If I have a secondary ed cert for NYS and want to get my masters, does it have to be the same concentration?

Question

I don't want to take more math classes. I'm very interested in health and phys. ed. Can I get my masters in a different subject or do I have to continue with math? Also, how can i become dual certified and possibly be able to teach gym and/or health also? Thanks.

Answer 1

You can get your master's in another specialty field but you may be required to take some undergrad prerequisites first. Remember that an MEd has a major in education - not in your subject area. The specialization is in the subject area or some area of education such as technology or administration.

It may be that the quickest way to add Health/PE would be to attend as an undergrad at a school that will accept the bulk of your existing undergrad in transfer. They'd likely require at least 30 hours for the new BA/BS.

An option would be an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) program in health/PE. You'd definitely have some prerequisites to meet and that degree often presumes that you don't already have a teaching certificate.

Some states allow you to add an additional teaching area with a certain amount of coursework in that subject. This is probably the easiest way for you to add Health/PE. I've seen states that only require 15-30 hours in the subject to add that subject as an additional area once you have a teaching certificate. You'll need to check with the Dept. of Ed. to get specifics on this in NY.

You might also want to look into a coaching endorsement instead of a teaching area addition. They pay is often better and your teaching subject is often immaterial.

Your options are many. Call and talk with a teacher recruitment specialist at your state Dept. of Ed.; they know all sorts of cool stuff you can do.

Answer 2

You absolutely can get your master's in a different subject. For example I was a history major and am working on my Master's in University Administration. So you can get your master's in pretty much whatever you want-however some programs have pre requisite classes that you must have taken and passed-so check with an admissions advisor to make sure the program you want into doesn't have any, or if they do that you have already completed them.
On the subject of dual certification-that is a state by state thing-however I know here in Texas once you pass the certification test for your main subject (in your case math) you can take other tests-however many you want! So if you are already certified in secondary math, you should be able to take any certification test you want, and once you pass it your are certified to teach it! Remember, this is how it is here in TX, so you should either call the state education department in your state, or you can just call the college you graduated from and check-but I would think it is probably the same throughout.
Good luck!!!