How To Become a Teacher in New York 2025

<p>Working as a teacher can be an extremely rewarding profession. However, with different degree options and types of certification, it can be tricky to figure out exactly what steps to take to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_to_become_a_teacher.html">become a teacher</a>. </p> <p>Teaching requirements vary between states, but luckily, the requirements to become a teacher in New York are pretty straightforward. You'll need to earn at least a bachelor's degree, pass the relevant exams, and keep your licensure current. Keep reading to learn more about how to become a teacher in New York. </p> <h2 id="section---StepsToBecomeATeacherInNewYork">Steps To Become a Teacher in New York</h2> <p>New York State offers several pathways to becoming a teacher. The pathway you choose will depend on your educational background. Below, we'll break down the most common and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_program_to_become_a_teacher.html">quickest way to become a teacher</a> for those who do not yet have a college degree. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1DecideWhatSubjectAndGradeLevelYouWantToTeach">Step 1: Decide What Subject and Grade Level You Want To Teach</h3> <p>In general, teachers in New York need to have completed a teacher education program (also referred to as a teacher preparation program). However, many teacher preparation programs focus on one grade level or subject. Before you can choose your program, you need to decide what type of teacher you want to become. </p> <p>Note that some specialist subjects (e.g., music, art, library media, and physical education, or PE) are often for all grade levels. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAnElementarySchoolTeacher">Becoming an Elementary School Teacher</h4> <p>Elementary school teachers usually teach grades kindergarten to fifth or sixth grade. Elementary students usually stay in one classroom, where their teacher teaches all subjects. The exception is specialist subjects, like art or music. </p> <p>In New York State, students who want to be generalist teachers have the option of choosing from an early childhood education certificate, which covers education for children from birth through second grade, or the childhood education certificate, which covers children from first to sixth grade. </p> <p>Specialized options for elementary teachers include literacy and special education, in addition to all-grade specialist certificates. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAMiddleSchoolTeacher">Becoming a Middle School Teacher</h4> <p>Middle school grades generally mean sixth through eighth grade, but this can vary slightly depending on the school. In New York, those who want to be middle school teachers can earn certification for grades five through nine. </p> <p>Some middle schools are set up more like elementary schools, with generalist teachers and a few specialist teachers. Others are set up more like high schools, where each educator teaches a specific subject. </p> <p>Because this can vary, New York offers certification for generalist five through nine teachers, as well as individual subjects for grades five through nine. Some individual subjects are limited to grades seven through nine. <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Requirements_to_be_a_Middle_School_Teacher.html">Middle school teacher educational requirements</a> include a bachelor's degree in teaching these grades. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAHighSchoolTeacher">Becoming a High School Teacher</h4> <p>Certification to teach high school students in New York spans from grades seven through 12. There aren't any generalist degrees for this grade level; secondary education certification is in a specific subject. </p> <p>There are multiple subjects with teacher certification options, including business, various sciences, world languages, English, and more. <a href="https://learn.org/articles/High_School_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_High_School_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">High school teacher educational requirements</a> include a teaching degree in the subject you want to teach. </p> <p>Note that in New York, alternative pathways are available for students who have a degree in the subject they want to teach but have not completed a teacher education program. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2ChooseYourMajor">Step 2: Choose Your Major</h3> <p>Once you choose the subject you want to teach, you'll need to choose a major for your education degree. Your options for a major will vary between schools. </p> <p>For example, the University at Albany offers degrees in early childhood/childhood education, childhood and special education, and adolescent education. Within these programs, students choose concentration courses in the subject matter they hope to teach, like biology, English, or math. </p> <p>At New York University, students can choose a degree in early childhood education or childhood education. For those wanting to teach grades seven through 12, degrees are available in specific subject areas. For example, science education, social studies education, and world language education. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3EarnYourBachelorSDegree">Step 3: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree</h3> <p>All teachers in New York need to have at least a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees usually take four years of full-time study to complete. </p> <p>You'll spend the first two or so years on general education courses, then the last two focused on your teaching coursework. The specific coursework you take will depend on your major, but you'll likely take courses on the foundations of education, educational psychology, and instructional methods. </p> <p>You'll also participate in student teaching experiences. During student teaching, aspiring teachers have the opportunity to work in the classroom under the guidance of a licensed, experienced teacher. This is an important part of your teacher preparation program and is required for a teaching license in most cases. