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New York Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in New York

To become a teacher in New York, a candidate must obtain a New York teacher certification, which is issued through the Office of Teaching Initiatives. A candidate must submit proof that he/she has met the requirements in terms of degree and/or coursework, test scores, and experience requirements (as needed). 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 within each 5-year period.

Quick Guide

Spotlight School

DeVry University

Popular Programs:

  • Master's-Education
  • Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
  • Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
  • Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership

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New York Teacher Education Requirements

The most direct, traditional route to New York teaching certification is by completing a teacher education program in a New York college or university, and being recommended for certification by the certification officer at that university. Typical degree programs include elementary education, secondary education (with a content area specialty), and special education.

New York Teacher Testing Requirements

New York State SealThere are several exams that are required for obtaining a teaching license in New York. The first is the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), which contains multiple-choice questions in communication, history, social science, math, science, technology, arts, and the humanities, as well as a written assignment that assesses a candidate’s abilities in written analysis and expression.

The Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) contains multiple-choice questions and a written assignment. It assesses a candidate’s professional and pedagogical knowledge. There is an Elementary and Secondary version.

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Candidates must also pass the Content Specialty Test (CST) that is appropriate for their desired certification area. This contains multiple-choice questions and a written assignment.

New York Teacher Salary and Jobs

Type Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Preschool Teachers 27,460 $39,560
Kindergarten Teachers 10,650 $70,930
Elementary School Teachers 88,960 $69,380
Middle School Teachers 39,920 $73,920
Secondary School Teachers 67,330 $71,820

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

New York University: New York University, or NYU, is among the most prestigious universities in the world. It is also home to the highly regarded Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. It is one of NYU’s largest schools and serves over 6400 students each year. Currently the school is educating 2500 undergraduate students and 3,900 graduate students. More than 260 full-time faculty in 11 separate departments form the academic core of the School. NYU offers approximately twenty undergraduate programs in unique and engaging fields such as studio art, teacher education and more. The Steinhardt School is known for its unique and leading edge programs that are the envy of other post secondary institutions. The diverse environment of New York allows students to benefit from the fantastic partnerships the school is able to make with neighboring schools, educational organizations, and non-profits. Not only do NYU Education students receive tier one coursework, but also they are also able to engage in learning experiences outside that class that are second to none.

St. Johns University: St. Johns University is located in Queens, New York and enjoys a sound academic reputation built upon world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and innovative instruction. St. Johns School of Education offers several iterations of the Bachelor of Science degree in education as well as graduate and doctoral degrees that are a great fit for students no matter where they are in their education or career. The St. Johns’ University School of Education engages students in dynamic learning experiences that shape their education and training as educators in an increasingly difficult educational system that continues to become more complex. The School of Education is home to several hundred St. Johns University students, and is among the largest schools located on the Queen’s campus. Courses are also available to students in Manhattan, Staten Island and online.

New York Teacher Interviews

Interview with Jose Vilson, New York Math Teacher and TEDx Speaker

Interview with Marisa Kaplan, Instructional Coach in New York

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New York Teacher Outlook as of 2012
In January 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported New York’s unemployment rate at 9.1%, slightly above the national average of 8.5%. The Occupational Supply and Demand System has projected 17,078 annual job openings in library and education related fields in New York through 2018. In fall 2008 and 2007 respectively, the National Center for Education Statistics listed 214,944 public school and 42,840 private school teachers in New York. The average beginning teaching salary in New York is $41,079 and the average overall teaching salary is $72,708, the highest average among US and $17,000 above the national average teaching salary. The NEA notes teacher shortages in science, math, foreign language, technology and special education. The New York State United Teachers, an advocacy group for education professionals in New York, suggests subject specialization, particularly in foreign language or special education to increase employment opportunity for young teachers. For more information on state teaching certification and requirements, please contact local education and teaching schools.

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in New York

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

Brandman University Online

Popular Programs:

  • MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
  • BA in Early Childhood Education
  • MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
  • MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
  • And more...
Medaille College

Popular Programs:

  • Master of Science in Education - Elementary Education
  • Master of Science in Education - Secondary/Adolescent Education
  • Master of Science in Education - Students with Disabilities
Locations: Buffalo
California University of Pennsylvania

Popular Programs:

  • MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
  • Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
  • Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
  • Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
  • And more...
Penn Foster Schools

Popular Programs:

  • Teacher Aide
Colorado Technical University Online

Popular Programs:

  • Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
  • Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in New York

Question: What is the first degree you must achieve in early childhood education in New York state?

