Teacher Certification

Requirements

Fingerprinting

Click this link: New York State Education Department ("NYSED") to view fingerprinting instructions, and to get the Service Code or URL for fingerprinting.

State certification workshops

Both required workshops are offered at Nazareth University to current students:

EDU 485 (undergraduate) or EDU 593 (graduate): Dignity For All Students Act (DASA) workshop, covering prevention of discrimination and bullying.
EDU 475 (undergraduate) or EDU 583 (graduate): Health Education/Child Abuse & Violence Prevention.

The workshop fees, specified on the current students cost page under "department fees" will be charged to your Nazareth bill.

State certification tests

All applicants for initial certification (these exams apply to students who are applying for their first certification) are required to take:

Educating All Students Test (EAS)
Content Specialty Tests (CST) vary, as does the timing, based on what you want to teach. See details below for each program.

*As of April 27, 2022 the edTPA requirement for teacher certification is no longer required.

Graduate students pursuing additional/professional certifications are required to take Content Specialty Tests (CST) detailed below.

Register for certification tests

New York State provides a list of test sites and registration information. You also can check your registration status, make registration changes, get preparation materials and get unofficial test results on that webpage.

Final step to get certified

You must apply for each certification, using Nazareth-specific program codes, through the state TEACH system. Process details will be shared during the last semester of your program. If you have questions contact: Nazareth Certification Office at tcert@naz.edu, 585-389-2592 or 585-389-2051.

Student application instructions to apply for teacher certification »

Once you successfully complete all coursework, Nazareth University will recommend you to New York state for certification.

Content Specialty Test Details:

Undergraduate Programs

Art Education

Late in program: Content Specialty Test (CST) - Visual Arts

Inclusive Adolescence Education

After taking ADIN 440/441 (summer before senior year): Students with Disabilities
After taking ADIN 440/441 (summer before senior year): Multi-Subject: Secondary Teachers
Late senior year: Certification area (such as Math or English)

Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education

After taking INCH 410/411 (summer before student teaching): Students with Disabilities
After taking INCH 410/411 (summer before student teaching): Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grades 1- 6) and Multi-Subject: Teachers of Early Childhood (Birth - Grade 2)
Part three of the test is the same for all Multi-Subject Tests. A candidate applying for multiple Multi-Subject certificates only needs to take and pass part three once.

Music Education

Late in program: Content Specialty Test (CST) - Music

Speech and Language Disabilities

No CST required.

Graduate Programs

ACCESS Program

Content Specialty Tests (CST):

Early in program: Certification area (such as Math or English)
After taking ADIN 440/441 (summer before student teaching): Students with Disabilities
After taking ADIN 440/441 (summer before student teaching): Multi-Subject: Secondary Teachers

Inclusive Adolescence Education

Content Specialty Tests (CST):

Early in program: CST – Certification area (such as Math or English)
Late in program: CST – Students with Disabilities
Late in program: CST – Multi-Subject: Secondary Teachers

Inclusive Childhood Education

Content Specialty Tests (CST):

Late in program: Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grades 1- 6)
Late in program: Students with Disabilities

Inclusive Early Childhood Education

Content Specialty Tests (CST):

Late in program: Multi-Subject: Teachers of Early Childhood (Birth – Grade 2)
Late in program: Students with Disabilities

Literacy Specialist

Late in program: Content Specialty Test (CST) - Literacy

Speech and Language Disabilities

Late in program: New York State Teacher Certification Exam – Speech and Language Pathology (Praxis II)

TESOL Education

Late in program: Content Specialty Test (CST) – ESOL

Visual Arts

Late in program: Content Specialty Test (CST) - Visual Arts

Extension for Bilingual Education

Late in program: Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) in Spanish

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Nazareth University developed the teacher educator programs to meet the criteria established by the New York State Education Department for teacher certification. The following in-person and online academic programs lead to New York State teacher certification:

B.A. or B.S. Early and Childhood Inclusive Education
B.A. or B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education
B.S. Art Education
Bachelor of Music

MSED Art Education
MSED Inclusive Adolescence Education
MSED Inclusive Childhood Education
MSED Inclusive Early Childhood Education
MSED Inclusive Education Specialty Program
MSED Literacy Specialist
MSED Music Education
MSED TESOL
MSED TESOL and Adolescence
M.S. Speech-Language Pathology

Bilingual Extension
Gifted Education Extension
Secondary Education Certification (ACCESS)
Teaching Students with Severe or Multiple Disabilities Annotation
TESOL Certification Post-Masters
Literacy Specialist Post-Masters
Music Education Post-Masters

Our educator preparation programs do not lead to teacher certification or licensure in other states outside of New York. However, earning New York State teacher certification can lead to a pathway toward certification in another state. In most states, the simplest pathway to attain licensure in another state after completing a teacher preparation program is through an application for interstate reciprocity. As a result, it is strongly encouraged that you receive the New York State certification prior to applying for the equivalent in another state. The Nazareth Teacher Certification Office is available to complete forms and/or letters for out of state teacher certification upon the completion of your approved teacher preparation program. Please contact tcert@naz.edu for support in this process.

Contact information for teacher certification in New York State:
New York State Department of Education
Office of Teaching Initiatives
https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR STATE CERTIFICATION OFFICES

Alabama