New York Teachers Licensing Application Process
Once all of the requirements for New York teacher certification have been completed, applicants should submit their application to the Office of Teaching Initiatives using the online TEACH portal. The office receives most applications in June, July, and August, so its recommended to send in all information three to four months in advance of your estimated date of employment. The required steps to obtain a New York educator certificate are as follows:
- Verification of background clearance by the state.
- Official transcripts showing proof of bachelors degree.
- Proof of completing a teacher preparation program at an approved school.
- Passing scores on the required examinations.
- Completed application for teaching certification in New York.
- Payment of non-refundable processing fees.
Visit the New York Department of Education website for further details on New York teacher certification.
Certification Reciprocity In New York
Interstate teacher certification reciprocity is a program that allows teachers who are certified in one state to teach in another state without having to go through all the steps required to earn a teacher certification in that state. Find out more about the New York Completion of a College Teacher Education Program in Another U.S. State pathway. If you have more specific questions about your teaching situation, please contact the New York State Education Department.
To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in New York, check out our Teacher Certification Reciprocity page on Teach.com.
Pass Nystce Teacher Certification Exams
The New York State Teacher Certification Examinations program creates all the exams for New York state certification. Test results are then sent to the New York State Education Department.
To earn an Initial Certificate in New York, you must pass:
edTPA: This is a certification-specific teacher performance assessment that examines your level of preparedness as a teacher.
Educating All Students Test : This exam checks your level of proficiency in teaching diverse student populations, English language learners, and students with disabilities. It also assesses your skills in handling teacher responsibilities and school-home relationships.
Content Specialty Tests : The CST you take to earn your Initial Certificate will depend on the certification youre seeking. A typical CST includes multiple-choice questions and a written assignment.
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Complete A Teacher Preparation Program
Teacher preparation programs are generally structured on combination of curriculum and fieldwork. Curricula tends to include a focus on pedagogy , teaching methods, differentiated instructional strategies, classroom management, technology integration, and more. Fieldwork often includes classroom observations, student teaching, and/or interning. Student teaching includes creating and implementing lesson plans, assessing student progress, writing reflections, and often putting together a culminating portfolio.
For a list of the New York state registered teacher preparation programs, view the Inventory of Registered Programs provided by the NY Department of Education. If you need further guidance, you may consider consulting with a guidance counselor about such programs at one of the approved institutions.
If you do not have a bachelor’s degree yet, you can complete a blended degree and teacher preparation program. In other words, you will be able to fulfill teacher preparation requirements as you complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, this is often referred to as the traditional pathway to teacher certification in New York.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can consider completing an alternative or post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program. You can even find a blended master’s degree and teacher preparation program.
New York Teaching Certificate Programs
Below youll find a comprehensive listing of the Graduate Teaching Certificate programs available from schools in New York. If youre looking for initial teacher certification programs, check out either our list of Bachelors in Education Programs or New York Alternative Certification Programs. Most of the programs down below are for people who are already teachers.
A way to stand out above your peers is by advancing your degree even further with the option of a masters plus 30 credits . Teachers who wish to stand out from their peers may elect to earn this distinction. An add-on or advanced certificate can prepare you to teach in new areas while simultaneously helping you improve your current classroom instruction. The U.S. Department of Education has a designated budget for bilingual teachers, English teachers for Speakers of Other Languages , foreign language teachers, library and school media instructors, and career and technical education teachers. According to 2016 data, between the years of 2016 to 2026 O*Net is projecting a 10% increase in hiring vocational teachers in NY.
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S To Becoming A Teacher In New York
Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal.
Requirements For Alternative Certification
Alternative teacher preparation programs in New York are joint programs between institutions of higher education and local schools. To be eligible for an alternative preparation program, candidates must have a minimum of a bachelors degree, which should be in the subject area that the candidate intends to teach. Alternative teacher preparation programs are typically accelerated and lead to the award of either a post-graduate certificate or masters degree depending on the curriculum completed. Completing a masters degree in education can also prepare candidates to teach in New York.
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Testing Requirements For New York Alternative Certification
To achieve initial certification in New York through alternative pathways, candidates in most licensure categories must pass the Educating All Students exam and the Content Specialty Test in the subject to be taught. In certain cases. teachers will need to take the edTPA, which measures pedagogical skills and knowledge. Career and Technical Education candidates must additionally pass the Communication and Quantitative Skills Test .
Learn More About Esl Teacher Salary Expectations For Jobs In New York
As of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the following salaries for educators in New York:
Early Career : $59,020Median: $80,040
Early Career : $69,490Median: $89,620Experienced : $132,510
You can explore ESL teacher jobs and connect with others in your field by joining the New York TESOL Association.
