Program Overview

Adolescence Education Grades 7-12

The Master of Science in Secondary Education, Grades 7-12, is a 30-credit program that leads to initial professional certification. This program has subject concentrations for English, Math, Social Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science.

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Secondary Education, Grades 7-12, is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching at the secondary level. The program requires the completion of 30 credits and leads to initial professional certification. Professional certification candidates must have completed three years of teaching in the area of the certificate.

Career Opportunities

Students who complete this program can pursue careers as:

• High school teacher, grades 9–12
• Middle school teacher, grades 7–8
• English, mathematics, social studies, or science teacher
• Positions in New York public and private schools

The Mercy Advantage

The program offers a dual certification path, which includes 39 credits and leads to certification in Adolescence Education, Grades 7–12, and Teaching Students with Disabilities.

Program Details and Curriculum

The Master of Science in Secondary Education, Grades 7–12, requires the completion of 30 credits. The program includes courses in TESOL, educational psychology and adolescent development, and educational foundations for students with disabilities.

Program Outcomes

By the end of this program, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a solid content knowledge base that enables them to deliver effective educational and professional services based on current research, theory, and practice
• Employ multiple pedagogical and professional strategies and tools to enable them to be effective practitioners in educational settings and deliver services that promote students' intellectual, social, and emotional development
• Understand the diverse cultural, linguistic, learning, and social strengths and needs of all populations, and incorporate and demonstrate sensitivity to the richness of diverse cultures when providing educational and other school services
• Employ technology to deliver information, instruction, and professional services to all members of the school community
• Reflect on professional practice to make educational decisions and enhance student learning
• Demonstrate positive dispositions that enable them to work as effective educators, citizens, and practitioners within the school and broader community

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must:

• Have a bachelor's degree
• Submit official transcripts
• Provide a résumé
• Submit an Effective Educator Statement

Full-Time Faculty

The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty, including:

• Eric Martone, Dean, School of Education, and Professor, Secondary Education
• William Farber, Associate Professor, Secondary Education
• Amanda Gunning, Professor, Secondary Education
• Nancy N. Heilbronner, Associate Professor, Secondary Education

Part-Time Faculty

The program also includes part-time faculty, including:

• Howard M. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Secondary Education
• Andrew C. Peiser, Senior Lecturer, Secondary Education

Academic Sequence Maps

Academic sequence maps are available for the following programs:

• 2025-2026 M.S. Adolescence Education Biology SWD Grades 7-12 Initial
• 2025-2026 M.S. Adolescence Education Biology - Grades 7-12 Initial AISS
• 2025-2026 M.S. Adolescence Education Chemistry, Grades 7-12 - Initial - AICS
• 2025-2026 M.S. Adolescence Education Earth Science, Grades 7-12 - Initial - AIGS
• 2025-2026 M.S. Adolescence Education English SWD Grades 7-12 Initial AIED
• 2025-2026 M.S. Adolescence Education - English - Initial AIES