Timetable for Teacher Certification

New York State Certification and New York City Public Schools Employment

New York State Certification

NYU Steinhardt will recommend you for Certification to the NYS Education Department in Albany upon graduation.  You will first apply online.  Online application packets with instructions are available from your department's certification liaison.  You will be recommended for an:

Initial Certificate, valid for five years.  Prior to graduation you must first: 

A.  Pass the required New York State Teacher Certification Exams

• Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
• Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (ATS-W) (Elementary or Secondary)
• Content Specialty Test in your area (dual program completers will need two CSTs)

Contact your deparment's certifcation liaison or the Steinhardt Certifcation Officer for specific exam requirements for your major.

Register and download study guides at http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/

B.  Have Fingerprints processed (required both for student teaching in NYC public schools and NYS certification)

Attend an on campus NYCDOE Fingerprint session or

Once your name has been submitted as a student teacher to NYC public schools by the Field Office you may go to the NYCDOE at 65 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 for processing.

C.  Complete our approved teacher certification degree program

The next level of certification in NYS is a:

Professional Certificate, valid for five years.  You will again apply online and may request NYU to recommend you by Ms. Villani if you are completing your M.A. with NYU.  You must first:

A.  Complete master's degree (which you may have already done)

B. Complete three years of teaching experience including one year of mentored teaching experience (you will be assigned a mentor in your school)

The Professional Certificate must be renewed every five years by completing 175 hours of professional development (which is equivalent to 12 credit hours)

New York City Public Schools Employment

NYC Public Schools require that propective employees apply online at http://schools.nyc.gov/TeachNYC/ 

You will be asked to submit a letter documenting that you are currently enrolled in a teacher certification program and the date that you are expected to complete all requirements.  Contact your deparment's certifcation liaison or the Steinhardt Certifcation Officer for this letter.  You may then fax this letter to the NYCDOE to 718-935-3532, Attention: Pending Documents.