Required materials for MST candidates in all certification areas
- Completed online Graduate School Application - Apply Now
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended to be forwarded directly to SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office.
Note: candidates for admission must present evidence of bachelor's degree conferral prior to the start of their academic program. - Letter of introduction (writing sample) that includes a self-description, background experience, and goals.
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the candidate’s suitability for a career in teaching.
- Each program has slightly different admissions criteria so be sure to check with graduate admissions or the program coordinator.
Evaluation Policy
At the State University of New York College at Cortland, we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.
Exceptions:
Exceptional applicants who do not meet all of the above requirements will be considered on an individual basis. Qualified applicants who have content deficits may be
required to complete program related undergraduate coursework prior to program completion.
Deadlines:
- Fall semester applications: July 1
- Summer semester applications: April 1
Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a space availability basis.
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 607-753-4800 to check availability.
Eligibility for Student Teaching
To be eligible to student teach, you must be in good academic standing, have no incompletes, complete all prerequisite education courses, have an overall Cortland grade point average of 3.0, and complete the Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (CAR), Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) and Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) workshops. You must be eligible at the time of application (the semester prior to student teaching). If ineligible, you must reapply when eligibility is
achieved.
Criteria for MST—Adolescence Education: Biology 7-12
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 30 credits in biology with grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The 30 credits should include coursework in scientific methods, cell biology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, comparative anatomy, genetics and evolution, biological diversity, human biology, and ecology.
- One health education course that fulfills state mandates for teacher knowledge of drug studies and alcohol/tobacco use prevention strategies such as the following SUNY Cortland courses: HLH 110 or HLH 199.
- To qualify for the general science extension (7-12) required to teach general science in 7 /8 grade, a minimum of 18 credit hours in two additional sciences with a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. An introductory sequence of chemistry with laboratory, an introductory sequence of physics with laboratory, and an Introductory sequence in geology with laboratory is recommended.
Criteria for MST—Adolescence Education: Chemistry 7-12
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 30 credits in chemistry with grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The 30 credits should include coursework in scientific methods, matter and atomic structure, energy, chemical bonds and molecular structure, chemical reactions and quantitative relationships.
- One health education course that fulfills state mandates for teacher knowledge of drug studies and alcohol/tobacco use prevention strategies such as the following SUNY Cortland courses: HLH 110 or HLH 199.
- To qualify for the general science extension (7-12) required to teach general science in 7 /8 grade, a minimum of 18 credit hours in two additional sciences with a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. An introductory sequence of biology with laboratory, an introductory sequence of physics with laboratory, and an Introductory sequence in geology with laboratory is recommended.
Criteria for MST—Adolescence Education: Earth Sciences 7-12
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 30 credits in geology/earth science with grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The 30 credits should include coursework in scientific methods, space systems, atmospheric systems, geological systems, and water systems.
- One health education course that fulfills state mandates for teacher knowledge of drug studies and alcohol/tobacco use prevention strategies such as the following SUNY Cortland courses: HLH 110 or HLH 199.
- To qualify for the general science extension (7-12) required to teach general science in 7 /8 grade, a minimum of 18 credit hours in two additional sciences with a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. An introductory sequence of chemistry with laboratory, an introductory sequence of physics with laboratory, and an Introductory sequence in biology with laboratory is recommended.
Criteria for MST—Adolescence Education: English 7-12
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 30 credits in English with grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Up to six of those 30 credits can come from related areas of study, such as speech, drama, theater, and journalism.
- One health education course that fulfills state mandates for teacher knowledge of drug studies and alcohol/tobacco use prevention strategies such as the following SUNY Cortland courses: HLH 110 or HLH 199.
Criteria for MST—Adolescence Education: Mathematics 7-12
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 30 credits in mathematics with grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 2.7. The 30 credits should include 12 credits of calculus, and coursework in statistics, mathematical proof, linear algebra, geometry, algebraic structures, and real analysis.
- One health education course that fulfills state mandates for teacher knowledge of drug studies and alcohol/tobacco use prevention strategies such as the following SUNY Cortland courses: HLH 110 or HLH 199.
Criteria for MST—Adolescence Education: Physics 7-12
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 30 credits in physics with grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The 30 credits should include coursework in scientific methods, mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, waves, sound, light, quantum theory and the atom.
- One health education course that fulfills state mandates for teacher knowledge of drug studies and alcohol/tobacco use prevention strategies such as the following SUNY Cortland courses: HLH 110 or HLH 199.
- To qualify for the general science extension (7-12) required to teach general science in 7 /8 grade, a minimum of 18 credit hours in two additional sciences with a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. An introductory sequence of chemistry with laboratory, an introductory sequence of biology with laboratory, and an introductory sequence of geology with laboratory is recommended.
Criteria for MST—Adolescence Education: Social Studies 7-12
Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with a GPA of 2.7 or higher in the candidate’s undergraduate major.
- A minimum of 30 credits in social studies subjects (history, geography, political science, economics, anthropology, sociology) with grades of C or better. The 30 credits should include at least 21 credits in the history and geography of the United States and the world, at least 3 credits in economics, and at least 3 credits in political science.
- One health education course that fulfills state mandates for teacher knowledge of drug studies and alcohol/tobacco use prevention strategies such as the following SUNY Cortland courses: HLH 110 or HLH 199.