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market trends for elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, and secondary school teachers. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2021.
National Center for Education Statistics, English language learner students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, by state: Selected years, fall 2000 through fall 2018. Data accessed June 2021.
Featured Programs:
- USC Rossier School of Education’s online Master of Arts in Teaching TESOL program prepares you to teach students of all ages in the U.S. and internationally and can be completed in 12 months.
- Campbellsville University Offers an ESL Endorsement , M.A. in Teaching – Secondary Education, M.A. in TESOL
- Greenville University Offers a Master of Arts in Education – Teaching English as a Second Language
- George Mason University Offers a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration in TESOL
- Liberty University Offers Undergrad Cert and B.Ed. in English as a Second Language.
- Illinois College Offers an English as a Second Language Endorsement Online.
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Degree Requirements For Early Childhood Educators
– ECE Associate’s Degree Requirements and Courses
The associate degree provides early entry into the ECE field as a teacher in limited situations such as preschools and childcare centers. Some public programs accept experienced teachers with Associate degrees. Some Associate degree graduates add a credential like the Child Development Associate to add to their skills, knowledge, and options. The associate degree is the platform for a bachelors degree. It requires about 60-70 credit hours, about 250 field hours observing and practice teaching.
Graduates should have a solid foundation in early childhood education and management techniques for supervising children up to age nine in a safe, supportive, learning environment.
Sample courses for Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- Classroom Management
- Teaching Children in Inclusive Classrooms
- Teaching Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Career Outlook For Teachers In New York
Teaching in New York is competitive and profitable. Job opportunities are plentiful for certified teachers in New York’s public school system, ranking the state among the largest national employers of elementary and high school teachers, according to the BLS.
New York teachers are also among the highest-paid educators in the United States. Secondary teachers earned the top salary for teachers in the U.S. in May 2020, with an annual mean wage of $88,890, according to the BLS. Meanwhile, elementary teachers in New York were the third-highest-paid in the nation, earning $84,380.
The state recently launched programs to incentivize master-level training for experienced educators and encourage professionals in other fields to become teachers in New York. Teachers with advanced qualifications and those willing to work in New York’s shortage areas may enjoy additional perks and earn a higher salary.
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Alternative Certification In New York
New York has an Alternative Teacher Preparation Program targeted at mid-career and career-changing professionals. This program consists of an introductory section followed by certification tests and then mentored, paid employment as a teacher. New York City also offers the New York City Teaching Fellows program, which is a subsidized masters degree fellowship targeted at increasing the number of highly trained teachers in the NYC public school system.
Professional Development For New York Teachers
New York State professional development programs include teacher mentorship programs and the NYS Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers. New York City offers in-service courses for teachers through the NYC After School Professional Development Program. Credits earned through this program can be counted towards both salary differentials and professional development requirements. Programs are also available to paraprofessional educators, including the Summer Stipend Program, through which paraprofessionals can receive a financial incentive for college credits earned over the summer.
According to the New York State Department of Education, teachers holding a Professional Certificate in New York must complete at least 175 hours of professional development activities during each 5-year licensing period.
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Financial Aid & Loan Forgiveness For New York Teachers
As a prospective educator, youre eligible to apply for a wide range of scholarships for teachers. With the growing teacher shortage, more educational institutions, philanthropic organizations, and private businesses are offering scholarships to help education students meet their financial obligations.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education grants can help you pay for college if you commit to teaching in a low-income school district or a high-need field of study after graduation.
If youve used student loans to meet your financial obligations, you may qualify for federal programs that offer partial or complete student loan forgiveness. Most federal loan relief requires that you teach for a minimum of 5 full and consecutive academic years in a school that the U.S. Department of Education considers low income.
You can find resources specific to New York state from the Higher Education Services Corporation . The HESC administers the states Tuition Assistance Program , more than 20 scholarship and loan forgiveness programs, and student financial outreach programs.
Earn Your Professional Certification
Holders of initial teaching certificates are expected to progress to the professional teaching certificate, within the stated five year period, by completing the requirements for professional certification:
- Successful completion of an appropriate master’s degree
- Three years of teaching experience
- One year of teaching with a mentor
- Completion of the 6-hour DASA training workshop
We have more resources on New York State Teacher Certification available online at nysut.org/certification.
