Up front, you need to know that the New York State Education Department has sole jurisdiction over teacher and specialist certification. The Reading Department is authorized by the State Education Department to offer registered programs that lead to various certifications. So if you have a question about certification, your final stop should be the State Education Department.

    But before you go to State Ed, try contacting the staff in Pathways into Education (PIE) right here in the School of Education. Among their many services, they:

• provide current UAlbany graduate students with information about teacher certification, NYS Teacher Certification Exams, and assists students in applying for teacher certification through TEACH, the new online certification application process recently launched by the New York State Education Department.

• prepare students and recent graduates for the job-hunting process, such as the Hudson Mohawk Education Expo Job Fair, Resume Writing Workshops, and Job Interviewing Tips & Information Nights.

• post education-related job listings.

To contact PIE, click here.

Clearing up questions about what certifications our programs lead to

Our MS Reading: Classroom Track programs (MS Reading: Classroom Track On Campus, and MS Reading: Classroom Track Online) lead ONLY to permanent certification in the area of your provisional, and they only do that if you complete the master's degree while your provisional is still valid. These programs do NOT lead to specialist certification of any kind nor do they apply for the newer professional certification. To obtain your permanent certification, you apply directly to State Ed after you've completed your MS degree. You need to make sure you complete all NYSED requirements (CST exam in area of provisional, teaching experience, etc). 

Our MS in Literacy degree leads to Initial Literacy Certification in the grade range you selected (e.g., Literacy Specialist B-6, 5-12, B-12), which, after three years of successful teaching, and fulfilling all other requirements (e.g., mentoring), lead to Professional Certification. Applicants must successfully pass the Literacy Content Specialty Exam (see http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/ for preparation guide and registration information) for intiial certification in this area. The University processes your application for initial and professional certification at the time of graduation.

However, if you successfully complete an MS in Literacy, and have a valid provisional certificate, you may also apply for (directly to State Ed, not UAlbany) permanent certification in the area of your provisional. In this way, you obtain both the initial certification in the area of the registered program (e.g., Lit Specialist B-6) but also permanent certification in the area of your provisional (e.g., PreK-6). You need to make sure you complete all NYSED requirements (CST exam in area of provisional, ATS-P, teaching experience, etc).

The MS in Early Childhood/Childhood (Literacy) degree provides you with the MS degree and Institutional Recommendation needed for professional certification in the area of Early Childhood or Childhood.  You must be the other NYSED requirements prior to receiving your professional certificate (e.g., teaching experience, mentoring).   There is no additional CST for this degree.  Please note:  This degree does NOT lead to certification in Literacy, though it does include a focus on literacy courses.

If you have questions about certification as it applies to your personal situation:

You might not know that most BOCES have certification specialists, who--as you can imagine--specialize in certification issues. They are very well versed in the regulations, application procedures, sorting out prerequisites, dealing with complications, and so on. You can call Joy Moch, certification specialist at the Albany BOCES (862-4915); or, if you live in Saratoga County and north, contact Karol Masher at 746-3370, or email him at kmasher@mum.neric.org

If you are concerned that you haven't heard yet about a certification application:

State Ed has, we understand, quite a backlog of applications for certification, so if your application hasn't been processed, that might be the reason. The appropriate word (of advice) is patience... However, here are some contacts: if you have already filed an application, direct your questions to the Albany Office for Teaching (474-3901, except Wed). No one else can help you. If you have general questions, you can call Joy Moch, or Karol Masher (see contact information above).

If you have a question about what certifications are related to which programs:

Call State Ed at this number: 474-2593

If you have a question about how to obtain NYS certification when you're already certified in another state:

Visit this website: click here

If you have a question about applying for certification through UAlbany:

Current Students   Prospective Students