Answer: There are two avenues to being able to work in early childhood education in New York State. The first avenue is to achieve a bachelors degree from an approved teacher preparation program in the state. The second route is passing the New York State Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills- Written (ATS-W), and the appropriate Content Specialty Test(s) (CST).

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in New York City?

Answer: There are no specific requirements in New York state for working as a substitute teacher. To work as a substitute, you must apply to each individual district in which you hope to work. Each district may have its own requirements, but no one can work as a substitute in the same position for more than 40 days. http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/substituteteaching.html

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in New York

Adelphi University
South Ave
Garden City, NY 11530-0701
(516) 877-3000

Adirondack Community College
640 Bay Rd
Queensbury, NY 12804
(518) 743-2200

Alfred University
One Saxon Drive
Alfred, NY 14802-1205
(607) 871-2111
www.alfred.edu/admissions/

Bank Street College of Education
610 W 112 St
New York, NY 10025
(212) 875-4400

CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
199 Chambers St
New York, NY 10007-1097
(212) 220-8000

CUNY Bronx Community College
W 181 St & University Ave
Bronx, NY 10453
(718) 289-5100

CUNY Brooklyn College
2900 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11210-2889
(718) 951-5000

CUNY City College
160 Convent Ave
New York, NY 10031-9101
(212) 650-7000

CUNY College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Blvd
Staten Island, NY 10314
(718) 982-2000
www.csi.cuny.edu/admissions

CUNY Hostos Community College
500 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 518-4444

CUNY Hunter College
695 Park Ave
New York, NY 10065
(212) 772-4000

CUNY Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398
(718) 265-5343

CUNY LaGuardia Community College
31-10 Thomson Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 482-7200

CUNY Lehman College
Bedford Park Blvd W
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 960-8000

CUNY Medgar Evers College
1650 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11225-2010
(718) 270-4900

CUNY New York City College of Technology
300 Jay St
Brooklyn, NY 11201-2983
(718) 260-5500

CUNY Queens College
65-30 Kissena Blvd
Flushing, NY 11367-0904
(718) 997-5000
www.qc.cuny.edu/admissions/Pages/default.aspx

Student Review: “The Queens College teaching program is one of the best programs for education in the country. I am currently enrolled in the program and almost finished. I’ve taken a few education courses so far and I am so pleased by them. The professors are all trained well and reply to your emails very quickly. Their office hours are made for whenever you can attend. I really enjoyed observing classrooms and I loved how nice the other education majors were. The computer lab with free printing for education students is very nice. The one aspect of the program that I think should be improved is they should have more classes since some courses are very limited with the times the course can be taken.” -Michelle N., student at CUNY Queens College

CUNY Queensborough Community College
222-05 56th Ave
Bayside, NY 11364
(718) 631-6262

CUNY York College
94-20 Guy R Brewer Blvd
Jamaica, NY 11451
(718) 262-2000

Canisius College
2001 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14208-1098
(716) 883-7000
www.canisius.edu/prospect/

Colgate University
13 Oak Dr
Hamilton, NY 13346-1398
(315) 228-1000
www.colgate.edu/admission

College of Mount Saint Vincent
6301 Riverdale Ave
Bronx, NY 10471-1093
(718) 405-3200
www.mountsaintvincent.edu/admissions

Columbia University in the City of New York
116 St and Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-1754

https://admissions.columbia.edu/

Columbia-Greene Community College
4400 Rte 23
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4181

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-2000
admissions.cornell.edu/