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Schools With Alternative Certification Programs In New York
Prospective alternative route teachers in New York must graduate from an approved teacher preparation program. The following school-based alternative preparation programs lead to a certificate or masters degree and have been approved by the New York State Department of Education :
- Adelphi University
- Bank Street Graduate School of Education
- Bard College
- Metropolitan College of New York
- Molloy College
- New York City College of Technology
- New York Institute of Technology
- New York University
- SUNY Brockport, Buffalo State College, Empire State College, Fredonia, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Oswego, Plattsburgh
- Syracuse University
New York News: Special Education Blogs
- Mo Los Speech Blog: Monica Locascio writes about her daily life working as a preschool speech language pathologist in Lindenhurst, New York.
- From the Desk of Mr. Foteah: The frustrations and triumphs of teaching and testing are the themes of this elementary special education teachers blog.
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Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs In New York
Projected Job Growth
6.2%
Growth in Teaching Jobs in NY through 20262
In addition to requiring all new teachers to hold a bachelors degree, New York requires prospective teachers to complete an approved teacher preparation program at an accredited institution. You can find a list of approved teacher preparation programs, known as NYS Registered Programs, through the New York State Education Department. To compare key metrics for these state-approved teacher preparation programs, use the sortable table on our New York schools page.
Programs in other states that hold accreditation from one of the six regional accreditation agencies overseen by the US Department of Education may also be acceptable. New York will not issue a teacher certification to those who have not completed a program at an accredited school, so its best to confirm accreditation before making a decision.
Additionally, many schools seek accreditation from the national accreditation organization, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation . CAEP accreditation is not mandatory for schools, but due to its highly-regarded reputation for stringent standards, most schools apply for its official accreditation.
Get Your Master’s Degree
For a graduate degree in teacher education, theres no better place to start than with New York States network of SUNY and CUNY colleges and universities.
Students can earn a masters degree in teacher education at 23 different campuses statewide. Check out our complete listing for more information.
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How To Become A Teacher In New York
To become a New York teacher, a candidate must meet the requirements stipulated by the Office of Teaching Initiatives. Like most states, New York requires that all state teachers hold a bachelors degree, complete a New York teacher certification program, and pass the required content examinations. Upon meeting the requirements for certification, an applicant may be issued an initial certificate, which is valid for five years. This entry-level certificate leads to the professional certificate, which is an advanced level license that is continuously valid, assuming the teacher completes the appropriate number of professional development hours every five years.
The most direct, traditional route to New York teaching certification is to complete an approved teacher preparation program at a New York college or university and be recommended for certification by the certification officer at that university, which is known as an institutional recommendation. For more detailed information on the New York teacher certification renewal process, contact the OTI or continue reading.
Quick Guide
- I want to be a teacher in New York, but dont have a degree: Earn an Education Degree
- I have a teaching degree and am interested in more education: Learn about Masters Degree Education Programs or Doctorate Education Programs and Information.
- I am already certified and want to teach in another state: Learn about Teacher Certification Reciprocity.
Certifications For School Administrators
If youre a new candidate interested in certifications for school administrators, you can pursue 1 of 3 distinct pre-K to grade 12 titles. Both traditional and alternative pathways are available. Youll need fingerprint clearance and U.S. citizenship or USCIS Permanent Residence status for these certifications.
School Building Leader : You can earn an Initial or Professional Certificate for this certification. To earn the Initial Certificate, you need:
- A masters degree
- Completion of a state-registered preparation program
- Passing scores on the NYSTCE for School Building Leader Parts 1 and 2 and EAS test
- 3 years of teaching or administrative experience
- DASA training
A Professional Certificate requires both 3 years of teaching experience and 3 years of administrative experience.
School District Business Leader: This is only offered at the Professional Certificate level and requires:
- A masters degree, including 60 semester hours of related coursework
- A completed NYS registered teacher preparation program
- Passing scores on the NYSTCE School District Business Leader Parts 1 and 2
- DASA training
School District Leader : The traditional pathway to this certification leads to a Professional Certificate and requires:
- A masters degree with 60 semester hours of related coursework
- Completion of a registered teacher preparation program
- 3 years of teaching or administrative experience
- Passing scores on the NYSTCE School District Leader Part 1 and Part 2 and EAS
- DASA training
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New York Jobs For Licensed Teachers
There are different types of certificates and licenses that you can obtain in order to teach in New York.
The NYSED created the Teachers for Tomorrow Program to address problems with teacher shortages. It targets the city school districts in New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Yonkers. The program aims to hire thousands of teachers to work in these areas to replace retiring educators. The program also offers incentives in order to increase teacher recruitment and retention. All in all, this means there are a lot of jobs waiting for aspiring teachers in the state.
- Bilingual Education
- Business and Marketing Education
- Technology Education
- Trade Education