Graduate Exclusively Online Programs
- Adolescence Special Education Adv Cert
- Literacy Education (All Grades) Online MSEd
- Master of Social Work Online (Full-Time)
- Master of Social Work Online (Part-Time)
- Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Special Education Adolescence Education (Grade 7 - 12) Online MSEd
- Special Education Childhood (Grade 1 - 6) Online MSEd
- Special Education Early Childhood (Birth - Grade 2) Online MSEd
- Special Education Early Childhood + Childhood (Birth - Grade 6) Online MSEd
- TESOL Adv Cert
- TESOL CRITI Adv Cert
Program-Specific Prerequisites
Adolescence Special Education Adv Cert
Coursework: Evidence of successful completion of an introductory course in special education (SPED 501, SPED 500 or the equivalent)
For Adolescence Special Education students only: at least six credit hours in each of the following:
- Mathematics
- English/Language Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
Certification: Must possess initial certification or eligible for initial certification in early childhood education, childhood education or adolescence education
Literacy Education (All Grades) Online MSEd
Coursework: None
Certification: Must possess initial certification or eligible for initial certification in early childhood education, childhood education, special education, speech/language, ESL or a grade 7-12 academic subject
Master of Social Work Online (Full-Time)
Coursework: A minimum of 24 undergraduate credit hours in the liberal arts and sciences are required
Master of Social Work Online (Part-Time)
Coursework: A minimum of 24 undergraduate credit hours in the liberal arts and sciences are required
In order for the Admissions Committee to obtain a clearer picture of who you are, why you have chosen to enter the social work profession, your readiness for graduate education, and what motivates you to apply to the Binghamton University Master of Social Work program, we ask you to write a personal statement and submit it with your application.
This statement, which is an important part of your overall application, should not include a detailed description of your entire life; it should briefly cover important experiences, interests and abilities as they relate to your seeking professional training in the Master of Social Work program.
The statement should be between six- and eight- double-spaced, typed pages. The statement should be divided into two subject areas: personal evaluation and career objectives.
Personal evaluation
Describe why you think you would make a good social work student as well as an effective social worker. In writing this description, address the following:
- The significant life experiences that have led to the development of your personality and your value and belief system.
- Your readiness for undertaking graduate social work education. Address how you believe you will face the rigorous demands of coursework and field education (in the latter case, especially in terms of being able to handle the emotional and practical strain of dealing with client and community problems).
- Why you believe that Binghamton University's MSW program is best suited to your needs, bearing in mind that this program has as its mission preparing social workers for generalist practice in public and private not for profit agencies.
- Given the program's commitment to meeting the needs and advocating for the rights of diverse clients and communities, comment on your personal or professional experience with at least three of the following aspects of diversity: race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression and mental or physical disability.
- Both your strengths and areas of your life that need strengthening in relation to the profession of social work.
Career objectives
Describe why you want to be a social worker and what you would like to do in the future. Respond to the following questions:
- What do you hope to gain from graduate education?
- What has led you to decide to enter the social work profession?
- What are your future professional goals? How do your career goals fit with the program's mission?
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy
U.S. applicants must hold a master’s degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program. International applicants must have graduated from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program.
Special Education Adolescence Education (Grade 7 - 12) Online MSEd
Coursework: Evidence of successful completion of an introductory course in special education (SPED 501, SPED 500 or the equivalent)
For Adolescence Special Education students only: at least six credit hours in each of the following:
- Mathematics
- English/Language Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
Certification: Must possess initial certification or eligible for initial certification in early childhood education, childhood education or adolescence education
Special Education Childhood (Grade 1 - 6) Online MSEd
Coursework: Evidence of successful completion of an introductory course in special education (SPED 501, SPED 500 or the equivalent)
Certification: Must possess initial certification or eligible for initial certification in early childhood education, childhood education or adolescence education
Special Education Early Childhood + Childhood (Birth - Grade 6) Online MSEd
Coursework: Evidence of successful completion of an introductory course in special education (SPED 501, SPED 500 or the equivalent)
Certification: Must possess initial certification or eligible for initial certification in early childhood education, childhood education or adolescence education
TESOL Adv Cert
Coursework: at least 12 college- level credit hours in any combination of language(s) other than English (American Sign Language is acceptable)
Certification: must possess initial certification or eligibility for initial certification
TESOL CRITI Adv Cert
Coursework: at least 12 college- level credit hours in any combination of language(s) other than English (American Sign Language is acceptable)
Certification: must possess initial certification or eligibility for initial certification
Personal Statement
Dispositions are the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence an individual's behavior towards students, families, colleagues, and communities. An individual's dispositions affect their opinion of student learning, motivation, and development, as well as an individual's professional growth.
Collectively, faculty members from the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership identified the Professional Dispositions they see as essential to the development of an effective educator or educational leader. These Professional Dispositions include a readiness to:
- Demonstrate a commitment to learning and diversity;
- Build rapport and serve as a strong role model to peers, colleagues, and learners;
- Display effective communication skills (oral and written) in all settings; and
- Demonstrate professional competence and conduct.
For the personal statement, describe how one or more of these professional dispositions has (a) influenced your decision to become a teacher and/or (b) will contribute to your effectiveness as a teacher. Please approach this by telling a story about an incident or event in your life that illustrates that particular characteristic.
The personal statement you provide will be evaluated by faculty and staff members on the basis of how well you address the prompt and your skill at organizing, developing, and conveying, in standard written English, an event or story that illustrates how you have demonstrated (or perhaps observed) the characteristic in your life.
Please make sure your response directly addresses the prompt. Personal statements should be 500-750 words (approximately 2-3 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, size 12, 1-inch margins). Personal statements must be uploaded directly into the Binghamton University application system and are not mailed or emailed to a faculty or staff member.
Note: This statement requires foci differ from the generic Graduate School personal statement instructions. This is an important part of the application. Be as specific as possible, including examples where appropriate.