Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12, M.S.

Amanda M. Gunning, Ph.D., Chair
914-674-7399
agunning@mercy.edu

The 36-credit Master of Science in Adolescence Education, Grades 7–12, offered at Mercy College, leads to either initial / professional certification. Clinical placements are determined by a candidate’s undergraduate preparation and teaching experience. Pre-service candidates will pursue a course of study leading to degree conferral and eligibility for Initial New York State certification. Candidates who do not yet have appropriate experience at both the lower and upper grade levels covered by their prospective certification area(s) will be required to fulfill this requirement during this program. This requirement will be fulfilled by completing 20 days of supervised student teaching in each area of certification(s) they are seeking, and do not already have appropriate experience.

Qualified applicants may participate in courses leading to eligibility for two certifications while pursuing the degree in Adolescence Education, Grades 7–12. Candidates complete the required courses for degree conferral and additional courses specific to the certification area(s) desired. Students pursuing additional certificates will be required to complete additional clinical and field experiences.

Degree-seeking students in all Adolescence Education programs must successfully complete the education capstone requirement specific to their degree program prior to degree conferral. Degree candidates in the Adolescence Education program leading to Initial certification must complete an e-portfolio project in the clinical practice course.

All candidates in Adolescence Education are encouraged to join the national professional organization in their respective content fields: the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Science Teachers Association, or the National Council for the Social Studies.

Adolescence Education Program Goals:

The goals of the Adolescence Education Program are predicated on the belief that teachers of students in grades 7–12 need to be grounded in a thorough understanding of one or more content fields, as well as methods of teaching that engage adolescent learners who are in their final years of K–12 education and who are preparing to enter the world of civic responsibility, higher education, and/or the job market. Thus, the program goals are:

The candidate will understand, explain, analyze, and apply the major concepts, principles, theories, and underlying philosophies of adolescence education programs that address the cognitive and psychological development of adolescent learners.
The candidate will be able to create learning opportunities and approaches to assessment that reflect an understanding of adolescent learners in ways that value and respond to the diversity of the student population and use family and community resources to extend the curriculum, while addressing the learning standards of the candidate’s content field of study.

Course Requirements for Initial Certification Candidates

Course Numbers and Titles

EDUC 500 - Educational Foundations from Diverse Perspectives Credit(s): 3
EDUC 502 - Foundations in Education for Students with Disabilities Credit(s): 3
EDUC 505 - Teaching English as a Second Language Credit(s): 3
EDUC 506 - Educational Evaluation and Assessment from Early Childhood through Adolescence Credit(s): 3
EDUC 507 - Approaches to Literacy Instruction in Early Childhood through Adolescence Credit(s): 3
Select one of the following based on content area:
EDUC 511A - Methods and Materials in Secondary Mathematics Education Credit(s): 3 * Pertinent to the area of Certification
EDUC 511B - Methods and Materials in Secondary Science Education Credit(s): 3 * Pertinent to the area of Certification
EDUC 511C - Methods and Materials in Secondary Social Studies Education Credit(s): 3 * Pertinent to the area of Certification
EDUC 511D - Methods and Materials in Secondary English Education Credit(s): 3 * Pertinent to the area of Certification
EDUC 517 - Educational Psychology and Adolescent Development Credit(s): 3
EDUC 518 - Method and Materials in Middle Childhood Education Credit(s): 3
EDUC 643 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas, Grades 5–12 Credit(s): 3
EDUC 709 - Student Teaching Experience Credit(s): 3
or
EDUC 713 - Seminar in Teaching Credit(s): 3
Specialization Courses (Select Two Courses from the Same Content Area – See Below) Credit(s): 6

Content Area Specialization Courses

Specialization Courses (Select Two – Must be From Same Content Area)

English

ENGE 540 - Applied English Grammar Credit(s): 3
ENGE 541 - Analyzing Short Fiction Credit(s): 3

Social Studies

Select two of the following:

HSTE 533 - Critical Issues in U. S. History Credit(s): 3
HSTE 535 - American Government Credit(s): 3
HSTE 534 - Critical Issues in Global History Credit(s): 3
HSTE 536 - Theories of Globalization Credit(s): 3

Mathematics

Select two of the following:

MTHE 535 - Problem Solving in Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MTHE 536 - History of Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MTHE 540 - Enriching the Teaching of Secondary School Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MTHE 542 - Enhancing Mathematics with STEM Credit(s): 3
MTHE 543 - Robotics and Programming for the Classroom Credit(s): 3

Biology

Select two of the following:

SCIE 553 - Engineering for the Secondary Classroom Credit(s): 3
SCIE 554 - Leadership in STEM Credit(s): 3
SCIE 555 - Forensic Science Credit(s): 3
SCIE 556 - Oceanography Credit(s): 3
SCIE 557 - Bioengineering Credit(s): 3

Physics

Select two of the following:

SCIE 553 - Engineering for the Secondary Classroom Credit(s): 3
SCIE 554 - Leadership in STEM Credit(s): 3
SCIE 555 - Forensic Science Credit(s): 3
SCIE 556 - Oceanography Credit(s): 3
SCIE 558 - Physical Science Credit(s): 3

Chemistry

Select two of the following:

SCIE 553 - Engineering for the Secondary Classroom Credit(s): 3
SCIE 554 - Leadership in STEM Credit(s): 3
SCIE 555 - Forensic Science Credit(s): 3
SCIE 556 - Oceanography Credit(s): 3
SCIE 558 - Physical Science Credit(s): 3

Total Credits: 36

This degree leads to single certification. Candidates in Adolescent Mathematics, Biology, English, and Social Studies may pursue additional certification as follows.

* Recommended to be taken in the semester prior to EDUC 713 . Requires completion of a minimum of 12 credits of coursework prior to course registration.

Master of Science in Adolescence Education, Grade 7-12, with an additional certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities Generalist- 45 credits

The Master of Science in Adolescence Education Program leads to initial certification in Adolescence Education, Grades 7–12, and Teaching Students with Disabilities, Grade 7–12, requires completion of the above 12 courses required for degree conferral and completion of the three courses listed below:

EDUC 532 - Methods and Materials in Teaching Students with Disabilities, Grades 7–12 Credit(s): 3
EDUC 546 - Educational Assessment for Students with Disabilities Credit(s): 3
EDUC 548 - Principles and Strategies of Classroom Management Credit(s): 3

Total Credits: 45

Professional Licensure

If you are interested in obtaining professional licensure, please check with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice. For additional information and detailed requirements, please refer to the specific program of interest on the “School Resources” section of the Mercy College NC-Sara webpage.