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4ConsiderAMasterSDegree">Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree</h3> <p>A master's degree is not a requirement to teach in New York State. However, earning a graduate degree in education has a few benefits. </p> <p>With a graduate degree, you'll meet the certification requirements for the professional certificate for teachers, an advanced teaching certificate. This allows you to pursue higher-paying teaching positions. </p> <p>You do not have to earn your master's degree right away. Many students choose to start teaching with a bachelor's degree then pursue a master's degree after a few years of teaching experience. </p> <p>Note that an alternative certification program is available for those with master's degrees in a specific subject who want to teach that subject. To earn this certification, you'll need two years of teaching experience at the college level and to pass the necessary certification exams. </p> <h3 id="section---Step5PassNewYorkTeachingExamsAndGainLicensure">Step 5: Pass New York Teaching Exams and Gain Licensure</h3> <p>Once you've completed your teacher education program, you'll be eligible to take the certification exams offered by the New York State Education Department. The first is the Educating All Students (EAS) test, which all students must take. </p> <p>The additional specific exams you'll need to take depend on the certification you're pursuing. The New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) program offers a variety of subject tests. </p> <p>The next step in the certification process is to take the Dignity for All Students Act workshop, a six-clock-hour class that addresses harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention in schools. </p> <p>Finally, the New York Department of Education requires all new teachers to undergo a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check. Once you pass that, you'll be eligible for your initial certificate. To maintain certification, you'll need to complete professional development hours. </p> <h3 id="section---Step6ApplyForTeachingJobs">Step 6: Apply for Teaching Jobs</h3> <p>Congratulations! You're a certified teacher. Now it's time to look for a job. The good news is that New York is an excellent state to find a job as a teacher. <a href="https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/25-2021.00?st=NY">O*Net</a> predicts that job demand for teachers will increase by 18% in New York by 2032. </p> <p>New York also pays its teachers the highest. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teachers in New York State have an average median salary of between $91,000 and $97,000 per year. </p> <h2 id="section---HowToChooseTheRightTeachingDegreeProgram">How To Choose the Right Teaching Degree Program</h2> <p>There are several key factors to consider when trying to choose a teaching program. These include: </p> <ul><li>The subject you want to teach: Not all schools offer degrees in teaching every subject or grade level. </li><li>State approval: Make sure your program is a New York State Education Department-approved teacher education program. </li><li>Format: Some programs offer coursework online, although student teaching must still be done in person. </li><li>Tuition and financial aid: Costs can vary from school to school. If you're a resident of New York State, you may qualify for free tuition through the state's Excelsior Scholarship. </li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutBecomingATeacherInNewYork">FAQs About Becoming a Teacher in New York</h2> <p>Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about becoming a teacher in New York. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatQualificationsDoYouNeedToBecomeATeacherInNewYork">What Qualifications Do You Need To Become a Teacher in New York?</h3> <p>To become a teacher in New York, you'll need a teaching license. While there are a few different pathways to earn this license, most require a bachelor's degree, and all require passing the state's teacher certification exams and a background check. </p> <p>Qualifications vary by position. For example, to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Kindergarten_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_Kindergarten_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">become a kindergarten teacher</a>, you'll need a license in early childhood education, while to become a secondary teacher, you'll need a license in the subject you teach. </p> <h3 id="section---DoRequirementsDifferAtPrivateSchoolsAndPublicSchools">Do Requirements Differ at Private Schools and Public Schools?</h3> <p>While some states do not require private school teachers to hold a teaching license, New York is not one of them. Private school teachers in New York must have a teaching license. </p> <p>However, private schools do have the right to be stricter on their hiring requirements. That is, while a bachelor's degree is sufficient to become a teacher at a public school in New York, a private school may require its teachers to have a master's degree. </p> <h3 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToBecomeATeacherInNewYork">How Long Does It Take To Become a Teacher in New York?</h3> <p>The length of time it takes to become a teacher in New York depends on what pathway you're taking and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you're starting without a degree, you can expect it to take you four years to earn your bachelor's, plus however long it takes you to pass your certification exams and background check. </p> <h3 id="section---CanIGetATeachingJobWithoutATeachingDegree">Can I Get a Teaching Job Without a Teaching Degree?</h3> <p>New York State offers a few pathways to certification that do not specifically require a teaching degree. These include: </p> <ul><li>The Individual Evaluation Pathway, in which students do not earn a teaching degree but hold a bachelor's degree that satisfies specific course and pedagogy requirements </li><li>The Alternative Certification 'Transitional B' Program Pathway, in which students with a bachelor's degree in the subject they plan to teach enroll in and complete an Alternative Teacher Certification (ATC) program </li><li>The Professor Experience Pathway, for those with a master's degree or higher in the subject they plan to teach and at least two years of teaching experience at the college level </li></ul><p>Note that all pathways still require passing the appropriate teaching exams and a background check. </p> <h3 id="section---HowDoIBecomeASubstituteTeacherInNewYork">How Do I Become a Substitute Teacher in New York?</h3> <p>To become a substitute teacher in New York, you'll need a bachelor's degree, although no specific major is required. You'll also need to be nominated for the role by the principal of the school you want to work at. </p> <h3 id="section---HowDoIApplyToATeachingProgram">How Do I Apply To a Teaching Program?</h3> <p>The application process for teaching programs varies by school. Some schools only require you to apply to the school, while others require you to first be accepted and then allow you to apply to one of their teaching programs. You can usually find more information about admissions requirements on the college or university website. </p> <h2 id="section---StartYourTeachingCareerToday">Start Your Teaching Career Today</h2> <p>Start your journey toward becoming a teacher by exploring the teaching programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.</p>