About the Program

Accredited: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE)

Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.

This graduate program is designed to provide maximum flexibility in meeting individual interests while ensuring a broad understanding of the various aspects of the teaching of English. The program develops highly qualified teachers who are prepared to exercise leadership as accomplished professional educators.

Culminating Activity (students choose one of three options): In consultation with a full-time faculty member in the English education program, students choose to

1. complete the master’s thesis, a traditional in-depth exploration, usually of a literary topic and/or theme;

2. complete a master’s project consisting of applied research in English education; or

3. take an English comprehensive examination.

Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops.

About the English Department

208 Ketchum Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5417
Fax:
https://english.buffalostate.edu/

Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).

2. 36 credit hours in English beyond freshman composition, including preparation in linguistics, young adult literature, American literature (including ethnic American literature), British literature (including Shakespeare), and World literature.

3. 27 credit hours in professional education, including secondary English methods and student teaching in middle or secondary schools.

4. Initial certificate in English 7-12.

In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate program section in the Graduate Catalog.

Program Requirements

English Courses 9-15 credit hours
At least three courses must be in Literature 9-15

English Education and Professional Education Courses (15-21 credit hours)
SPF 500 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION 3
ENG 691 ADVANCED STUDY IN THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH (7-12) 3
or ENG 692 THE TEACHING OF WRITING
ENG 693 RESEARCH IN THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH (7-12) (recommended after ENG 691 or ENG 692 when possible.) 3

Two additional English education and/or professional education courses *1 6

Master's Project, Master's Thesis, or Comprehensive Examination (0-6 credit hours)
Select one from the following: 0-6
ENG 690 MASTER'S PROJECT
ENG 695 MASTER'S THESIS (3-6)
Comprehensive Examination

Total Credit Hours 30

*1 Possible English courses: ENG 691, ENG 692, ENG 694, or ENG 670. Students may take both ENG 691 and ENG 692. Students also may select graduate courses from other appropriate departments, such as exceptional education, educational foundations, and elementary education and reading, under advisement.

Professional Licensure Disclosure
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.

Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.

Review full disclosure and licensure by state (PDF, 132 KB)