Master of Science in Adolescence Education

(HEGIS 0802) 36-45 credits total

Dowling College recognizes the need for subject specialists who are not only competent in their areas of certification, but who also have acquired skills in classroom management and can employ successful instructional strategies and teaching skills.

Both public school teachers and school districts have expressed a need for a Master’s program that addresses the following:
  1. The effective teaching of classes with diverse populations that include students with a wide range of abilities: gifted and talented students, English as a second language students, and students with handicapping conditions.
  2. The ability to teach students how to read content area materials for comprehension and conceptual understanding.
  3. The ability to construct questions that require students to think and reason at higher cognitive and creative levels, and the ability to design classroom tests that measure complex achievement.
  4. The application of learning theory to the principles of classroom management, selection of instructional methods, and utilization of teaching techniques.
  5. The ability to design curricula and to adopt trends and innovations in curriculum development.
Dowling College has responded to that need and developed two distinct Graduate Adolescence Education Programs. The first prepares future practitioners (students seeking certification) to confront the challenges of teaching in a positive way; the second significantly enhances the performance of practicing professionals (certified teachers) while . Students in both programs will be expected to acquire mastery of core competencies which will be demonstrated through a variety of assignments: written reports, oral discourse, term papers, field work special projects, and summative examinations.

Conceptualization of Professional Roles and Responsibilities
The Dowling College graduate adolescence education degree prepares both certified teachers and teacher candidates to assume the following roles and responsibilities:
  1. become an instructional decision maker who can utilize knowledge of learning theory, motivation, and human needs in planning, guiding, assessing, remediating, and evaluating learning.
  2. become an effective manager of the learning environment, who, in developing and utilizing appropriate management techniques, can apply a wide repertoire of eclectic practices deriving from principles of behavioristic, cognitive, humanistic, and existential psychology.
  3. become a reflective teacher who systematically monitors experience and engages in critical reflective practice and qualitative inquiry in examining, analyzing, and thinking about learning/teaching events.

Adolescence Education Certification
For initial certification, students must complete the Adolescence Education Program for Students Seeking Certification. In addition, six credits in a foreign language and 36 credits in the academic area of certification must be completed, as well as, the appropriate New York State exams and workshops. Certification areas are listed below. The academic area requirements for initial certification are as follows:

Biology "7-12" (HEGIS 0802) 36 credits in Science required for initial certification, 24 of which must be in Biology
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of botany, zoology, ecology, embryology, genetics, algebra, general chemistry, and general physics. Where appropriate, the student will be expected to demonstrate laboratory skills.

Business Education “7-12” (HEGIS 0838)
36 credits in Business required for initial certification
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge and competency in secretarial science, accounting, business administration, business marketing, or business retail management.

Chemistry “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits in Science required for initial certification, 24 of which must be in Chemistry
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of general chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, qualitative and quantitative analysis, general physics, and mathematics through calculus. Where appropriate, the student will be expected to demonstrate laboratory skills.

Earth Science “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits required for initial certification, 24 of which must be in Earth Science
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of the dynamic changes of the earth from inner space (geology, volcanism, oceanography, meteorology) to outer space (astronomy, eunomental science).

English “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits in English required for initial certification
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of listening and speaking skills; oral reading skills; critical and interpretive reading skills; the structure and function of language including history, semantics, and usage; genre, period, and author works including Shakespeare; creative writing, journalism, and dramatics.

French “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits in French required for initial certification, 24 of which must be above the intermediate level

The student is expected to demonstrate the following: fluency in reading, writing, and speaking French; an ability to analyze the French language; and knowledge of the various French cultures.

Mathematics “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits in Mathematics including at least 6 in Calculus required for initial certification

All mathematics candidates seeking admission to the Master of Science in Adolescence Education Program must provide evidence that they have acquired the content knowledge and skills necessary to teach mathematics in New York State public schools. Candidates must be versed in the historical development of mathematics, provide evidence that they are familiar with number theory and concepts, are adept at utilizing mathematical systems of algebra (including linear and abstract), geometry, trigonometry and calculus and can address and solve problems involving data analysis, mathematical modeling, probability, statistics and discrete mathematics. In addition, candidates must be versed in estimation techniques and measurement of two- and three-dimensional objects.

In order to be offered admission and to determine whether a candidate has acquired such knowledge and skills, the following procedures are used:
  1. Enrollment Services reviews the candidate’s file to determine if the candidate meets the general admission criteria to the Master’s Program as described on page 48.
  2. The candidates’ records are reviewed to determine if they have successfully completed the following Dowling College courses or their equivalents at the other accredited colleges:
    CSC 1009 An Introduction to Spreadsheets and Visual Basic  
    MTH 1017 Discrete Mathematics  
    MTH 1021 Calculus I  
    MTH 1022 Calculus II  
    MTH 1023 Calculus III  
    MTH 2103 Linear Algebra  
    MTH 2115 History of Mathematics  
    MTH 3104 Number Theory  
    MTH 3111 Probability and Mathematical Statistics  
    MTH 4109 Abstract Algebra  
    MTH 4171 College Geometry  

  3. Candidates meeting the requirements in numbers 1 and 2 above will be granted admission to the program. Otherwise, the candidate may be granted conditional admission. The conditions will be put in writing and may include completion of specific mathematics courses, the passing of specific mathematics course final exams, passing the New York State Teacher Certification Examination/Content Specialty Test in Mathematics, or the development of a portfolio. The advisors will assist the candidate in meeting the specified requirements.

