The Master of Arts in Educational Psychology meets the academic requirements for New York State Professional Teaching Certification and is designed to explore what is known about teaching and learning and to actively practice implementing that knowledge in educational settings. The M.A. in Educational Psychology program has two tracks. The first track meets the academic requirements for application to Professional Certification in Childhood Education (grades 1-6) for candidates with initial teacher certification in this area. The second track meets the academic requirements for application to Professional Certification in Adolescent Education (grades 7-12) and is designed for candidates who possess initial certification in one of the Adolescence Education areas: History, Science (Biology or Chemistry), Mathematics, Languages (French or Spanish), and English. Also, the second track meets the academic requirements for initial and professional certification in Middle School Extension (grades 5-6). Upon completing the M.A. in Educational Psychology program, candidates applying for the Professional Teaching Certification in Adolescence Education will thus meet the master’s degree requirements for Middle School Extension (grades 5-6). Both tracks of the M.A. in Educational Psychology entail the successful completion of 36 credit hours of coursework. Both tracks are oriented around a pedagogical core curriculum described below. All candidates complete this Pedagogical Core curriculum and other required courses as listed in the Curriculum Summary section. In addition, all teacher education candidates in order to graduate with a Masters degree are required to complete, submit, and defend an electronic portfolio based on the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, as their capstone project for completing the Masters program. The electronic portfolio demonstrates the professional knowledge and skills candidates have developed across the program. This is a multimedia, standards-based document that is stored online. An early course - Content Area Assessment and Portfolio Development, (EPSY 506) prepares candidates to use the online Marist system for portfolio development. Candidates are required, in their last semester in the program, to participate in meetings across the semester in order to receive guidance and help to complete their electronic portfolio. Candidates will complete, submit, and defend their electronic portfolio in front of an evaluation committee, no later than five years from matriculation. Completion is recorded when the portfolio is passed. Passing the electronic portfolio is a requirement for the Masters degree.

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