determined by the Biological Sciences Department, you'll complete a culminating master's project.

Environmental Experience

Take advantage of SUNY Cortland's exceptional outdoor environmental resources, including our Outdoor Education Center residential facility at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks and Hoxie Gorge, a 170-acre nature preserve located just seven miles from campus.

Career Potential

With Option I, you'll qualify for SUNY Cortland's institutional recommendation for New York state's professional certificate for biology 7-12. With Option II, you'll qualify for an institutional recommendation of an extension of your 7-12 certificate to include grades 5 and 6 for biology.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program stated in this catalog, you should present the following for enrollment in the program leading to an M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: biology (7-12):

1. All undergraduate transcripts that reflect evidence of completion of a bachelor's degree in biology or functionally related subject area. The transcripts need to show at least 30 credit hours of course work in the area of the certification.
2. Documentation of an initial/provisional certificate, or a certificate of qualification for provisional certification, to teach biology in grades 7-12 issued by the New York State Education Department.
3. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 overall, in the major, and in related areas of science and math.
4. Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues who can speak to the candidate's preparation and competence for teaching biology in grades 7-12.
5. An interview with the coordinator of adolescence education: science (7-12).