Student Review: “The teaching program at Cornell University was excellent – both in its academic challenges and its practical skill opportunities provided. The classroom courses were extremely valuable for they provided me with a solid foundation, not only for adolescent education, but also for young adult education. The coursework was difficult but I was motivated by my professors to succeed. The one drawback to the classroom courses was their size. Certain required classes had over 200 students and therefore made it difficult to establish a connection with the professor. The most attractive characteristic of Cornell’s teaching program were the bountiful practical opportunities it provided. I was able to fulfill much of my time at a local pre-school and elementary school – and I had many options to chose from when deciding where to teach. Overall, the program is well designed and prepares its students exceptionally well for the post-graduate teaching world.” -Danielle S., student at Cornell University
Student Review: “Cornell University is located in the beautiful city of Ithaca. Surrounded by Cayuga lake, a part of the finger lakes region, the campus stands tall atop a towering hill. With older, Gothic style buildings mixed with more modern structures, the campus conveys a true “college campus” feel for its students. While I enjoyed the vast majority of my experience at Cornell, I found its large class sizes to be difficult at times. This made it difficult to establish a connection with the professor and intimidating at times to ask questions. The social life and extracurricular activities are plentiful and I made life long friends during my time there. I will always remember the fall when the entire campus is covered in leaves of countless shades and colors and the winters when all you can see is white snow and the campus turns into a ‘winter wonderland.’ Overall I cherish my time spent at Cornell and I will return many times in the future to relive my fond memories of my undergraduate education.”

Corning Community College
1 Academic Dr
Corning, NY 14830
(607) 962-9011
www.corning-cc.edu/future/admissions/

DYouville College
320 Porter Ave
Buffalo, NY 14201-1084
(716) 829-8000
www.dyc.edu/admissions/index.asp

Daemen College
4380 Main St
Amherst, NY 14226-3592
(716) 839-3600
www.daemen.edu/admissions/

Dominican College of Blauvelt
470 Western Highway
Orangeburg, NY 10962-1210
(845) 359-7800
www.dc.edu/admissions.aspx

Dowling College
150 Idle Hour Blvd
Oakdale, NY 11769-1999
(631) 244-3000
WWW.DOWLING.EDU/admissions/

Dutchess Community College
53 Pendell Rd
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1595
(845) 431-8000

Elmira College
One Park Place
Elmira, NY 14901
(607) 735-1800

Erie Community College
121 Ellicott St
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 842-2770

Finger Lakes Community College
4355 Lake Shore Dr
Canandaigua, NY 14424-8395
(585) 394-3500
www.flcc.edu/admissions

Five Towns College
305 North Service Road
Dix Hills, NY 11746-5871
(631) 424-7000
www.ftc.edu/Admissions/adm_overview.php

Fordham University
441 E Fordham Rd
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 817-1000
www.fordham.edu/admissions/

Fulton-Montgomery Community College
2805 State Hwy 67
Johnstown, NY 12095-3790
(518) 762-4651
fmcc.pmhclients.com/index.php/Future_Students/Admissions/

Genesee Community College
One College Rd
Batavia, NY 14020
(585) 343-0055

Hartwick College
One Hartwick Drive
Oneonta, NY 13820-4020
(607) 431-4000
www.hartwick.edu/x10296.xml

Herkimer County Community College
100 Reservoir Rd
Herkimer, NY 13350-1598
(315) 866-0300

Hofstra University
100 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549
(516) 463-6600
www.hofstra.edu/admission

Student Review: “I enjoyed Hofstra’s music education program. I am almost finished and feel that it has prepared me for the outside world. They have brought in numerous groups and people that have enhanced my learning experience and brought real world application. I’ve been able to network with local professionals that have helped me to gain ground in the music world. I’ve also made lifelong friends in the music field and the confidence to work with them in the future. The University also provides ample performance opportunities in top notch ensembles. I’ve personally been involved in over 10 performing groups throughout my time in college. The university was also extremely helpful in placement of classes and clear with what we needed to do. Overall I would attend Hofstra again.” -Richard C., student at Hofstra University

Houghton College
1 Willard Ave
Houghton, NY 14744
(585) 567-9200
www.houghton.edu/admission

Hudson Valley Community College
80 Vandenburgh Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 629-4822
www.hvcc.edu/adm.html

Iona College
715 North Ave
New Rochelle, NY 10801-1890
(914) 633-2000

Ithaca College
953 Danby Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-3011
www.ithaca.edu/admission/

Jefferson Community College-Watertown
1220 Coffeen St
Watertown, NY 13601-1897
(315) 786-2200

Keuka College
141 Central Avenue
Keuka Park, NY 14478
(315) 279-5000
www.keuka.edu/admissions/

Long Island University-Brentwood
100 Second Avenue
Brentwood, NY 11717-5300
(631) 273-5112

Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus
University Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11201-5372
(718) 488-1000

Long Island University-C W Post Campus
720 Northern Blvd
Brookville, NY 11548-1300
(516) 299-2900

Long Island University-Rockland Campus
70 Route 340
Orangeburg, NY 10962-2219
(845) 359-7200

Manhattanville College
2900 Purchase St
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 694-2200
www.mville.edu/AdmissionsandFinancialAid/Default.aspx

Maria College of Albany
700 New Scotland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 438-3111
www.mariacollege.edu/Admissions/

Marist College
3399 North Rd
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 575-3000
www.marist.edu/admission/

Medaille College
18 Agassiz Circle
Buffalo, NY 14214-2695
(716) 880-2000

Mercy College
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(800) 637-2969
www.mercy.edu/admissions/

Molloy College
1000 Hempstead Ave
Rockville Centre, NY 11571-5002
(516) 678-5000

Mount Saint Mary College
330 Powell Avenue
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 561-0800
www.msmc.edu/admissions

Nazareth College
4245 East Ave
Rochester, NY 14618-3790
(585) 389-2525

Student Review: “Nazareth has a small but pretty campus. However, due to construction of new buildings and parking lots in more recent years, the campus has had more dusty/off limit areas and trees are disappearing. The food service is not very good, choices are not usually good and the taste is often times less than satisfactory. There seems to be a problem with Internet speed all across the campus, both through Wifi and when plugged directly in. The faculty here however, is the high point of the school. They are extremely well trained in their fields of teaching, and for the most part, are very good teachers, as well. They make sure students are ready for exams, and do their best to make class an enjoyable experience, as well.” -Elizabeth A., student at Nazareth College

New York Institute of Technology-Old Westbury
Northern Blvd
Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000
(516) 686-7516

New York University
70 Washington Sq South
New York, NY 10012-1091
(212) 998-1212
www.nyu.edu/admissions.html

Niagara County Community College
3111 Saunders Settlement Rd
Sanborn, NY 14132
(716) 614-6222

Niagara University
Niagara University, NY 14109
(716) 285-1212

Nyack College
1 South Blvd
Nyack, NY 10960-3698
(845) 358-1710

Orange County Community College
115 South St
Middletown, NY 10940
(845) 344-6222

Pace University-New York
1 Pace Plaza
New York, NY 10038-1598
(212) 346-1200
appserv.pace.edu/execute/page.cfm?doc_id=764

Pratt Institute-Main
200 Willoughby Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 636-3600

Roberts Wesleyan College
2301 Westside Dr
Rochester, NY 14624
(585) 594-6000

Rochester Institute of Technology
1 Lomb Memorial Dr
Rochester, NY 14623-5603
(585) 475-2411
www.rit.edu/admission

Student Review: “I found my experience at Rochester Institute of Technology to be academically stimulating and rewarding. I was able to develop close and collegial relationships with my professors, and particularly with my thesis adviser. The ability to take related courses in other disciplines was greatly beneficial in rounding out my education. One my favorite things about RIT is that the atmosphere is very down-to-earth and non-competitive. Outside of academics, the food is pretty good and the student run radio station (WITR) is great. As far as dislikes, Rochester is a very snowy and cold place to live. If you can’t handle long winters, Rochester is not for you. RIT is also a dry campus, meaning that parties can be easily shut down if alcohol is present. Lastly, the immediate area around RIT is not that interesting, however the city of Rochester does offer some wonderful arts and cultural events, as well as some great restaurants and bars.” -Anthony A., student at Rochester Institute of Technology

SUNY College at Brockport
350 New Campus Dr
Brockport, NY 14420-2919
(716) 395-2211
www.brockport.edu/admissions/

SUNY College at Buffalo
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 878-4000
www.buffalostate.edu/admissions.xml

SUNY College at Cortland
Cortland, NY 13045-0900
(607) 753-2011

Student Review: “The education program at SUNY Cortland is unlike any other. The faculty treats each and every one of their students with respect and allow for the maximum amount of retention for everything they teach you in their programs. The faculty also is one of the most respected and well renown group of people on the east coast. I think my favorite part of the program was the fact that there were so many opportunities around the community and school to further my progress as a future educator and professional. Networking was also a great part of SUNY Cortland since the program has such an established name for itself that others know you are part of a unique group of professionals.” -Matt E., student at SUNY College at Cortland

SUNY College at New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561-2443
(845) 257-2121
www.newpaltz.edu/admissions/

