Educational Technology Specialist

专业详情

This Master of Arts degree program leads to an initial K-12 teaching certificate in New York State as an Educational Technology Specialist. This degree program is designed for individuals who do not hold any current New York State teaching certifications. Candidates are prepared to take on a variety of roles in schools, including but not limited to: coaching and supporting K-12 teachers in the design and implementation of technology-related curriculum and projects, designing and leading professional development sessions, working directly with students in STEM or STEAM Labs, as well as supporting schools in developing and implementing classes related to coding and computational thinking. Completing the program requires 38 points, and involves two semesters fieldwork/observation (a year-long total of 100 hours) and student teaching (a year-long total of 200 hours or 40 days of student teaching.

The M.A. degree program for Educational Technology Specialist K-12 Certification: TETS Track, is a 38-point program. There are two tracks for the overall degree program: one for students who hold an existing New York teaching certification and one for students who do not. The TETS track is for those who do not hold any current teaching certifications. Students in this track come from a variety of backgrounds. Some may be career changers seeking to work with technology in schools and others may have teaching experience but no teacher certification. This M.A. degree program provides classroom experience: students complete two semesters of “practica,” one spent in elementary classrooms (K-6) and the other spent in secondary grades (7-12).

The program follows the International Standards for Technology Education (ISTE) Standards for Coaches and offers courses related to teaching and learning with technology through different perspectives: cognitive, social, cultural, and applied practice. Students are also encouraged to take courses related to the learning sciences, educational policy, and use of assistive technologies in special education. Each student’s program is different, depending upon students’ professional goals and interests. Students attend most courses face-to-face, but some of the courses are offered online.

Students can complete the degree program full-time in two years but have the option to attend part-time, as many students work during the day. In the second year, students register for “practica” during both the fall and spring semesters in the program. Completing the program requires 38 points, and involves two semesters fieldwork/observation (a year-long total of 100 hours) and student teaching (a year-long total of 200 hours or 40 days of student teaching. Students are strongly encouraged to make themselves available full-time for student teaching, but it is possible to complete student teaching part-time. Additional information regarding student teaching requirements are below.

Students must take coursework totaling 38 points.