Welcome

SUNY Cortland offers an innovative program in which social studies training is headed by a team of professional historians whose backgrounds combine extensive social studies experience, continuing scholarship, and teaching history in a range of settings (including college classes at Cortland).

Training in teaching methods and issues is approached through the discipline of history/social studies. Students who wish to teach social studies at the secondary level (grades 7-12) enroll in a dual major program that combines the Adolescence Education Social Studies major with a major in one of the following: African American Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, International Studies, Political Science or Sociology. (Most students choose history.)

Students combine one of the social science majors above with additional coursework that includes:  social sciences courses;  courses in adolescent development, teaching methods, language development, and literacy skills;  the Social Studies Professional Sequence, taken during a student's junior and senior years, which involves methods training and field work, and culminates in student teaching during spring semester of senior year.

Please see the “Program Requirements”

• SST-HIS dual major requirements
• SST-non-HIS major requirements (please see host department for requirements for the non-HIS social science major)

This preparation leads to initial certification in secondary social studies in a nationally recognized program taught by professional historians and master teachers. Teacher education at SUNY Cortland is also accredited by NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education).

How does the SST program compare to other NYS options for certification – especially for returning students who already have a Bachelor’s Degree or some teaching experience?

• SST-NYSED Certification Information
• What You Must Know about the SST Program
• SST Program Stages and Eligibility

Please note that student teaching placements are offered only in areas with existing SST Program infrastructure, including supervisors: Cortland, Syracuse, and Binghamton areas (within approximately 1 hour’s drive of these cities), New York City, and Long Island. College policy requires student teachers to be responsible for their transportation. Additional information can be found at the Field Placement Office website: http://www.cortland.edu/fieldplacement/

The program stresses the need for teachers to be 'human,' to build bridges to their students, to foster trust and communication.

Over the years I have hired a number of social studies teachers who have completed the professional semester at SUNY Cortland and have seen them turn out to be outstanding educators.