SUNY College at Old Westbury
223 Store Hill Rd
Old Westbury, NY 11568-0210
(516) 876-3000
www.oldwestbury.edu/admissions/

SUNY College at Oneonta
Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820-4015
(607) 436-3500
www.oneonta.edu/home/Prospective_Students/ps.asp

SUNY College at Oswego
7060 State Route 104
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 312-2500
www.oswego.edu/admissions

SUNY College at Plattsburgh
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901-2681
(518) 564-2000
www.plattsburgh.edu/admissions/

SUNY College at Potsdam
Pierrepont Ave
Potsdam, NY 13676-2294
(315) 267-2000
www.potsdam.edu/admissions/

SUNY Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
(914) 606-6600
www.sunywcc.edu/admissions/admissions_index.htm

SUNY at Albany
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
(518) 442-3300
www.albany.edu/admissions.php

SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal Pky E
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
(607) 777-2000
admissions.binghamton.edu

SUNY at Fredonia
Central Ave
Fredonia, NY 14063-1136
(716) 673-3111
www.fredonia.edu/admissions/

SUNY at Geneseo
1 College Circle
Geneseo, NY 14454-1465
(585) 245-5211
admissions.geneseo.edu

Sage College of Albany
140 New Scotland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 292-1717

Saint Bonaventure University
Route 417
Saint Bonaventure, NY 14778
(716) 375-2000
www.sbu.edu/admissions.aspx

Saint John Fisher College
3690 East Ave
Rochester, NY 14618-3597
(585) 385-8000
www.sjfc.edu/admissions

Saint Josephs College-Main Campus
245 Clinton Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205-3688
(718) 636-6800

Saint Josephs College-Suffolk Campus
155 W Roe Blvd
Patchogue, NY 11772-2399
(631) 447-3200

Saint Thomas Aquinas College
125 Rte 340
Sparkill, NY 10976-1050
(845) 398-4000
www.stac.edu/stac_admissions/index.html

Schenectady County Community College
78 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 381-1200
www.sunysccc.edu/adm-fin/admissions.htm

School of Visual Arts
209 E 23rd St
New York, NY 10010
(212) 592-2000
www.sva.edu/admissions

St. Francis College
180 Remsen St
Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201-9902
(718) 522-2300

St. Johns University-New York
8000 Utopia Pky
Queens, NY 11439
(718) 990-6161
www.stjohns.edu/admission

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-6000
www.stonybrook.edu/sb/admissions.shtml

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244-1100
(315) 443-1870
admissions.syr.edu/

Teachers College at Columbia University
525 W 120th St
New York, NY 10027
(212) 678-3000
www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/

The College of New Rochelle
29 Castle Pl
New Rochelle, NY 10805-2339
(914) 632-5300
www.cnr.edu/academics/admissions-index.htm

The College of Saint Rose
432 Western Ave
Albany, NY 12203-1490
(518) 454-5111
www.strose.edu/Future_Students/Undergraduate_Admission/home.asp

Student Review: “My educational experience at St. Rose still resonantes as one of the most profound of my life. I was held to a much higher standard and of education than most programs offer. I engaged in excellent pedgological discourse with professors who engaged me into learning not only the curriculum, but to participate in it. The professors were analytical, thought provoking and strove to maintain high standards in the classroom, which in turn influenced me to work as hard for them as they did for me. I was provided with rich data-driven instruction promoted by differentiated learning styles. Professors actually walked the talk of the educational swinging pendulum and implemented diverse methods into the classroom to engage student learning. In sum, it was the best educational experience of my life.” -Andrea V., student at The College of Saint Rose

Ulster County Community College
491 Cottekill Rd
Stone Ridge, NY 12484
(845) 687-5000
www.sunyulster.edu/prospective_students/admissions/index.jsp

University at Buffalo
3435 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
(716) 645-2000
admissions.buffalo.edu/

University of Rochester
240 Wallis Hall
Rochester, NY 14627-0011
(585) 275-2121

Utica College
1600 Burrstone Rd
Utica, NY 13502-4892
(315) 792-3111
utica.edu/enrollment/admissions/

Villa Maria College Buffalo
240 Pine Ridge Rd
Buffalo, NY 14225-3999
(716) 896-0700

Wagner College
One Campus Rd
Staten Island, NY 10301-4495
(718) 390-3100
www.wagner.edu/admissions

Page edited by Charles Sipe.

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