Niagara University’s College of Education now offers a fully online master’s degree program in elementary and secondary education. The 39-credit-hour program is designed for candidates who wish to become certified teachers in New York state. Bridge courses are available for students seeking certification in other countries, including Canada.
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university to be admitted into the program. To accommodate professional schedules, both daytime and evening courses are offered on two consecutive days per week. The final semester, which includes the student-teaching placement/practicum, requires a full-time commitment, and Niagara University’s exclusive agreements with local school districts allows candidates to be paid while completing this real-world classroom work.
Full-time students who start in the summer semester can complete the program in one calendar year, while those who begin in the fall or spring can complete the program in 15 months. Part-time options are also available.
Core courses include content in education foundations, policies and practices in student assessment, and classroom strategies and modifications necessary to enhance student learning. The program leads to initial certification in early childhood and childhood education (birth-grade 6/primary-junior grades) or middle childhood and adolescence (grades 5-12/intermediate-senior grades).
“This online option makes our high-quality, nationally accredited programs accessible to busy professionals who want to pursue a fulfilling career as educators,” said Dr. Chandra Foote, dean of NU’s College of Education. “Our programs are consistently named among the best in New York state, which is a testament to our ability to equally engage both our online and face-to-face students in meaningful graduate work.”
For more information, contact Therese Losardo, assistant director of graduate admissions, Niagara University College of Education, at losardo@niagara.edu or 716.286.8547.