M.S.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary Education - Online

What grade levels can I obtain certification in?

• Elementary (Birth – 6) certification – also referred to as early childhood and childhood education, and primary/junior grades. Upon completion of the program, students will hold a master of science in education degree.
• Secondary (5 – 12) certification – also referred to as middle childhood and adolescence education, and intermediate/senior grades. Upon completion of the program, students will hold a master of science in education degree.

When can I start the program?

Niagara University offers three entry points: Summer (May), Spring (January), or Fall (August).

How long is the program?

The program requires at least 39 credit hours and takes 3 semesters to complete. The program can be completed in one calendar year with a summer start. Students who begin in the fall or spring can complete the program in 15 months.

Bridge courses are available for students seeking certification in other countries.

Are all courses offered online?

Yes, the program is 100% online. Most courses will be synchronous with designated meeting times. Students will join a virtual meeting with their professors and classmates on the scheduled meeting dates and times. Students are expected to be online the entire time with their camera on and ready to actively participate in class. Some courses are offered asynchronously, which means there is no designated meeting time for the class. Assignments and exams are to be completed according to the syllabus provided by the professor.

How many days per week is the program?

• Courses are scheduled 2-3 days per week. You must also factor in time for your field experiences.
• The final semester includes the student-teaching placement / practicum and requires a full-time commitment.

I’ve heard the program at Niagara University is a cohort-based program. What is a cohort-based program?

Cohort-based programs are programs in which candidates attend courses and field experiences as a specific group earning their degrees together in a professional learning community. A cohort approach takes a diverse group of students and builds them into a community of teacher-learners by structuring their class schedules together and by teaching them in a way that emphasizes collegiality. The learning of each individual will assist the learning of others; the accomplishments of one should help all. This adds to the peer support that candidates experience within their group while at Niagara University, in field experiences, student teaching and later as alumni.

The model is based on a set of principles known as constructivism in which the program is built on the sound research base of cooperative learning and is consistent with recent findings on successful professional growth projects. It provides a laboratory of meaningful interaction and offers the opportunity to develop professional dispositions and leadership skills on a daily basis. Further, the program utilizes team strategies drawn from the business and athletic worlds and fuses them into a collaborative school faculty. Candidates and professors alike find cohort-based programs to be a positive and dynamic learning experience.

Do I get to pick my schedule?

Since the program is cohort-based, your courses assigned. You may have some flexibility in sections, depending on your major.

Can I complete the program as a part-time student?

Yes, we offer part-time options. Students can take anywhere from 1-4 courses as a part-time student. The program advisor works individually with part-time students to create a schedule that fits their needs.

What is the field experience requirement of the program?

Field experiences are designed to provide practical experience in various types of schools, learning environments, grade levels (as they apply to the certificate), and in the diversity of the student population in classrooms. The following field experiences are embedded into the program.

• Impact Placement – (75 hours) Early field experience that give students the opportunity to experience the classroom from a teacher’s perspective.
• Teaching Assistantship Experience – (75 hours) These placements involve teacher candidates working with local students.
• Student Teaching Practicum – (Two 7-week (or one 14-week) full-time placement) Each placement will address a different grade level to provide students with a variety of experiences. The Field Experience Office facilitates placement and works with numerous school districts and boards locally, nationally and internationally.

Policies & procedures for field experience at the graduate level

I’ve heard that Niagara University’s program is accredited by CAEP, what does that mean?

Professional accreditation of preparatory programs is the bedrock upon which all professions (e.g., architecture, engineering, medicine, law) have built their reputations. It assures that those entering the respective field have been suitably prepared to practice through assimilation of a body of knowledge and pre-service practice in the profession. Accreditation of schools of education indicates that the school underwent rigorous external review by professionals, that performance of a teacher candidate in the program has been thoroughly assessed before he or she is recommended for licensure, and that programs meet standards set by the teaching profession at large.

CAEP advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. CAEP determines which schools, colleges, and departments of education meet rigorous national standards in preparing teachers and other school specialists for the classroom.

• CAEP

What are the virtual learning expectations?

The Teacher Education Department outlines Online Learning Expectations that students acknowledge before beginning the program.

What are the professional disposition expectations?

The Teacher Education Department outlines the following professional dispositions for teacher candidates.

What NYS certification exams are students (both US & Canadian) required to take and pass for certification?

• Educating All Students Test (EAS)
• Content Specialty Test (CST) 
  • Secondary (Intermediate/Senior) candidates take the CST subject test in concentration area (1st teachable) 
  • US Elementary candidates must take both the Birth-2 Multi-Subject CST and 1-6 Multi-Subject CST
  • Ontario Elementary (Primary/Junior) candidates only take the 1-6 Multi-Subject CST
• New York State Certification Website

What is the deadline for applying?

Niagara University has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are considered as they are received and evaluated in a holistic fashion in keeping with the mission of the university. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application will be considered. Qualified students will continue to be accepted until the program is full.

Please note programs may fill up without advance notice.

What are the requirements to apply?

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college of university is required for admission. In addition to the online application, students must also submit the following materials:

1. Two letters of recommendation (academic, professional or volunteer are acceptable)
2. Official transcript(s) from all previous attended colleges/universities
3. A Statement of Intent
4. Official SAT/ACT/GRE or Accuplacer exam scores within the last 6 years

All documents can be uploaded as a PDF or Word document directly into the online application. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution either electronically to Grad Education or mailed to our office address:

Niagara University Graduate Education Office
Academic Complex, Room 221
5795 Lewiston Road
Niagara University, NY 14109

Please visit our Graduate Education application requirements page for additional details.

