About this Pathway 1

This route is often referred to as the traditional route to teaching in which a candidate earns a four-year undergraduate teaching degree from an approved undergraduate teacher preparation program. High school students may typically choose from one of three common routes.

Requirements

To get a teaching certificate in this pathway, you need:

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an approved undergraduate
    teacher preparation program*
  2. Workshops
    a. Dignity For All Students Act (DASA) Workshop
    b. Child Abuse Identification Workshop
    c. School Violence Intervention and Prevention Workshop
  3. Fingerprint clearance

*Candidates in route two will obtain both an Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degree. Candidates in route three will obtain both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. All candidates in this pathway will need at least a Bachelor’s degree to qualify for initial certification.

Routes

1. Four-Year College

  • Enroll directly in an undergraduate teacher preparation program at a traditional four-year college of education in New York State

2. Community College + Transfer to Four-Year College

  • Enroll at a community college (may obtain an Associate’s degree in education) in New York State
  • Transfer to an approved undergraduate teacher preparation program at a traditional four-year college for a Bachelor’s degree in New York State

3. Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Program

  • Enroll in an undergraduate teacher preparation program at a traditional four-year college that offers a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Program in New York State
  • Complete undergraduate admission requirements for the combined Bachelor’s and Master’s program
  • Apply to the combined program
  • Enroll in the combined Bachelor’s and Master’s program

This pathway ends with the candidate earning a Bachelor’s degree. Once the candidate completes the other New York State certification requirements, a candidate earns his or her initial teaching certification.

Find a program for Pathway 1.

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