How To Become a Teacher Online in New York

Whether you want to teach amid the bright lights of New York City or somewhere else in the state, to become a teacher, you must have at least a bachelor's degree. Some colleges and universities offer these online.

Additionally, you must pass a background check and exams. Keep reading to learn more about becoming a teacher online in New York.

Steps for Becoming a Teacher Online in New York

To become a teacher in New York, you must earn a bachelor's degree through an approved teacher preparation program. If you're struggling to find these online in New York, you can still earn your degree online through an out-of-state institution.

The state also requires teachers to pass a background check and pass teaching exams. Below, we dive into the steps to meet teacher certification requirements in New York.

1. Determine Your Area of Focus

Before you can start earning a bachelor's degree, you need to determine what your area of focus is going to be. This focus will determine your degree program, which exams you take, and what you're certified for.

Teacher certification in New York is broken into the following grade levels:

• early childhood education (birth through grade 2)
• childhood education (grades 1-6)
• middle childhood education (grades 5-9)
• secondary education/adolescent (grades 7-12)

In New York State, to teach students with disabilities, you'll also need to choose a grade level. These certifications are available for the grade levels above, but a general PreK-12 certificate is also available.

Additionally, you may opt to choose a subject area. Early childhood and elementary school teachers don't always need a subject area, but some choose to teach subjects like art, music, or physical education. Middle school and high school teachers usually need to choose a subject area, like English or science.

2. Gain an Undergraduate Degree Online

Now that you know your focus area, you can start pursuing online bachelor's degrees in education. Look for those that double as teacher preparation programs; the program pages will often tell you if the program leads to licensure or not.

It can be hard to find colleges or universities in New York State that offer online teaching degrees that lead to teaching licensure. However, the state has reciprocity agreements with other states, allowing you to earn your license in New York so long as the teacher preparation program is approved by the other state.

3. Complete a State-Approved Teacher Preparation Program

Teacher preparation programs help you meet all certification requirements. Most teacher preparation programs also double as bachelor's degree programs.

Choose a teacher preparation program that has been approved either by the State of New York or another state. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) website has a full list of approved teacher preparation programs in the state.

All teachers must complete the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) training workshop for educator certification in New York State. If you complete a teacher preparation program in New York, this workshop is included; however, if you complete your program in another state, you will need to schedule a workshop before applying for certification.

Achieve Required Teaching Hours

As part of the teacher education program, you'll complete student teaching hours. During this time, you'll prepare lessons and teach a classroom under the guidance of an experienced, certified teacher.

Even if you earn your teaching degree online, you'll still need to do your student teaching in person. Many online programs allow you to do your student teaching in a school district of your choice.

Note that many teacher preparation programs run background checks on students before the student can participate in student teaching.

4. Pass the Required Teacher Certification Exams

New York State is one of a handful of states that uses its own teaching exams. All students must take the Educating All Students (EAS) exam, which assesses a candidate's knowledge, skills, and ability as it relates to teaching.

You'll also need to take the Content Specialty Test (CST) that relates to your area of focus. For example, if you want to be a high school physics teacher, you'll need to take the Physics 7-12 CST.

5. Pass a Background Check

According to state law, all candidates applying for teaching certification in New York must be cleared by the New York State Education Department through a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check.

This includes information pulled from the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services and the FBI. Background checks are designed to keep children and educators safe.

Fingerprinting

NYSED uses a fingerprint management system operated by MorphoTrust/IDEMIA. Fingerprint applicants must contact MorphoTrust/IDEMIA to get information about filing a fingerprint application, paying the fee, and getting fingerprinted.

6. Get Your Initial Teaching Certificate Online

Once you've met all the education requirements and additional requirements for licensure, you can pursue your Initial Certification. Apply for certification online through the NYSED website.

You can log in at any time to see the status of your application. The Initial Teaching Certification is good for five years, after which you'll need to renew or move up to a professional Teaching Certificate.

7. Acquire a Professional Teaching Certificate

After you accumulate three years of teaching experience, you may be eligible to proceed to a Professional Teaching Certificate. This is an advanced certificate that also requires the completion of a mentored experience.

This refers to the guidance and professional support that experienced, certified teachers/school building leaders provide to new teachers/school building leaders in their first year of teaching/building leadership in a public school.

Once you've completed these requirements, you'll likely be eligible for a Professional Certificate. However, some teachers who took alternative pathways to teacher education may need to complete a graduate program.

All certified teachers must complete professional development hours to maintain certification. You can learn more through NYSED's Office of Teaching Initiatives.

Online Bachelor's in Education Degree Programs in New York

Currently, there aren't any online bachelor's degree programs in New York that lead to New York State certification. However, other education programs can help you on your path to a teaching career.

Mercy University � Combined BS & MS in Behavioral Science & Childhood Education

Mercy University is a private research university with its main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York. It offers a dual Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree program in behavioral science and childhood education online.

While this program does lead to licensure in early childhood or childhood education, you must complete both degrees, which usually take five years of full-time study. Students complete a semester-long student teaching experience partway through the program.

Marist College � Bachelor's in Professional Studies

Marist College is a private university in Poughkeepsie, New York. It offers an online professional studies major that allows you to tailor coursework toward your career goals.

This program does not lead to a teaching license. However, by earning a graduate degree through an approved teacher education program, you can still earn your teaching license.

Adelphi University � BA in Liberal Studies

Adelphi University is a private university in Garden City, New York. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies online with four concentrations: social science, psychology, business, and emergency management.

Again, this degree will not lead to New York State teacher certification but a concentration in social science or psychology can lay a strong foundation for a master's program in teaching or education.

How Hard Is It To Get a Teaching Certificate in New York?

While there are several steps to go through to become a teacher in New York State, these steps are not unduly difficult. You must earn a bachelor's degree, complete teacher preparation, and pass a background check and the necessary exams.

The state's Department of Education offers a few alternative pathways. For example, those with a master's degree in the subject area they want to teach may earn their certification through an alternative program. You can learn more about alternative certification programs through the NYSED website.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Teacher in New York?

If you take the traditional pathway to become a teacher in New York, it will take a little over four years. so, that's four years to earn your bachelor's degree, plus the time it takes you to pass your exams and obtain your license.