Applying for graduation
In the semester when you are planning to finish your degree, you need to apply for graduation. You should apply early in the semester (e.g., by late October, February, or early June). To do so, go into your MyUAlbany account and click on the link that says "Apply for Graduation". This will trigger the "degree clearance" process. We will review your program plan and forward it to Graduate Admissions. Then, you will receive a letter in the mail stating any final requirements that you need to complete. We encourage you to attend the graduation ceremonies, however you must apply for graduation even if you are not planning to attend commencement. For more information, visit this link: http://www.albany.edu/commencement/

Applying for Certification

In May 2006, the New York State Education Department moved to a new online process for teacher certification applications called TEACH.  This is a four-step process:

(a) applying for degree clearance (see above)

(b) applying for certification through TEACH

(c) apply for a recommendation through the university

(d) meeting all of the certification requirements. 

To apply for certification, we strongly encourage students to attend a TEACH workshop.  After you apply for degree clearance, you will receive an email invitiation to the workshop. The times and dates for these TEACH workshops are available at http://apps.albany.edu/graduate/cert.php

In the workshop, you will complete your online application and submit all the necessary paperwork to Graduate Admissions for an "institutional recommendation" for certification. 

If you do not attend a TEACH workshop, the directions to apply for certification are clearly outlined on the Teacher Certification webpage in Graduation Admissions: http://apps.albany.edu/graduate/cert.php

On this page, make sure to click on the MS degree you will receive, as the directions vary depending upon the program.

Students in ALL MS degrees associated with the Reading Department must apply for certification via TEACH.  NYSED is no longer accepting paper applications.  

If you need assistance with the TEACH program or have a question about your certification in general, please contact Heidi Audino in the Pathways Into Education Center at 442 - 3529, HAudino@uamail.albany.edu, or visit her directly in EDU B-8 (located in the basement next to the elevator). 

Attending Graduation

We strongly encourage you to attend graduation, which is held in December as well as in May (click here for current information on dates, etc). The graduate ceremony is separate from the undergraduate, and is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your accomplishment with family, friends, faculty, and fellow students. The ceremony, which typically lasts just over an hour, is followed by a reception for School of Education graduates, their families, and the faculty. It's growing in popularity, and it's our chance to officially congratulate you, and wish you well in the next phase of your career.

Here are details of upcoming ceremonies, and deadlines for attending them: