Certification

For more information about our programs please contact us at education@pace.edu, or call (914) 773-3872 (Westchester campus), or (212) 346-1512 (New York City campus). 
 

 

111Application Process
 60New York State Teacher Certification Exams

All Pace University teacher preparation programs meet or exceed the academic requirements for New York State teacher certification.  Upon completion of a Pace teacher education program, teacher candidates are recommended to New York State Education Department for the teaching certificate(s) connected with that program. 

 

 
There are two levels of New York State teaching certificates, the Initial Certificate and the Professional Certificate.   The Initial Certificate is the minimum certification required to teach in public schools in the State of New York.  To earn the Initial Certificate, candidates must complete specific coursework and related requirements including New York State Tests and fingerprint clearance.   This certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance and leads to the Professional Certificate.   The Professional Certificate is required to continue teaching in New York.  To earn the professional certificate requires one year of mentored teaching experience and 3 years of full-time, paid teaching experience.   This certificate is continuously valid with completion of state mandated professional development on a 5 year cycle.   
 
Once the requirements for initial/professional certification are completed, extensions to these certificates can be earned in a variety of specialty areas. An extension alone cannot be used to qualify someone to teach. Any extension must be combined with a certificate.  Each additional extension requires a different set of course work, field-based experiences, and certification examinations.
 
 
The Pace School of Education programs lead to certification in the following areas:
  • Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) – BS, MST
  • Adolescent Education, (Grades 7-12) – BS, MST, Adv Cert  (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English, Earth Science, Mathematics, Languages other than English, Social Studies,  Visual Arts, Business Education, Literacy (Grades B-6 or 5-9) - MSEd
  • Teaching Students with Disabilities, formerly Special Education – (Grades 1-6 or 7-12) – MSEd, Adol Adv Cert
  • Educational Technology Specialist – (all grades) – MSEd, Adv Cert
  • School Building Leader (Educational Leadership) ( all grades) MSEd, Adv Cert
 
 
71 To be recommended for certification by the Pace University School of Education candidates in the following programs must:
 

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • complete all degree requirements (as agreed upon with advisor)
  • provide an official Pace transcript showing that the degree has been awarded
  • provide evidence of completing NYSTC Examination requirements
  • complete the child abuse and school violence prevention workshops

Master of Science for Teachers (MST) or Advanced Certificate programs must:

  • complete all degree requirements including any deficiencies in Liberal Arts and Sciences and/or Content Area as noted in the admission letter,
  • complete the child abuse and school violence prevention workshops available online within - TCH 211A and TCH 211B required for Childhood candidates and TCH 211A required for Adolescent candidates
  • document all required observation hours as required by their specific program
  • provide an official Pace transcript showing that the degree has been awarded
  • provide evidence of completing NYSTC Examination requirements

Master of Science in Education (MSEd) programs must:

  • complete all degree requirements
  • provide an official Pace transcript showing that the degree has been awarded
  • provide evidence of completing NYSTC Examination requirements 
  • complete the child abuse and school violence prevention workshops

Additional information regarding New York State Teaching Certificates including time limits and specific criteria can be obtained at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.

For information on certificate requirements in other states contact the teacher certification bureau for that state.