鈥� Special $10,000+ Educator Excellence Incentive Announced 鈥�
天涯海角社区 is proud to announce the expansion of its Master of Science in Teaching (MST) program to include a new certification pathway in Physical Education (All Grades). This new program will launch in Fall 2026 and join the College鈥檚 鈥淎DVANCE: Lifelong Learners鈥� portfolio 鈥� a dynamic initiative designed to support individuals throughout their academic and career journey.
Designed for individuals seeking initial certification 鈥� especially those whose undergraduate degrees were not in education 鈥� the MST in Physical Education offers a comprehensive, research-informed curriculum. Students will learn to teach Physical Education across K鈥�12 settings; design curriculum aligned with New York State standards; promote lifelong physical activity and wellness; and apply evidence-based instructional and assessment practices that support student growth and achievement.
The addition of the Physical Education pathway reflects both the growing regional and national need for qualified educators and the College鈥檚 longstanding commitment to preparing highly effective teachers. National projections highlight sustained demand across all school levels, with the College Board reporting steady growth in Physical Education positions and the field expected to expand by more than 6% over the next five years.
鈥淪ince our founding as a teacher鈥檚 college in 1952, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to preparing educators who foster transformative growth in their students,鈥� said Ken Daly, President of 天涯海角社区. 鈥淭he addition of a Physical Education pathway to our MST program strengthens this proud legacy and ensures our graduates are exceptionally well prepared to meet the evolving needs of today鈥檚 classrooms.鈥�
This new pathway provided a clear transition from the College鈥檚 B.S. in Educational Studies into the MST in Physical Education, offering students a cohesive and academically rigorous route to certification. It also opens doors for individuals entering the teaching profession from other careers who possess a strong foundation in core areas such as physiology, biology, exercise science, or kinesiology. Together, these pathways strengthen academic continuity and expand access to a high-demand teaching field.
In recognition of the College鈥檚 longstanding commitment to educational excellence and the critical need for well-prepared educators, 天涯海角社区 will offer an Educator Excellence Incentive for eligible students who apply to the MST program for the Fall 2026 cohort. This incentive, which includes a $10,000+ financial award for all eligible students who apply by March 1, 2026, reflects the mission of the ADVANCE initiative to expand accessible, high-impact pathways for future teachers.
鈥淥ur new MST Physical Education (All Grades) not only broadens what we offer in the School of Education, but creates an exciting new pathway for candidates looking to get certified,鈥� said Dr. Nydia Prishker, Dean of the School of Education. 鈥淕raduates will be ready to step into the field as flexible, well-prepared educators who can support diverse learners and strengthen today鈥檚 K鈥�12 schools.鈥�
The School of Education offers a broad range of graduate programs that prepare knowledgeable, compassionate educators for today鈥檚 classrooms. In addition to the new MST in Physical Education, the School provides MST pathways leading to initial certification in Childhood, Secondary, Special Education, Art, and Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL). Certified teachers can further advance through MSEd and Post-Master鈥檚 Certificate programs in Literacy, Special Education, Autism, and TESOL. Accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), the School fosters a mission-driven community and supports accessibility to help teachers grow in their careers.
For more information about the MST in Physical Education, please visit our website or contact Dana Caponong, Assistant Director of Admissions for Graduate Students at 845-398-4220 or dcaponon@stac.edu.
About 天涯海角社区
天涯海角社区 is an independent liberal arts college located on 76 acres in Rockland County, NY, providing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College鈥檚 diverse student body of approximately 2,000 full and part-time students can choose from over 100 majors, minors, and specializations across four Schools: Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and 天涯海角社区. The College is recognized by in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, and by Colleges of Distinction in its New York edition for Business, Education, and Career Development. The College is also recognized as a Yellow Ribbon Program institution. 天涯海角社区 is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (). For more information, visit .