Department of Education

Initial Teacher Education Programs (MS in Teaching)

Admission Requirements
Contact Information

PROGRAM: Advanced Transition B

Degree: None - This program is for applicants seeking initial teaching certification who already have a master’s degree in the subject they wish to teach. Subject areas available at Iona are Biology, English, Italian, Mathematics, History (for Social Studies), and Spanish. It results in eligibility for initial certification, not another master’s degree

The Master of Science in Teaching programs are intended for those seeking initial teaching certification in Early Childhood/Childhood, or Adolescence Education. Most students in this program work full-time and pursue the degree on a part-time basis, averaging six credits per semester. Degree requirements vary and you will work with your advisor to develop your program plan. For qualified students.

Campus Location:

New Rochelle Rockland Graduate Center

Accreditation: NCATE: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Does the program lead to licensure?
Students who have completed the program and have a master’s degree in the subject area in which certification is sought and have completed all requirements set by New York State, may apply for initial teaching certification in New York State

Specific focus of the program:
Enable content area specialists to complete the pedagogy and teaching experience components required to apply for initial certification in NYS.

Key features:

• NCATE accreditation (national recognition)
• Iona is well-recognized and regarded as a major teacher-training institution
• Enables qualified candidates to enter the classroom as a full-time teacher after completing five graduate courses
• Close mentoring by Iona faculty and faculty in which teaching takes place
• Small class sizes give students the opportunity to be closely mentored by the faculty
• Courses may be completed on either campus
• Broad array of computer resources available on both campuses

Sample job titles of alumni:
Teacher
Department chair
Assistant principal
Principal
Superintendent

Calendar:
Semester
Two hours, one evening a week
Some courses offered by distance-learning

Entry terms: Spring only; initial courses taken in spring and summer terms

Application deadline: November 1

Average courseload per term: 2 courses (three credits each)

Credits to completion: 21-24 depending upon evaluation

Average time to complete the program:
Two terms (spring and summer) to complete the five courses required before initial teaching job; additional courses taken while teaching, so courseload is determined by student and will dictate time to completion

Out-of-classroom activities required:
Ten hours of fieldwork are required for every education class.

Internship/practicum required for degree completion:
Student is required to obtain a full-time teaching job in the subject area in grades 7-12 in the fall after entry. Commitment is made to that school for three years, during which student is closely mentored by Iona faculty and faculty at the host school. Note: the full-time teaching job is not assigned by Iona, it is secured by the student.

Required academic preparation or background experience:
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and master’s degree in the subject area

Admission requirements:

• Application for admission
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• Minimum GPA 3.0
• Interview (interviews occur only in November/December)
• Autobiography/statement on desire to enter the teaching profession
• Satisfactory completion of all prerequisites as determined by the MST evaluation

Cross reference:

• MST in Early Childhood/Childhood Education
• MST in Adolescence Education (specializations in Biology, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish)
• MSEd in Adolescence Education (specializations in Biology, English, Italian, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish)
• MSEd in Literacy Education
• MSEd in Educational Leadership
• Courses for extension of certification to middle-school
• MS in Educational Technology
• Certificate in Educational Technology (leads to extension of certification)

Department Contact: Dr. Catherine O’Callaghan (914) 633-2210 cocallaghan@iona.edu

Admissions Contact: (914) 633-2502 admissions@iona.edu

Back to Top