About Undergraduate MHSE

MHSE Undergraduate Teacher Certification Requirements

The Department of Middle and High School Education prepares teacher candidates to meet requirements for New York State initial certification 1 to teach the following academic subjects in middle and high school: English, mathematics, science (biology and general science, chemistry and general science, physics and general science, earth science and general science), and social studies. It also prepares students to meet requirements to teach the following special subjects: art (K-12), music (K-12), and recreation education.*

Advisement: students should seek advisement before enrolling in an education sequence. Information about prerequisites, and the requirements for New York State certifications 2 for teachers of academic or special subjects, may be obtained in the Department office. Students seeking New York City public school licenses will be advised on the requirements for the appropriate New York State teaching certificate currently accepted as partial City credentialing. Candidates for certification are expected to demonstrate specified knowledge, skills, and performance competencies through class sessions on campus and through a variety of field-based activities in schools and other education agencies. Students interested in dual certification should consult the chair of the department.

The sequence described in this section meets the requirements for New York State certification. Students seeking a licence to teach in New York City public schools may need to meet other requirements and should contact the New York City Public Schools Office of Recruitment for specific information (718-935-2670).

New York State also requires applicants for provisional teacher certification to achieve a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Educating All Students (EAS) exam, the edTPA, and the Content Specialty Test in the discipline. Candidates are also required to earn a certificate in Child Abuse detection and prevention, School Violence, and Bullying workshops. For updated certification requirements, contact the divisional certification adviser (Carman Hall, Room B-33).

*Please note that the health and foreign language programs are no longer open to new candidates.

Teacher Education Programs in Middle and High School Education

Students cannot major in education. Students major in the appropriate academic or special subject, complete the 12-credit minor shown below, and, if they wish to become certified as a teacher, continue on to complete one of the teacher certification sequences outlined below. Students should consult with the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Middle and High School Education to be placed in the appropriate sequence. Students may complete the minor without continuing in the teacher certification sequence.