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Questions about New York State teacher certification come up often in the admissions process. We are pleased to provide applicants to our master's programs with the following basic information that applies only to those who are seeking teacher certification for the first time (initial certification aka pre-service) through NYU’s state approved master's programs. The information provided here reflects only information regarding acceptance and completion of NYU’s state-approved teacher certification programs.

To be eligible for consideration to our teacher certification master’s degree programs, applicants must meet the content core requirements for their intended certification area as regulated by the New York State Education Department. Generally this means having completed an undergraduate or graduate major in the proposed certification area as well as certain liberal arts courses.

When reviewing applications the Admissions Committee first determines an applicant’s eligibility by evaluating his or her academic credentials against these teacher certification requirements. In addition, NYU Steinhardt students seeking institutional recommendation for teacher certification must fulfill New York State’s mandated field requirements.

Below you will find detailed information about NYU’s content core requirements by Teacher Certification Area that must be met prior to enrolling in a Steinhardt graduate degree program. These take into account any content courses included in our master’s curriculum. Course deficiencies may be fulfilled by enrolling for college-level courses at any regionally accredited college or by completing approved College Board CLEP exams. In reviewing applications, the Admissions Committee evaluates courses appearing on your college transcript(s). Advanced Placement (AP) or CLEP credits will be included in the review.  

For guidance on what is considered a liberal arts or sciences, please see NYSED Policy Statement on Liberal Arts.

Childhood / Early Childhood Education including Dual Programs with Special Education
(CSEC, ESEE)

  • Liberal arts major or 30 semester hours in a single liberal arts concentration
  • 3 semester hours of English
  • 3 semester hours of mathematics (includes statistics)
  • 3 semester hours of natural or physical sciences
  • 3 semester hours of social science/studies
  • 3 semester hours of a language other than English. American Sign Language is acceptable.

Art Education (AREI)

  • 36 semester hours in studio art and art history; a maximum of 12 hours can be in art history

Educational Theatre (EDTA)

  • 30 semester hours of drama, theatre, dramatic literature, or their equivalent

Dual Educational Theatre and English (ETED)

  • 30 semester hours of educational theatre
  • 30 semester hours of English including dramatic literature

Dual Educational Theatre and Social Studies (ETSS)

  • 9 semester hours of acting, directing and production
  • 9 semester hours of dramatic literature
  • 6 semester hours of theatre history
  • 15 semester hours of history and geography of the U.S. and the world
  • 3 semester hours of economics
  • 3 semester hours of government, or political science
  • 3 semester hours in the social sciences with the exception of psychology and philosophy

Dance Education (DATC)

Music Education (MUSA)

  • 36 semester hours of music

English Education (TTMH:ENG)

  • English major or 30 semester hours in English that includes 12 semester hours of literature, 3-6 semester hours in language, and 3-6 semester hours in writing

Dual English Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities (ENGG)

  • English major or 30 semester hours in English that includes 12 semester hours of literature, 3-6 semester hours in language, and 3-6 semester hours in writing 
  • 6 semester hours of mathematics (includes statistics)
  • 6 semester hours of natural or physical sciences
  • 6 semester hours of social science/studies

Social Studies Education (TTMH:SST)

  • 15 semester hours of history and geography of the U.S. and the world
  • 3 semester hours of government, politics, or political science
  • 3 semester hours of economics
  • 3 additional semester hours of history, geography, government, politics, political science, economics, sociology or anthropology

Science Education 7-12 (TTMH:BIO, TTMH:CHM, TTMH:ETS, TTMH:PHY)

  • Biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics major or 30 semester hours in biology, chemistry, earth science or physics

Special Education: Teaching Students with Disabilities 7-12 (TTMH:SDG)

  • 30 credits in a single liberal arts major or concentration 
  • 6 semester hours of English language arts
  • 6 semester hours of mathematics (includes statistics)
  • 6 semester hours of natural or physical sciences
  • 6 semester hours of social studies/social sciences

Special Education: Teaching Students with Disabilities 7-12 and Computer Science, All Grades (TTSC)

  • 12 semester hours of computer science (covering impacts of computing, computational thinking, networks and system design, and cybersecurity)
  • Liberal arts major or 30 semester hours in a single liberal arts concentration
  • 6 semester hours of mathematics (includes statistics)
  • 6 semester hours of social studies/social sciences
  • 6 semester hours of English language arts
  • 6 semester hours of natural or physical sciences

Dual Social Studies Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities (SOCG)

  • 15 semester hours of history and geography of the U.S. and the world
  • 3 semester hours of government, politics, or political science
  • 3 semester hours of economics
  • 3 additional semester hours of history, geography, government, politics, political science, economics, sociology or anthropology
  • 6 semester hours of English
  • 6 semester hours of mathematics (includes statistics)
  • 6 semester hours of natural or physical sciences

Mathematics Education (TTMH:MTC)

  • 30 credits of acceptable mathematics content at a Calculus 1 level and above, including two semesters of calculus

World Language Education (FLCE, FLFH, FLIN, FLJE, FLSH)

  • Major in the target language or 30 semester hours of coursework in the target language

English as a Second Language (TSOG)

  • Liberal arts major or 30 semester hours in a single liberal arts concentration
  • 12 semester hours of a language other than English

Dual World Language Education and English as a Second Language (FLTS)

  • Major in the target language or 30 semester hours of coursework in the target language
Fieldwork Requirements

Once enrolled, NYU Steinhardt students seeking institutional recommendation for teacher certification must complete two distinct field components: one semester of field work and two semesters of student teaching. New York State mandates that all students beginning Teacher Certification programs must complete 100 hours of field work (150 hours for dual certification programs) prior to student teaching. This means that all full-time first-semester students will be required to spend no fewer than two mornings per week to satisfy the field work requirement. The Office of Clinical Studies will assign students in field placements at NYU affiliated New York City Schools. In addition, all teacher certification program students must complete at least two semesters of NYU supervised student teaching in NYU affiliated schools. NYU Steinhardt faculty have determined that given our placement in a large urban center, at least one of the placements must be in a school serving a population of students of whom at least 50% are eligible for free or reduced lunch. While you may begin one of NYU’s teacher certification programs on a part-time basis, the demands of New York State’s mandated student teaching require, in effect, a full-time commitment during the school day (typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.). 

We hope this information is useful in planning your teaching career.  Please direct any specific questions to the appropriate office noted below. 

NYU Steinhardt, Office of Graduate Admissions
(Admissions, financial aid, and housing questions)
Pless Hall, 3rd Floor
82 Washington Square East
212-998-5030
steinhardt.gradadmissions@nyu.edu

NYU Steinhardt Certification Officer
Mark J. Perez 
NYU Steinhardt, Office of Student Affairs
82 Washington Square East, Room 229 
New York, NY 10003 
212-998-5033 
212-995-4353 (fax)

New York State Education Department
Office of College and University Evaluation

New York State Education Department
(Certification issues, teaching policy, and supportive services for teachers, schools, and the public)
Office of Teaching Initiatives
Certification Unit
NYS Education Department
5N Education Building
Albany, NY 12234
518-474-3901