Masters of Liberal Studies and Teacher Certification
After February 2004--Students with initial certification have
five years to obtain professional certification. The three options
for master's programs to work with teacher certification are restricted
to the following:
- Teacher Education Programs Leading to Another Certificate
The master's degree may be based upon completing a teacher certification
program leading to a certificate in a title other than that of the Initial
certificate. The master's degree may be completed toward a classroom
teaching, pupil personnel or supervisory/administrative certificate.
The MALS program is not a program registered to lead to any certification
area.
- Master's Degree in the Initial Certificate Content or Related Areas
The master's degree may also be in the same content area of the Initial
certificate or in a closely related subject area.
If the State has said that any liberal arts master's degree is related
to the teaching certificate-Early Childhood, Childhood, and Special
Education-then the MALS program meets this option.
- Required Coursework for Those with Unrelated Master's
If the master's degree is in neither of the two above categories, the
applicant for Professional certification must complete twelve graduate
credits of graduate study in the content or related area of the Initial
certificate.
The MALS generally falls into this category. Note the three exceptions
in #2. Refer to the Advisement Guide for course work that must be taken
at SUNY College at Brockport to satisfy the twelve graduate credits.
Also, note the certification areas where SUNY College at Brockport has
no courses that satisfy the twelve-credit requirement: Business and
Marketing and Family and Consumer Science. In most cases, students in
the MALS program will be able to take those twelve credits as part of
the program. However, because the MALS program only accepts nine credits of electives from any one discipline, for some students,
one additional course must be taken to meet the requirements for their
certification area.
Note--Prior to 2004--Students with provisional certification have
five years to meet criteria for permanent certification. Master's
programs that work with Teacher Certification are any programs that are
functionally relevant. The MALS program is not registered with New York
State, but the State does accept it to meet the requirements for permanent
certification.
The Liberal Studies application fee is $50 and does not include the certification
fee of $30 which covers the services of the Office of Certification for
programs registered to lead to a certificate. Students wishing to complete
the requirements for permanent or professional teacher certification through
the MALS program apply directly to the State for their certificate or
see their local BOCES representative. Applications may be downloaded at
www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/.
Further questions or requests for information regarding Teacher Certification
may be referred to the Coordinator of Certification,
Karen McCarthy, (585) 395-2344, Room 254 Albert W. Brown Building.
Teacher Certification applications are available online at: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/. Click here for information to assist in completing the online application for NYS Certification.
Further information regarding Teachers Certification can also be obtained
at the following links: