Adolescent Physics

Program Overview

This master’s program will prepare you to teach Physics to middle school and high school students of diverse backgrounds, abilities and interests in grades 7 to 12. This program is offered jointly with the Physics Department in the School of Arts & Sciences.

Coursework and Clinical Experiences

Courses are offered in the afternoon and evening. Some courses may be available in an online or hybrid format. Select courses have required hours of classroom experience (fieldwork) in a New York City public school. Students also participate in supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum) as the culmination of their course of study. Student teaching and/or practicum requires five full days per week for at least one semester.

Credits

42 to 43 (Including 16 credits of coursework in Physics)

Certification

Adolescent Physics Education Grades 7 to 12

Eligibility and Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0
A major in physics
Two letters of recommendation
A statement of purpose

To Apply

The program admits new students once per year for the Fall semester.

Create your Hunter College Graduate Application and select the program “Adolescent Education Physics (Grades 7-12), MA”.

Fall Start

March 15

Visit How to Apply for information about deadline extensions.

Interested in Starting Coursework Earlier?

Students who are eligible for admission and would like to begin coursework before the Fall semester may enroll as a graduate non-degree student in the Spring. Candidates who require an F-1 or J-1 Visa are ineligible for non-degree graduate study.

This option allows you to start taking courses that may later apply toward the MA program.

Spring Non-Degree Application Deadline

December 1

Benefits of Beginning as a Non-Degree Student

Courses completed as a non-degree student may apply toward the MA program if you are later admitted.
Current Hunter non-degree graduate students are eligible for an application fee waiver when applying to the degree program.
You can begin coursework earlier while preparing to join the full program cohort in the Fall.

How to Begin in the Spring (Optional)

Apply for Graduate Non-Degree Study by December 1 for a Spring start. Access the Non-Degree application on the Graduate Non-Degree Admissions page.
Courses that may be available to prospective students include:

SEDC 71000 – Building the Foundations of Literacy in Adolescent Education (3 credits)
SEDF 70300 – Social Foundations of Adolescent Education (3 credits)
SEDF 70400 – Diversity in Adolescent Development (3 credits)
Physics coursework through the School of Arts & Sciences

To be considered for the full MA program, submit the Hunter College Graduate Application by March 15 for Fall admission.

Related Programs

This program is not designed for individuals who have initial NYS certification in Physics 7-12. If you seek a Master’s Degree and Professional Certification in a related field, consider our Master’s Degrees for NYS Certified Teachers.

If you hold a master’s degree in Physics, you may be eligible for our Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate program in Adolescent Physics.