Highlights of Our Canadian Teacher Education Master’s Degree Programs

Students take synchronous virtual classes during the week, or approximately every other weekend.

Enjoy academic and professional support from Medaille faculty and staff who work closely with students to provide the educational and career encouragement for success.

Work with experienced faculty field supervisors who provide mentorship and truly understand the reality of being in the classroom.

Become savvy at integrating new technologies into the classroom.

Gain eligibility for certification in both Ontario and New York State (NYS).

Ontario College of Teachers

New York State Department of Education, Office of Teaching Initiatives

Immerse yourself in two 8-week student teaching placements to maximize classroom experience and school integration.

Start your program in fall or spring.

Canadian Teacher Education Program Requirements

Elementary Program

Adolescent Program

Elementary Program Requirements

Step 1: Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements: Elementary Program
3 credit hours is equivalent to one half-credit course in Ontario

Step 2: Education Coursework

Elementary Education Courses (36 credits)

Step 3: Elementary Student Teaching (6 credits)
Students have the option of student teaching in Ontario or New York State school boards

One 8-week placement in grades 1-3
One 8-week placement in grades 4-6

Step 4: New York State Teacher Certification Exams
Before getting certified to teach, passage of several New York State Teacher Certification Examinations is required:

Content Specialty Test (CST)
Covers content in the subject or subjects that the corresponding certificate authorizes the holder to teach. Elementary Education students take the Multi-Subject test since they will teach across content areas. Format typically consists of multiple-choice questions and essay.

Educating All Students (EAS)
Evaluates prospective teacher’s readiness to work with diverse student populations, English Language Learners, and students with special needs. Covers prospective teacher’s understanding of home-school relationships and teacher responsibilities.

Suggested Resources to Help You Prepare

New York State Teacher Certification Exams (free outlines of what is covered for each test)

NYSTCE, 4th ed. (Barron’s Publishing Group)

New York State Education Department

Full-length practice exams for some tests can be purchased at nystce.nesinc.com.

Step 5: Elementary Teacher Ontario Certification

Upon graduating from Medaille’s Master of Science in Elementary Education program and receiving your initial NYS teacher certification, students will have completed a total of 42 credit hours and will be eligible to apply to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) for a provisional teaching certificate that will allow you to begin teaching. Students will have five years to obtain the full 60 credit hours required by OCT for permanent certification. 

Adolescent Program Requirements

Step 1: Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements: Adolescent Education
3 credit hours is equivalent to one half-credit course in Ontario

Step 2: Education Coursework

Adolescent Education Courses (33 credits*)

*A comprehensive examination must be written and passed as part of the program completion requirement.

Step 3: Adolescent Student Teaching (6 credits)
Students have the option of student teaching in Ontario or New York State school boards

One 8-week placement in grades 7-9
One 8-week placement in grades 10-12

Step 4: New York State Teacher Certification Exams
Before getting certified to teach, passage of several New York State Teacher Certification Examinations is required:

Content Specialty Test (CST)
Covers content in the subject or subjects that the corresponding certificate authorizes the holder to teach. Elementary Education students take the Multi-Subject test since they will teach across content areas. Format typically consists of multiple-choice questions and essay.

Educating All Students (EAS)
Evaluates prospective teacher’s readiness to work with diverse student populations, English Language Learners, and students with special needs. Covers prospective teacher’s understanding of home-school relationships and teacher responsibilities.

Suggested Resources to Help You Prepare

New York State Teacher Certification Exams (free outlines of what is covered for each test)

NYSTCE, 4th ed. (Barron’s Publishing Group)

New York State Education Department

Full-length practice exams for some tests can be purchased at nystce.nesinc.com.

Step 5: Adolescent Teacher Ontario Certification

Upon graduating from Medaille’s Master of Science in Adolescent Education program and receiving your initial NYS teacher certification, students will have completed a total of 39 credit hours and will be eligible to apply to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) for a provisional teaching certificate that will allow you to begin teaching. Students will have five years to obtain a second teachable and the full 60 credit hours required by OCT for permanent certification. 

Master of Science in Education: Elementary Education

42 credits; four semesters (16 months)

Our Master of Science in Elementary Education program is designed for individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in an area other than education. This program emphasizes critical thinking in the classroom and prepares participants to work with students from varying backgrounds. The program arms you with the tools and knowledge you need to be successful in the field of education — offered to Ontario students for over 25 years, Medaille graduates feel prepared to teach on day one.

Students completing this program will earn a master’s degree in education as well as fulfill requirements for certification to teach in Ontario and New York State at the Elementary level, grades 1-6. Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) corresponds to Primary/Junior (K-6) in Ontario. Learn more about the M.S.Ed. elementary program.

Elementary Education Courses (36 credits)

Master of Science in Education: Adolescent Education

39 credits; four semesters (16 months)

Medaille University’s Master of Science in Education: Adolescent Education (Intermediate/Senior) is committed to the academic and professional preparation of highly qualified teachers through rigorous, integrated coursework. This program is designed for those individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in English, French, social studies (history), mathematics, biology or chemistry and now wish to become teachers in that subject area at the 7-12 grade level.

Program graduates will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, professional attitude, character and commitment to the teaching profession congruent with New York State and the Province of Ontario standards for initial certification and long-term professional success.

The Master of Science of Education: Adolescent Education degree leads to certification in the following areas:

Biology, grades 7-12; designed to lead to initial certification in Biology 7-12

Chemistry, grades 7-12; designed to lead to initial certification in Chemistry 7-12 English, grades 7-12; designed to lead to initial certification in English 7-12

French, grades 7-12; designed to lead to initial certification in French 7-12

Mathematics, grades 7-12; designed to lead to initial certification in Mathematics 7-12

Social Studies, grades 7-12; designed to lead to initial certification in Social Studies 7-12

The program is committed to fostering reflective practitioners with demonstrated proficiency in academic content, pedagogy, learning theory and student development. The faculty is dedicated to producing high school teachers who will exhibit intellectual rigor and compassion in the learning environment. By completing the program, students can be recommended for a New York State and/or a Province of Ontario teaching certificate.

Students in the Adolescent Education program will receive one teachable subject and qualify to teach in that subject within the Province of Ontario. The Ontario College of Teachers requires that all adolescent education students upgrade for a second teachable subject within five years. This can be completed by taking Additional Qualification courses approved by the OCT after you obtain your certificate of qualification. Learn more about the M.S.Ed. adolescent program.

Adolescent Education Courses (33 credits*)

*A comprehensive examination must be written and passed as part of the program completion requirement.

Admission Requirements

Medaille University Online Application (no fee to apply)

Official Transcripts – Mail

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Official high school transcripts (Canadian applicants only)

Statement of Intent

Resume – Email
Include all professional and volunteer experiences.

Additional Requirements

• Interview with faculty.
• All transcripts must be in English. If the institution was located outside of the United States, and the instruction was not in English, you are required to submit a professional credential evaluation from any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). We recommend SpanTran for translation and evaluation services, with its customized portal for Medaille University applicants. Other recommendations include World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. for credential evaluations.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate the ability to read, write and understand English by taking a language proficiency exam. Score reports should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. More information about the TOEFL.

Please send materials to:

Medaille University
Post-Traditional, Graduate and Online Admissions
18 Agassiz Circle
Buffalo, NY 14214
U.S.A

OSAP Financial Aid

If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for financial assistance through OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program). Students complete an electronic online application available at the OSAP website.

For OSAP questions, or to submit the Program Information and Confirmation of Enrollment forms, contact the Registrar’s Office at (716) 880-2365 or registrar@medaille.edu.

Foreign Student Information

Federal Immigration and Naturalization laws require that any student studying in the United States whose citizenship is not U.S. must have foreign student status. This applies to students commuting to school from Canada and those taking residence in the United States. To obtain a student visa, a student must meet the following criteria:

Be accepted at Medaille University for full-time study.

Provide financial documentation of ability to pay tuition and fees and living expenses in the U.S. (if applicable). This documentation must come in the form of a letter from a bank (not a statement) and must have the dollar figure in it. Please contact the Admissions office for the total cost of tuition for your program. If you are living in the United States, you must show cost of tuition and living expenses.

Pay the $200 fee to SEVIS when processing the I-20

Remember, the account must be in U.S. funds, so take the exchange rate into account.

This money can be from another source (relative). If that is the case, a letter must accompany the bank letter to the effect that the money is available for your education. This can be in the bank letter or in a separate letter from the individual.

As soon as your financial documentation is received, your I-20 will be produced by Medaille University and mailed to you. It is in effect 30 days before the first day of school. You may not start school without foreign student status. The border will prohibit you from crossing into the United States.

If you are a landed immigrant in Canada but do not hold Canadian citizenship, you must apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Please contact Admissions immediately to receive information on this process and be advised that it may take several months to obtain an appointment with the Embassy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will completing the Master of Science in Education degree at Medaille satisfy certification in Ontario?
Once students obtain their NYS certification, they can begin the process of applying to the OCT through individual review. Generally through this review, students are granted transitional certification and then have five years to complete any Additional Qualification (AQ) courses necessary to achieve permanent certification. Please note that the OCT requires 60 credits before permanent certification will be considered. Without electives, the Medaille MSED Elementary Program is 42 credits and the MSED Adolescent Program is 39 credits.

Is Elementary Education the same as Primary/Junior?
Yes, the M.S.Ed. Elementary program leads to Primary/Junior certification in Ontario.

Is Adolescent Education the same as Intermediate/Senior?
Yes, the M.S.Ed. Adolescent program leads to Intermediate/Senior certification in Ontario.

Why does the Adolescent education program only have one teachable? Don’t I need two teachable subjects to teach in Ontario?
In New York State education programs generally offer one teachable subject. Graduates can begin teaching their one subject while upgrading to the second subject in Ontario. Upgrading can be completed by taking Additional Qualification courses through the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). Students have five years to complete the second teachable subject, and AQ courses are offered in convenient schedule formats including summer or evening hours, or online. For more information, please visit the OCT website at www.oct.ca.

Can I do my student teaching in Canada?
Yes, you may complete your student teaching placement in most of the Ontario school boards. Student teaching is for approximately 16 weeks (Elementary students complete eight weeks at the Primary level and eight weeks at the Junior level; Adolescent students complete eight weeks at the Intermediate level and eight weeks at the Senior level).

What criteria is used to determine admission to the program?
Your admissions decision will be based on your grades from college/university, statement of intent, work/volunteer experience, and interview. Consideration will be given to a candidate’s maturity, motivation, aptitude for graduate study and commitment to the teaching profession.

I have not taken all of the liberal arts and science courses. Can I still be admitted into the program?
Yes. To qualify for the Elementary program, you must have a bachelor’s degree (3 or 4 year) and no more than 9 credit hours outstanding of the liberal arts and science courses. To qualify for the Adolescent program, you must have a bachelor’s degree AND meet 21 of the 30-credit-hour requirement for your teaching concentration (no more than a combined 9 credit hours outstanding). Any outstanding requirements can be completed prior to enrollment or while a student at Medaille.

What courses count towards the liberal arts and science requirements?
Some high school, grade 13, college and university coursework will be reviewed.

What is a semester hour or credit hour?
A semester or credit hour can be explained in terms of the full-year and half-year course.

• 6 semester/credit hours = 1 full year (full credit) = 78 class hours
• 3 semester/credit hours = 1 half year (half credit) = 39 class hours

Do I need to apply for both New York and Ontario teaching certification if I want to teach in Ontario?
Yes, it is a requirement that Canadian students enrolled in a teacher education program in the State of New York apply for and receive a NYS teaching certificate as well as apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for an Ontario teaching certificate.

Can I teach in the United States with New York State teacher certification?
Yes, with New York State teacher certification you can apply to work in most schools in the United States. Some students choose to gain work experience in the U.S. before applying for teaching jobs in Ontario; many students choose to work in Ontario only. For information on immigration issues related to working in the United States, please contact the Graduate Admission office.

Is OSAP or any other financial aid available?
If you are a Canadian citizen, you can apply for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program). Obtain an OSAP application here. Your Admissions Counselor can answer additional questions.