Certification

New York State Certification

New York State Certification Exams Change

(see Required NYS Teacher Certification Examinations below)

Initial Certification

• Initial certification is the first New York State certificate and is effective for 5 years from the issuance date.
• Complete School of Education approved undergraduate or graduate teacher prep program.
• Pass New York State teacher exams: LAST (Liberal Arts & Sciences), ATS-W (Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written), and CST (Content Specialty Test).
• Complete fingerprinting process at least 6 months prior to graduation.
• Candidates should apply for this certification within 2 years of graduation to be eligible for School of Education’s recommendation.

 Professional Certification

• Must be earned before initial certificate expires.
• New York State teacher exams are not required (with the exception of Speech & Language Disabilities).
• Requires completion of a Masters degree in a related area of initial certification.
• Requires completion of 3 years full time teaching employment.
• Requires completion of professional development through school district employer.

Options for those with Initial Certification Earned at the Bachelors level

• Earn Masters degree leading to professional certification in area of initial certification.
• Earn Masters degree in a new certification area.
• Earn Masters degree, provided that 12 graduate credits of content related to the initial certificate are completed (as part of the Masters or in addition to it), as specified by New York State (must apply for certification directly to New York State Department of Education).

Checklist of Steps to file for New York State Certification

• Successfully pass the required New York State Teacher Certification exams. Test dates, registration and preparation guides are available at www.nystce.nesinc.com. 
• Apply for fingerprinting clearance at least 6 months prior to graduation at 150 Huntington Hall or call 315-443-2685.
• Meet with an advisor in the Office of Academic and Student Services, 111 Waverly Ave., Suite 230, to confirm that all degree requirements will be completed. Call 315-443-9319.
• Complete the Child Health & Life Safety online seminar. Call 315-443-9319 for more information regarding registration.
• Apply for certification through NYSED TEACH Online Services at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/. Directions will be made available prior to graduation.

Recommendation for Certification

• Online certification recommendation will be completed once award date is posted on transcript (typically 4-6 weeks after graduation).

Out-of-State Teacher Certification

• Each state has specific teacher certification requirement; therefore, it is recommended that students search each state’s education department web site for the most up-to-date information.

Child Health & Life Safety Seminar

• If you are in a teacher preparation program leading to a New York State Certification, you are required to complete the Child Health & Life Safety Seminar.
• The Office of Academic and Student Services is offering this mandated seminar in an online format via Blackboard.
• The six required topic areas are Child Abuse Recognition, Violence Prevention, Alcohol/Drug/Tobacco Prevention, Child Abduction Prevention, Fire and Arson Prevention, and Highway/General Safety.
• The seminar is free of charge to Syracuse University students, who will be eligible for institutional recommendation for New York State Certification and/or need the seminar for graduation.
• Upon completion of the seminar, you will need to arrange to take an online final exam, which is being offered by the Office of Academic and Student Services.
• You must complete the seminar and pass the exam BEFORE student teaching.
• Call 315-443-9319 for more information regarding registration.

Fingerprinting 

• Required for New York State certification.
• Apply for fingerprinting clearance at least 6 months prior to graduation.
• Hours for processing are Monday-Friday 9-11am or 2-4pm at 150 Huntington Hall.
• Requires SUID and a $94.25 money order made payable to New York State Education Department. Cash and personal checks not accepted.
• Call 315-443-2685 for additional inquires regarding this process.
• Inquiries regarding whether previous fingerprinting applies for certification, please contact Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability, New York State Education Department, 987 Education Building Annex, Albany, NY 12234. Phone 518-473-2998 or email OSPRA@mail.nysed.gov.

Required New York State Teacher Certification Examinations

New York State Certification Exams Change

The New York State Education Department is developing new certification exams.  The latest information available to us suggests that students graduating in May 2013 or after, should wait for the new NYS certification exams to be available before beginning testing.  It is expected that the new exams will be implemented in 2012.  Once this information becomes available to the School of Education, we will inform you.  Please see the NYSED web site for more details and updates at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/certexamsl2011.html

• LAST – Liberal Arts and Sciences Test
• ATS-W – Elementary and/or Secondary Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written
• CST – Content Specialty Test
• 2 CSTs are required for the Inclusive Elementary and Special Education, Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education and Early Childhood Special Education programs. These tests are the Multi-subject and Students with Disabilities.
• Test dates, registration, preparation guides and general information can be found on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations web site at: www.nystce.nesinc.com.

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

* Program offered through School of Information Studies
** Program offered through College of Arts & Sciences