Adolescent Social Studies - MA / Advanced Certificate

Admission Requirements

Master’s Degree

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0.

2. A major of at least 30 credits in one of the areas of social studies (history, political science, geography, or economics) with a GPA of 3.0, including at least 12 credits in history, 3 credits in geography, 3 credits in political science, and 3 credits in economics. The course work in history must include at least one course in each of the following areas: U.S. history, European history, and world or non-Western history.

3. A general education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include the following: 6 credits in English, 6 credits in a language other than English (3 years of high school study in the same foreign language with grades of C or better documented by high school transcript meets this requirement), 3 credits in the arts, and 12 credits in math/science/technology (a college course in calculus meets 6 credits of this requirement).

4. Two professional references.

5. A personal statement.

6. Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Advanced Certificate

1. An undergraduate major of at least 30 credits in one of the areas of social studies, and a master’s degree in the discipline (history, political science, geography, or economics) with a GPA of at least 3.3 from an accredited institution. Coursework at either the undergraduate or graduate level must include 21 credits of history, 3 credits in geography, 3 credits in political science and 3 credits in economics. The coursework in history must include at least one course in each of the following areas: U.S. history, European history, and world or non-Western history.

2. A general education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include the following (in addition to social studies): 6 credits in English, 6 credits in a language other than English (3 years of the same language in high school fulfills this requirement), 3 credits in the arts, and 12 credits in math/ science/ technology (a college course in calculus satisfies 6 credits of this requirement).

3. Two professional references.

4. A personal statement.

5. Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Progress Standards

A. 12-Credit Progress Standards for Matriculated Students

1. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0.

2. Students with more than one course grade below B in the first 12 credits of SEDC or SEDF course work will not be allowed to continue in the program.

3. Students who receive a grade of F in any course, including arts and sciences courses, in the first 12 credits will not be allowed to continue in the program.

4. Students with one grade of IN (Incomplete) within the first 12 credits are restricted from registering for more than one additional course. Those with two or more INs will not be allowed to register for any courses.
   Note: It is recommended that students with two or more INs take an official leave of absence

5. Advanced certificate students only: are required to take the Content Specialty Test (CST) of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and submit their scores to the School of Education before completing 12 credits of course work. Students who do not receive a passing score on the CST may be required to enroll in additional subject specific courses.

B. Fieldwork Benchmarks

• All field experiences and student teaching will take place in New York City public schools.

• Any student who receives a grade of B-, C+ or C in a supervised field experience or student teaching or practicum course must apply to the chairperson of the department for permission to repeat that course, which may be repeated only once. Any student who receives a grade of F or WU may not reregister and will not be allowed to continue in the program.

• Student teaching and practicum courses listed as “by permission only” will require that students have passed the EAS and the relevant CST certification exams.

• Students must have no outstanding IN grades or admissions conditions in order to be given permission for student teaching or practicum course.

Course of Study

Advanced certificate students take only the education courses in the program. Master’s degree students take both education courses and the history and geography courses listed below.

Total Credits

Advanced Certificate program - 26-27
Master’s Degree program - 44-45

Exit Requirements

1. An overall GPA of 3.0.

2. Master’s degree students will develop a professional teaching portfolio, which is a cumulative effort, integrating course and fieldwork throughout the program.

3. Master’s degree students must pass a comprehensive examination in their subject area administered by the department within the Arts and Sciences. 

4. Complete the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop.