Admission Criteria

Applications for admission to the Intensive Non-Degree Certification Program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the Intensive Non-Degree Certification Program.
2. Evidence documenting that the applicant meets the requirement for the New York State’s Transitional C Certificate.
3. A written agreement with a school district for a teaching position for three years, two of which will be mentored by a support team including:
   1. A college faculty member of the program,
   2. The school principal or designee,
   3. An experienced New York State certified teacher, and
   4. A school curriculum supervisor or specialist. The agreement shall specify that daily mentoring shall be provided by the experienced certified teacher during at least the first 20 days of the applicant’s teaching.
4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession.
6. A graduate degree with a major (or equivalent) in the content area of the certificate.

Program Requirements

The program consists of three major components:

1. Content requirements
2. 19 s.h. of professional education course work
3. Mentored teaching and seminars.

Content Requirements

Professional Education Requirements - Semester Hours: 19

The student must present evidence of holding the Transitional C Certificate prior to the commencement of mentored teaching.

No more than 3 s.h. may be transferred into the program or exempted through testing or portfolio review. Courses transferred into the program must be graduate courses (excluding SED 260A, B, C, D), no more than five years old from the date of the awarding of the degree received. Student must have received grades of B or higher in the course. Such course must be deemed equivalent to program courses by the appropriate academic adviser and Department Chairperson.

Graduation Requirements

1. Successful completion of the 19 s.h. program requirement with a minimum grade of B in each course;
2. Completion of the Child Abuse, Violence Prevention, Substance Abuse and other related seminars;
3. All course work taken in satisfaction of program requirements must have been completed within a 3-year period.

Criteria for the New York State Transitional C Certificate

The New York State Education Department awards the Transitional C Certificate to those individuals who meet the following criteria:

1. Possession of a graduate degree with a major (or equivalent) in the content area in which certification will be sought.
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in graduate course work.
3. A written agreement with a school district for a teaching position for three years, two of which will be mentored by a support team including:
   1. A college faculty member of the program;
   2. The school principal or designee;
   3. An experienced New York State certified teacher, and
   4. A school curriculum supervisor or specialist. The agreement shall specify that daily mentoring shall be provided by the experienced certified teacher during at least the first 20 days of the applicant’s teaching.
4. Passing scores on the following two New York State Teacher Certification Examinations: the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and the Content Specialty Test (CST in the content area of the certificate).
5. Completion of all required seminars.

Teacher Certification Requirements