Master of Science in Teaching, Adolescence Education & Students With Disabilities
Teaching is truly a noble calling. Enriching young minds through education is one of the most important contributions you can make to society, and to future generations. As a teacher, you will inspire young people to flourish and open doors that spark their curiosity, gifts, and passions.
Ignite your career teaching adolescents in grades 7-12 in the Master of Science in Teaching (MST) program in Adolescence Education at St. Thomas Aquinas College. Our faculty of experienced educators and practitioners will challenge you to achieve your full potential through a rigorous curriculum and valuable field experiences. Learn to create inclusive learning environments that celebrate diversity and build a portfolio of content-driven teaching strategies to instill your students’ lifelong love of learning. Propel your career forward by putting learning into practice in the student-teaching capstone experience, and take advantage of a wide range of career opportunities made possible through our partnerships with local school districts.
Designed for students who earned an undergraduate degree in another field of study and for those who are changing careers, this program will prepare you to teach students at the secondary school level. Based on your background and interests you can select one of the following areas for certification; English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. You also have the option of pursuing a degree in Adolescence and Special Education and earn a second certification in Special Education.
At a glance
- 39 Credit Graduate Program
Only at St. Thomas Aquinas College
Only at St. Thomas Aquinas College
St. Thomas Aquinas College was founded as a teacher’s college. We have a long legacy of preparing knowledgeable, caring educators who are passionate about learning, teaching, and making a difference in the world, one student at a time.
Join our close-knit academic community of experts who will support you personally in advancing to the next level of your career.
Earn Your Degree on Your Time
Designed with working professionals in mind, all classes are conveniently held in the late afternoon and evening. The MST program can be completed in 16 months or at your own pace to balance work commitments and studies.
Keep Exploring
Featured Courses
Examine the national and NYS Regents standards for teaching and learning English Language Arts in grades 7-12. Learn how to organize the curriculum, use instructional methods and strategies, and create supportive and inclusive learning environments that inspire students of all learning abilities.
Address students’ diverse learning styles in this course that emphasizes active learning strategies to teach social studies, based on the National Council for Social Studies and New York State curriculum standards.
Make the most of your student teaching experience in this concurrent seminar that will inspire you to reflect, self-evaluate, and evolve as a teacher. Embracing this process as a student will propel your professional development throughout your teaching career and make it possible to empower your students to achieve their potential.
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of the capstone experience, student teaching, our adolescence education students find full-time employment at many school districts and education systems throughout New York and New Jersey, including:
- Clarkstown North/South High Schools
- North Rockland High School
- Tappan Zee High School
- Pearl River High School
- Monroe-Woodbury High School
- Spring Valley High School
- Suffern High School
- Edison Intermediate School
Program options
The MST in Adolescence Education or Adolescence Education and Students with Disabilities will provide the foundations for dual certification and to effectively teach children in grades 7-12 with diverse learning needs and abilities.
St. Thomas Aquinas College offers a MST in Childhood Education with options to pursue the degree in Childhood Education or Childhood Education and Special Education.
The MST in Art Education prepares students to become certified in Art Education or Art Education and Special Education. In New York State, the Art certification encompasses all grades, K-12. The Special Education Certification is for grades 1-6 or 7-12. Students combining Art with Special Education may choose Art K-12 and Special Education, grades 1-6, or Art K-12 and Special Education, grades 7-12.
Graduates of the MST programs are invited to return to St. Thomas Aquinas College to pursue post-master’s certificates in literacy or special education at alumni discounted rates to qualify for additional certifications and salary increases.