Are there any prerequisite course requirements?

The Elementary Education program requires a college-level course in math, science, social studies, and English from an accredited college or university. Students may still be admitted into the program if they are missing no more then 2 of these prerequisite courses. Any missing courses will be noted in the acceptance letter, students should complete any missing courses prior to starting the graduate program.

Prerequisite courses can be taken at any accredited university, college, or community college. Institutions are now offering flexible formatting of classes, express classes, staggered starts, intersession classes, distance education and online classes, etc. If the course is taken at a college/community college it needs to be for college-level credit. Upon completion of required coursework, official transcripts (with credits at least three hours/units or .5 credits) must be submitted to Niagara University with documentation with the credits and grade/mark earned.

The Secondary Program does not require any prerequisite courses. However, students must have 36-credit hours of college-level coursework in their content area in order to qualify.

Can students take a CLEP exam to meet prerequisite requirements?

Yes. Credit is awarded for scores of 50 or above on all CLEP examinations.

• CLEP

What is the GPA requirement to be considered for the program?

You need a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Individuals applying to the secondary program also need a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their content area(s). Individuals who fall below this requirement can still apply. We are able to accept a small percentage of students who fall below this minimum average.

What if I am “in progress” with a scheduled graduation date?

Individuals who are still students and currently “in progress” with a graduation date planned before the start of Niagara University’s program need to indicate this on their application. Please submit with your application your “in progress” official transcript showing classes you are currently enrolled in. A final transcript will be required once your degree is conferred and posted.

Where can I find information about admission events?

More information pertaining to Niagara’s teacher education program can be found online on our Admission events page. Times and dates for upcoming events are posted regularly on our website.

It is highly recommended that you attend an information session to ask questions, meet our faculty & staff, and learn more about our program.

Does it matter if I only have a 3-year bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree is required for the program. An honors is not necessary, thus a 3-year bachelor’s degree will satisfy admission requirements.

How soon will I receive an admission decision after completing my application?

Only complete applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Admission decisions are usually sent out within 1-3 weeks after completing all items within the application.

What if I do not have any standardized test scores to submit?

Niagara University offers the Accuplacer assessment as a testing option. The Accuplacer is a remotely-proctored exam that can be taken on your home computer and scheduled at any time. The exam is untimed and tests your knowledge of arithmetic, reading, and writing. The arithmetic and reading sections include 20 multiple choice questions, and the writing section includes 25 multiple choice questions. There is a proctoring fee of $25 USD.

• Practice materials are available online.

Vouchers for the exam are issued via email once your graduate application is submitted.

Can I be certified to teach in Ontario after completing this program?

Yes. Successful completion of this 39 credit-hour program leads to certification in New York State and Ontario. It is important to note:

• Canadian students must first obtain NYS certification in order to be eligible to apply for certification with conditions in Ontario.
• Candidates take EDU681PA in the first semester as a bridge course
• Candidates will then have five years to complete additional course work to meet the 60 credit-hour requirement for permanent certification in Ontario. This can be achieved by taking schedule-C AQ (Additional Qualification) courses that can be fulfilled while working as an O.C.T qualified teacher.

How do US college/university credit hours equate to credits in Canada?

US college courses are semester based and are worth 3 college/university credit hours/units and usually equal .5 credit at Canadian institutions (though some Canadian institutions are on the hour system). Many Canadian courses are full year, which would equate to 6 credit hours. Six full year courses (or 12 half credits) would equate to 36 college / university credit hours in the US.

What are the Teachables for Secondary Education that Niagara University offers?

• Business Studies – Accounting
• Business Studies – Entrepreneurship
• Business Studies – General
• Business Studies – Information and Communication Technology
• Computer Studies
• Dramatic Arts (2nd only)
• Economics
• English
• Environmental Science
• French as a 2nd Language
• Geography
• History
• International Languages
• International Languages – Arabic
• International Languages – Italian
• International Languages – Mandarin
• International Languages – Spanish
• Law
• Mathematics
• Politics
• Philosophy
• Religious Education in Catholic schools
• Science – General
• Science – Biology
• Science – Chemistry
• Science – Physics
• Social Science – General
• Visual Arts

Two teachables are required for students seeking certification in Ontario.

How many credits do I need if I want to teach secondary in the my 1st and 2nd teachable?

The first specific teachable area requires what constitutes a major in that discipline, generally between 6 full year courses (12 half-year courses). The second teachable area requires what constitutes a minor in that discipline, generally 3 full year courses (6 half-year courses).

Who can I contact for assistance if I am an international student?

International Relations Office
716.286.8728

Who can I contact if I have VISA questions?

• Phone: 716-286-8728

Can I apply while waiting to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

Yes, you may apply while waiting for a scheduled exam. However, conditional admission is not provided to international students. We must receive your scores before official admission decisions will be made.

What is you institutional code so that TOEFL can send Niagara University the score directly?

The TOEFL code for Niagara University is 2558.

Are Canadian students eligible to complete field experiences in the US?

Canadian students/citizens are not permitted to complete field experiences and/or student teaching in the United States unless they are a dual citizen.