Your Path to Professional Teaching Certification for New York State

The Master of Arts in Educational Psychology meets the academic requirements for New York State Professional Teacher Certification. Public, private, and international school teachers explore the psychology of being an excellent educator in this New York State Department of Education approved program.

Two tracks – Childhood Education (grades 1-6) and Adolescent Education (grades 7-12) plus Middle School Extension (grades 5-6)

Courses are designed to address your teaching needs. Concentrations of courses are specifically designed for the unique needs of the age and development level of students you teach. Both tracks of the M.A. in Educational Psychology require the successful completion of 36 credit hours of coursework. 

Childhood Education (grades 1-6)

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.

Adolescent Education (grades 7-12) plus Middle School Extension (grades 5-6)

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).

Electronic Portfolio

In order to graduate with a master's degree, all teacher education candidates are required to complete, submit, and defend an electronic portfolio based on the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards as their capstone project. 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 throughout the semester in order to receive guidance and help to complete their electronic portfolio. Candidates will complete, submit, and defend their electronic portfolio in their last semester. Completion is recorded when the portfolio is passed. Passing the electronic portfolio is a requirement for the master's degree.

Accreditation 

Marist teacher preparation programs at the Initial Certification and Advanced Certification levels are registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Marist is a member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).