E-mail this pageCertification Requirements
Requirements for an Initial Certificate:
Upon successful completion of your program and passing scores on New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE), you will apply for Initial Certification. The Initial Certification is valid for five years (a one-year extension is possible with 24 semester hours of approved graduate study); your FIRST year of teaching must be mentored. During this five-year period, you must complete requirements for the professional certificate. For more information, visit New York State Department of Education's Certification Requirements FAQs page.
Steps to Initial Certification
- Completion of all SUNY Plattsburgh's degree requirements
- Successful completion of all required NYSTCE. For more specific information concerning the New York State Certification Exams, see information below and go to: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com (Preparation Guides, Test Frameworks, NYSTCE registration information, and test dates and locations).
- Completion of a TEACH Waiver Consent Form AND the TEACH Online Application for Certification (See "Important Certification Links" below).
- Payment of applicable fees for the TEACH application.
- Fingerprinting.
- U.S. citizenship is not required for initial certification.
Requirements for a Professional Certificate:
- Master's degree - http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/relatedmasters.htm
- Three years teaching experience - your FIRST year must be mentored.
- Renewed every five years with 175 hours of professional development.
- Professional certification is available only to citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.
Required New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE)
Childhood Education (Grades 1-6):
- Take the Liberal Arts & Sciences Test (LAST) the first semester of your Junior year.
- The Multi-Subject Content Specialty Test (CST) should be taken in the second semester of your Junior year.
- The Elementary version of the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) should be taken either during the first semester of your Senior year or during Student Teaching.
Dual Certification Program in Special/Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) - No longer offered to incoming students after fall 2007:
- Take the Liberal Arts & Sciences Test (LAST) the second semester of your Sophomore year.
- The Multi-Subject Content Specialty Test (CST) should be taken the first semester of your Junior year.
- The Elementary Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) should be taken during the second semester of your Junior year.
- The Students with Disabilities CST should be taken either your first semester of your Senior year or during Student Teaching.
Adolescence Education Program (Grades 7-12 in various subjects):
- Take the Liberal Arts & Sciences Test (LAST) the first semester of your Junior year.
- You should take the Content Specialty Test (CST) in your respective discipline the second semester of your Junior year.
- The Secondary version of the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) should be taken either during your Professional Semester (first semester Senior) or during Student Teaching.
Important Certification Links
TEACH Online Application and Database System
- A TEACH Waiver Consent Form must be completed for SUNY Plattsburgh to recommend you for certification!! Log onto BANNER and go to Student Menu and click on Student Records Menu. Click on "Teach Waiver Consent Form" and click "ACCEPT."
- TEACH Tutorial
- TEACH Online Application
- Program Table 1 (Listing of Undergraduate degrees, programs, and majors and their program codes)
- Program Table 2
(Listing of Graduate degrees, programs and majors and their program codes)
- Important Certification Information on Mrs. Bethanne DelGaudio's Web site.
- Information concerning the New York State Certification Exams (Preparation Guides, Test Frameworks, NYSTCE registration information, and test dates & locations).
- Check the current status of an application submitted to the Office of Teaching Initiatives within the past five years.
Teaching In Other States:
New York has interstate contracts (Reciprocal Certification Agreements ) with more than 40 other states and jurisdictions.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you would like to learn more about the Childhood Education Program, please drop us a line: education@plattsburgh.edu
Dr. Michael Morgan, Acting Chair
Office: Sibley Hall 406
Phone: (518) 564-5178
Fax: (518) 564-2149
morganmd@plattsburgh.edu
Jill Myers, Secretary
Phone: (518) 564-2154
E-mail: Jill.Myers@plattsburgh.edu