Teacher Certification

Which teacher certification programs am I eligible for?

All undergraduate majors except for selected studies in education meet the academic requirements for at least one New York State initial teacher certification.

Many of our master’s degrees and CAS programs that lead to New York State certification are open to students with no previous study in education, while some require previous certification. Many of these programs require liberal arts distribution courses as prerequisites; whether or not these need to be taken before admission varies by program. See the Admissions page under each program for more on liberal arts distribution courses, liberal arts concentrations, and other specific admissions requirements.

All of our master’s programs that lead to initial/professional or just professional certification can also be used to meet the master’s degree requirement for professional certification in any other existing initial certification areas.

For more information contact:

Heather Macknik, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
hmmackni@syr.edu|315.443.4269
Heather Macknik
Breana Nieves Vergara, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
bknieves@syr.edu|315.443.2505
Breana Nieves Vergara
Lauren Gill, Career and Certification Counselor
lcschmid@syr.edu|315.443.2956
Lauren Schmidt

Undergraduate Majors/Degree Programs

Undergraduate Program Graduates meet academic requirements for
Undergraduate ProgramInclusive Childhood Education, B.S. Graduates meet academic requirements forInitial certification Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Students with Disabilities (All Grades).
Undergraduate ProgramInclusive Adolescent Education, B.S. Graduates meet academic requirements forInitial certification Grades 7-12 Content Area (English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies) and Students with Disabilities (All Grades)
Undergraduate ProgramMusic Education, B.Mus. Graduates meet academic requirements forInitial certification in Music (All Grades)

Master’s Degree Programs

Note: as of November 2021, GRE and similar entrance exams are no longer required for applications for teacher certification master’s degree programs in New York State. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Master’s Program Required Undergraduate or Content Area Background Required Existing New York State Certification Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:
Master’s ProgramArts Education (PreK-Grade 12), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundMajor or minimum 30 credits of studio and/or design, art history, and contemporary arts survey courses. Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing Visual Arts certification. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in Visual Arts (all grades).
Master’s ProgramChildhood Education (Grades 1-6), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundLiberal arts major or concentration (consult with department). Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing Childhood Education (grades 1-6). Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in Childhood Education (grades 1-6)
Master’s ProgramEarly Childhood Special Education (Birth-Grade 2), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundLiberal arts major or concentration (consult with department). Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing Students with Disabilities (birth-grade 2) certification, but Early Childhood (birth-grade 2) is accepted. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in both Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 2) & Students with Disabilities (birth-grade 2)
Master’s ProgramEnglish Education (Grades 7-12), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundMajor or 30 undergraduate credits in English and writing intensive coursework (including specific content) Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing English Language Arts certification. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in English Language Arts (grades 7-12).
Master’s ProgramInclusive Special Education (Grades 1-6), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundPresumed completed for initial certification. Required Existing New York State CertificationInitial certification in Childhood Education (grades 1-6). Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in Students with Disabilities (grades 1-6).
Master’s ProgramInclusive Special Education (Grades 7-12 Generalist), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundLiberal arts major or concentration (consult with department). Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in Students with Disabilities (grades 7-12).
Master’s ProgramLiteracy Education (Birth-Grade 12), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundPresumed completed for initial certification. Required Existing New York State CertificationInitial certification in any teaching area. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional Certification in Literacy (Birth-Grade 6 and Grades 5-12).
Master’s ProgramMathematics Education (Grades 7-12), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundMajor or 33 undergraduate credits in mathematics (including specific content). Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing Mathematics certification. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in Mathematics (grades 7-12).
Master’s ProgramMusic Education: Preparation (PreK-Grade 12), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundDegree with an accredited major in music. Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing music certification. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and professional certification in Music (all grades).
Master’s ProgramMusic Education: Professional (PreK-Grade 12), M.Mus. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundPresumed completed for initial certification. Required Existing New York State CertificationInitial certification in Music (all grades). Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Professional certification in Music (all grades).
Master’s ProgramSchool Counseling (P-12), M.S.
** The CAS in School Counseling leads to provisional / permanent certification.
Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundRelevant work experience. required. Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification as a School Counselor.
Master’s ProgramScience Education (Grades 7-12), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundMajor or 30 undergraduate credits in science content area (including specific content; see program page for subject specific majors). Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing Science certification. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics (grades 7-12).
Master’s ProgramSocial Studies Education (Grades 7-12), M.S. Required Undergraduate or Content Area BackgroundMajor or 39 credits in history or social sciences area. Required Existing New York State CertificationNot required. Must have NO existing Social Studies certification. Graduates meet academic requirements for New York State:Initial and Professional certification in Social Studies (grades 7-12).

CAS Programs

CAS Program Content Area Background Existing NYS Certification Graduates meet academic requirements for
CAS ProgramEducational Leadership, CAS Content Area BackgroundMaster’s degree. Existing NYS CertificationNot required. Graduates meet academic requirements forInitial and professional certification as a School Building Leader; Professional certification as a School District Leader.
CAS ProgramSchool Counseling, CAS
** The M.S. in School Counseling leads to initial / professional certification.
Content Area BackgroundMaster’s degree (or concurrent enrollment) in a counseling field Existing NYS CertificationNot required. Provisional certification as a School Counselor is accepted. Graduates meet academic requirements forProvisional certification as a School Counselor if not already attained; Permanent certification as a School Counselor.