The faculty is committed to the values of social justice and compassion. The Educational Studies Department of the State University of New York at New Paltz offers a Masters degree in Professional Studies in Humanistic Education. The 36-credit teacher certification sequence of the program is designed for elementary and secondary teachers in academic disciplines and special subject teachers who are provisionally certified, and are seeking permanent certification. The program of study focuses on providing content and skills necessary for teaching the diverse student population of New York State. Geared for those who already have a strong liberal arts background, this program provides teachers with effective instructional practices for actively engaging all students in developmentally appropriate and meaningful learning related to the State Learning Standards.
Students increase self-knowledge and develop effective human relations and critical thinking skills.
Students learn to work cooperatively with others to foster personal, institutional, and social change and promote more humane, democratic and inclusive classrooms, organizations, and communities. The flexible 30-credit general program allows for the development of an individualized plan of study unique to varying professional goals by providing a wide variety of electives. The program can be tailored for persons working with special client groups in the human services. By carefully selecting the 12 credits of electives, students may develop a program emphasis in a specialized area such as gerontology, child care, death and dying, juvenile justice, substance abuse, or human service management. Courses are offered on evenings, weekends and summers to meet the schedules of working professionals.