M.S.Ed. TESOL/Adolescence Education with Initial NYS Teacher Certification

English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), pre-k-12 - All Grades
Adolescence Education, 7-12

Initial Certification

This program is committed to the preparation of professional educators whose expertise provides broad and rich support to the education of students at the adolescence level (Grades 7-12) and/or students from language backgrounds other than English (K-12).

Course Blocks

Courses will be scheduled to allow students to move through the program at either a part-time rate (3-6 credit hours per semester) or full-time rate (9-12 credit hours per semester). Variance from advised sequence of coursework may slow a student’s progress in future semesters since not all courses will be offered each semester. Please refer to the course description section for specific prerequisite and corequisite requirements for courses.

Program Director

Rui Cheng, Ph.D.
(585)389-2441
rcheng9@naz.edu

 

INITIAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Entry requirements

Link to online application

1. Complete Online Application
2. Completion of the professional statement as described on the application
3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
4. Applicants must have completed, or will be completing, a baccalaureate degree   from an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a “B” average in the major field by the start date of the desired term. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is expected. Applicants who do not meet these requirements must address each of the following in their professional statement:
   • Explain why grades were below Nazareth’s minimum expectations
   • Explain potential to positively contribute to the teaching profession
   • Describe relevant experiences and/or activities that demonstrate ability to successfully complete graduate work at Nazareth University
   • Outline specific procedures that will be followed to successfully navigate and meet the rigorous requirements of graduate study
5. Two letters of recommendation

6. Twelve (12) credit hours of a language other than English, with at least six credits in the same language.  

   • A minimum of six (6) credits must be completed for entry to graduate study; the remaining six (6) credits are expected to be completed by the end of the first year of graduate study.

7. Resume

 

Application Deadlines:

March 1 for Summer Term
April 1 for Fall Term
October 1 for Spring Term
Applications received after the stated deadline will be processed on a space-available basis

Certification required for admission: None

Program leads to: Initial certification ESOL (K-12) and Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) in one of the following content areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, French, German, Italian, Mathematics, or Social Studies.

New York State Teacher Certification Requirements (undergraduate liberal arts requirements)

As required by the New York State Education Department, the following are undergraduate liberal arts requirements for initial certification in ESOL and Adolescence Education. A complete transcript review of previous studies will be conducted to ascertain that each applicant meets these requirements. Official transcript(s) must be on file in the Registration and Records Office.

• Applicants to initial certification programs must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, including the following Liberal Arts and Sciences coursework:
  • 6 credit hours in each of two content areas: English and social sciences
  • Total of 9 credit hours consisting of 3-6 total credit hours in each of two content areas: mathematics and science (must complete 3 credit hours in each area, plus 3 additional credits hours in mathematics or science)
  • 12 credit hours in a Language other than English, with at least six credits in the same language
  • 30 credit hours in a major or concentration with a B average and at least 12 credit hours at the upper division level. Major/concentration options include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, French, German, Italian Mathematics, Social Studies or Spanish
    • Applicants seeking content area Social Studies must have study in economics, government and at least a total of 21 credit hours in the history and geography of the United States and the world
• All liberal arts prerequisites must be successfully completed with a grade of C or higher and a minimum total cumulative grade point average of 2.7.

Applying for Teacher Certification through New York State - Initial Certification
Teacher candidates use the NYS TEACH system to apply for Initial and Professional certifications and need to pay the fees in effect at the time they apply. New York requires all teacher candidates to have a fingerprint/background check on file with TEACH, pass all appropriate New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and have the appropriate years of teaching experience. New York State Education Department maintains a website with certification requirements: www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/

All teacher candidates in a first time certification program requiring student teaching must successfully complete the following requirements to obtain New York State Teacher Certification:

1. Educating All Students Test (EAS); and
2. Content Specialty Test(s) (CST); and
3. Nazareth Student Teaching and Reflection (NSTAR)

During a teacher candidate’s final semester, information on the certification application process will be sent via email. Additional support may be obtained by contacting Nazareth University Teacher Certification Office at (585) 389-2051 or by email tcert@naz.edu, or go.naz.edu/cert.