Physics “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits in Science required for initial certification, 24 of which must be in Physics
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of mechanics, electricity/magnetism, atomic theory, instrumentation, biophysics, thermodynamics, wave phenomena, electronics, electrochemistry, general chemistry, and mathematics through calculus. When appropriate, the student is expected to demonstrate laboratory skills. The student is also expected to know the way in which models used to describe and interpret the physical world came into being.

Social Studies “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits in the Social Sciences required for initial certification
The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of world history and american history, anthropology, sociology, economics, political theory, geography, and government. Advanced knowledge of at least one of the above cited disciplines must be demonstrated. Further, the student will be required to explain the characteristics of the social science disciplines and their points of convergence and divergence.

Spanish “7-12” (HEGIS 0802)
36 credits in Spanish required for initial certification, 24 of which must be above the intermediate level
The student is expected to demonstrate the following: fluency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish; an ability to analyze the Spanish language; and a knowledge of the various Spanish cultures.

Adolescence Degree Requirements for Students Seeking Certification 45 credits total

Note: In addition to the 42 credits required for the Master’s degree, all students seeking initial certification must additionally complete EDU 6392* Student Teaching, Grades 7-12 (3 credits), to satisfy New York State certification requirements. This course must be taken concurrently with EDU 6389 Subject Methods Seminar, Grades 7-12 and EDU 6391 Student Teaching Seminar, Grades 7-12

*In addition to course registration, students are required to register with the Director of Student Teacher Placement by November 15 for Spring Semester student teaching and May 1 for Fall semester student teaching. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 to register for student teaching.

I. Core Requirements (21 credits)
EDU 5301 Human Development and the Learning Process in Adolescence Education  
EDU 5305 Curricular Trends in Adolescence Education  
EDU 5306 Classroom Management and Instructional Methods (10 hours field experience per week)  
EDU 5402 Principles and Practices of Special Education  
EDU 5500 Literacy Acquisition and Development  
EDU 5503 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas  
EDU 6335 Assessment in Inclusive Classrooms, grades 7-12  

II. Subject Specific Requirements 9 credits
(based on your area of concentration)

A. Business and Marketing (HEGIS 0838)
Any ACC, FIN, MGT, or MKT graduate level courses

B. English (HEGIS 0802)
Any LIT graduate level courses

C. Foreign Languages and Literatures(HEGIS 0802)
Spanish: Any SPN graduate level courses
French: Any FRN graduate level courses

D. Math (HEGIS 0802)
Any MTH graduate level courses

E. Science (HEGIS 0802)
Any BIO, CHM, ESC, NSM, or PHY graduate level courses

F. Social Studies (HEGIS 0802)
Any SSC graduate level courses

III. Educational Research/Field Study 6 credits
*Should be taken semester prior to EDU 7398
*Offered fall and spring semesters only.
EDU 7302 Educational Research Methodology  
EDU 7398 Educational Research Project  

IV. Methods of Teaching 6 credits, 3 non-degree credits
EDU 6389 Secondary Subject Methods Seminar  
EDU 6391 Secondary Student Teaching Seminar  
EDU 6392 Student Teaching: Secondary  

Continuance in the program is dependent upon the student maintaining a 3.0 GPA. If a student receives a course grade lower that a C, the student is required to meet with a Adolescence Education Advisor and the department’s review committee in order to determine whether that grade should receive degree credit.

Keeping a personal professional portfolio, graduate students provide for faculty and themselves a window on their work, performance, growth, and development. Candidates are informed that the program incorporates portfolio utilization as an integral part of teacher preparation and as a chronological record of professional growth, formal and informal evaluation and self evaluation.

The Academic Services Center provides for individualized and group tutoring and the Teacher Academic Competency Team (TACT) in the School of Education provides correctives and remediation for students encountering difficulty in their studies. If necessary, the Department Chair of Adolescence Education and the Director of Student Teacher Placement may counsel students out of the program.

Adolescence Degree Requirements for
Certified Teachers 36 credits total

Students must hold certification in Secondary Education or Adolescence Education prior to entering this program.

I. Core Requirements 15 credits
EDU 5301 Human Development and the Learning Process in Adolescence Education  
EDU 5301 Human Development and the Learning Process in Adolescence Education  
EDU 5305 Curricular Trends in Adolescence Education  
EDU 5503 Teaching Reading in Content Areas  
EDU 5611 Computer Awareness for Teachers  
EDU 6335 Assessment in Inclusive Classrooms, grades 7-12  

II. Foundations of Education 3 credits
EDU 5300 Human Relations for Teachers  
EDU 5303 School Law  
EDU 5304 Philosophy of Education  

III. Subject Specific Requirements 12 credits
based on your area of concentration

A. Business and Marketing (HEGIS 0838)
Any ACC, FIN, MGT, or MKT graduate level courses

B. English (HEGIS 0802)
Any LIT graduate level courses

C. Foreign Languages and Literatures (HEGIS 0802)
Spanish: Any SPN graduate level courses
French: Any FRN graduate level courses

D. Math (HEGIS 0802)
Any MTH graduate level courses

E. Music (HEGIS 0832)
Any MUS graduate level courses

F. Science (HEGIS 0802)
Any BIO, CHM, ESC, NSM, or PHY graduate level courses

G. Social Studies (HEGIS 0802)
Any SSC graduate level courses

H. Visual Arts (HEGIS 0831)
Any VIS graduate level courses

IV. Educational Research/Field Study 6 credits
EDU 7302* Educational Research Methodology  

*Should be taken semester prior to EDU 7398
*Offered fall and spring semesters only.
EDU 7398 Educational Research Project