Master's in Adolescence Education (MSED) Program

Get your teaching certification in ONE year.

This master's level degree program provides individuals who have a baccalaureate degree in a content subject the opportunity to become initially certified to teach that subject in grades 7-12 in New York state. Should you be interested in working outside of New York state, our certification office will advise you on obtaining certificates in other states.

Are you interested in teaching grades 7-12?

We offer certification programs in the following content areas:

English
Spanish
History (and/or political science)
Mathematics
Biology

Chemistry
Physics
French
Latin
Earth Science

Starting a teaching career is easier than you think

This master's program provides individuals who have a baccalaureate degree in a content subject the opportunity to become initially certified to teach that subject in grades 7-12 in New York state.*

In some cases, 30 college credits in a content area may be sufficient to pursue the 7-12 teaching credential, even if your college major was in another field.

The Adolescence Education program not only provides you with opportunities to build and refine your knowledge about teaching, it also engages you in extensive experiences interning and teaching in secondary classrooms.

Clinical experiences include a 30-hour tutoring program, an intensive clinical experience in the semester(s) prior to student teaching, and a semester-long, full-time student teaching experience. One of the hallmarks of our program is the partnerships with school districts, and that the SBU Office of Educator Preparation Placement and Certification arranges all placements for students.

*Should you be interested in working outside of New York state, our certification office will advise you on obtaining certificates in other states.

Convenient online delivery

Coursework is 100% online and students complete in-person clinical experiences in their local area.

We know the challenges of completing an advanced degree while balancing full time school work and home life. For your convenience, MSED in Adolescence Education courses are 100% online, and you can connect with professors and class members virtually. Students then satisfy in-person clinical experience requirements in their local area.

Students begin their program in the summer semester.

This program can be completed in one year. Students who wish to attend part time need to discuss this with the program director to arrange an extended program schedule.

Students may complete either a one-semester traditional student teaching placement or a one-year paid teacher residency. Teacher residency allows the student to be paid by a school district for the duration of a school year (1000 hours). Residency would begin in the fall semester and continue through the end of the school year in June. For more information on teacher residency, contact the program director.

Upon successful completion of the graduate Adolescence Education program at St. Bonaventure University, graduates:

will have acquired a strong foundation in developmental learning theories, pedagogy, principles of classroom management, and sound educational research for use in adapting curriculum and teaching to support the learning and development of all adolescents (Development, Learning & Motivation);
will have achieved mastery of the content knowledge in their chosen area of specialization and will be able to create instructional opportunities that will enable and motivate all students to understand and apply knowledge, skills, and ideas to real world issues (Curriculum);
will be able to apply their content knowledge base, foundation in theory and pedagogy, and instructional skills and strategies to actual classroom practice in order to construct learning opportunities supportive of the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of a diverse student population (Instruction);
will know and be able to utilize a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques — aligned with current state, national and local learning standards — in order to evaluate the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of all adolescents (Assessment).
will be able to utilize appropriate communication and collaboration skills within the spectrum of a school community; demonstrate commitment to continual learning in order to make wise decisions and work to address evolving issues; and continue to be reflective practitioners who exhibit commitment to the profession's code of ethics (Professionalism).

Dean's Scholarship

Our Dean's Scholarship can save you 20% on your graduate program.

Those preparing to teach math, languages or science may be eligible to benefit from the federal TEACH Grant program and/or the New York State Math & Science Teaching Incentive. Those pursuing the Reading Specialist or Students with Disabilities certification may also be TEACH Grant eligible. See the Other Sources of Aid page for more information.

For more information, visit our Graduate Tuition and Financial Aid page in Graduate Admissions & Aid.

MSED Program Course Sampling

EDUC-500 (Research Methods in the Education Profession): In this foundational course, students delve into research methodologies and tools essential for advancing educational practices, from qualitative and quantitative analysis to interpreting data that informs instructional decisions.

EDUC-505 (Technology for Education Professionals): Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge digital tools and strategies to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and learning outcomes in diverse educational settings.

READ-525 (Literacy in the Secondary School): This course prepares educators to foster a love for reading while addressing challenges such as comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills in secondary education.

ADED-588 (Secondary Student Teaching): Through hands-on teaching experience, this capstone course prepares candidates to navigate the challenges of modern classrooms while inspiring adolescent learners to reach their full potential.

ADED-528 (Legal Issues for Teachers): This course equips educators with a thorough understanding of the legal principles and policies that impact teaching, including student rights, teacher responsibilities, and school governance.

Voss & Schrems present at Literacy Institute Mega Conference

Feb 09, 2024 | Dr. Sheri B. Voss, assistant professor of MSED B-12 reading literacy, and Dr. Tracy Schrems, assistant professor of adolescence education, presented a reading initiative in Houston, Texas, at the National Literacy Institute Mega Educators Conference in early November.

St. Bonaventure University’s School of Education approved for CAEP accreditation

May 18, 2023 | The School of Education at St. Bonaventure University has received accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), an internationally recognized accrediting body that works to ensure excellence in education preparation programs.

Schrems to present paper at conference for English teachers

Apr 28, 2022 | Dr. Tracy Schrems, assistant professor of adolescence education, will present a paper at the 2022 annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), to be held Nov. 17–20 in Anaheim, California.

Dr. René Garrison

Dean of the School of Education; Program Director; Associate Professor

(716) 375-2394

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Plassmann Hall B33

Office of Graduate Admissions

PO Box 2520, St. Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure, NY 14778

(716) 375-2021

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Speak ONE-ON-ONE with an Admissions counselor to find out if our program is a good fit for your career goals.

Whether you have a simple question or need advice to determine if this program is right for you, our knowledgeable advisers are here to help. They can chat with you on your schedule and guide you through the entire admissions process, so you can feel confident moving forward with your St. Bonaventure University program.