Educational Leadership at Westchester Edith Winthrop Teacher Center (EWTC)
Welcome to the Educational Leadership at Westchester Edith Winthrop Teacher Center (EWTC) program home page. Use this page as a guide to the program from acceptance to graduation.
Academic Plan
SDL-MSED
Total Credits
Earn at least 32 credits
Advisors
- Nell Panero, Program Leader
- Ron Valenti, rval@hunter.cuny.edu, Faculty Advisor and Internship Advisor
- Alissa Herbert, Certification, Graduation and Administrative Advisor
Newly Accepted Partnership Program Students
Getting Started and New Student Support
Welcome to the School of Education! Visit the Newly Accepted Partnership Program Students page for next steps. If at any point you need support, please reach out to the Office of Partnership Program Advisor at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
Program Sequences
Consult the program sequence for a suggested order of courses. Students must meet with their faculty advisor to determine their particular course of study before registering for classes.
Hunter College Catalog
To review descriptions of specific courses and academic progress standards for the program along with exit requirements please use the course catalog for the year you were admitted to the program.
Course Catalog Summer 2022 onward
Course Catalog prior to Summer 2022
Clinical Experiences
Students in the Educational Leadership at Westchester Edith Winthrop Teacher Center (EWTC) program complete 600 hours of fieldwork/internship hours across three components. Students complete all components at their current worksite or a site approved by the Education Leadership program. If placement is required, students will be placed by the Program Coordinator at a Hunter College School of Education partner site.
Component 1
All classes within the Leadership program include fieldwork experiences as a requirement of the course. 200 of the fieldwork/internship hours will be completed during your first seven classes.
Component 2
During your first three semesters, all students will conduct 200 hours of fieldwork experiences either in your place of employment or another school or district site. These are not assigned to a specific class but to the overall program. These 200 hours will then be added to the 200 hours from the internship seminar class, ADSUP 751.
Component 3
During your final semester, you will enroll in ADSUP 751. In this class you will conduct 200 hours of fieldwork under the guidance of both your class instructor as well as an internship supervisor who will visit you in the field.
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines. Visit the Graduation and Commencement page for complete information.
Certification and Licensure
Graduates of this program are eligible for New York State certification in both School Building Leader and School District Leader.
Students who are completing or have completed the program will apply for their certification through the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services. Students apply for either initial or professional certification.
Initial Certification: Requirements and Exams
The School of Education reserves the right not to recommend for certification any student who has committed a serious breach of professional ethics or behavior.
The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate and is valid for five years. Students who graduate from a Hunter master’s degree certification program without prior certification will be recommended for initial certification.
Certification candidates must wait to apply for certification until receiving an email from the School of Education indicating their recommendation has been entered. This will occur six to eight weeks after the Hunter College conferral dates of June 1 for spring grads, September 1 for summer grads and January 1 for fall grads.
Candidates seeking initial certification must fulfill the following requirements before applying:
1. Pass all required New York State Teacher Certification Exams
- Educating All Students (EAS)
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 1 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 2 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- School District Leader – Part 1
- School District Leader – Part 2
Students who have completed Educating All Students (EAS) for a prior certification, do not need to take it again.
Register for an exam at the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website.
Need help preparing? The Hunter College School of Education Center for Career, Professional & Partnership Development (CPPD) conducts test preparation workshops regularly. Learn about upcoming Test Preparation Workshops.
For information regarding exam safety nets consult the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
2. Complete NY State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
All applications for NY State certification require that students take and complete the workshop listed below. Students who have completed these workshops for a prior certification, do not need to take them again.
Upon completion of workshop, students must submit copies of exam scores and workshop certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Programs at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
School Violence Intervention and Prevention
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Workshop
Students may take the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop through Hunter College’s Continuing Education department or with another approved provider through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website. Once you complete the DASA workshop, submit copies of DASA workshop certification to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs so that their CUNYfirst account can be updated via the Workshop or Exam Completion Form.
3. Clear fingerprints with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
All students in programs leading to New York State certification need to have their fingerprints cleared by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Visit the Fingerprinting for Hunter College School of Education Students to learn how to obtain fingerprint clearance.
Initial Certification: Application Directions and Program Code
When to Apply
Certification candidates must wait to apply for certification until receiving an email from the School of Education indicating their recommendation has been entered. This will occur six to eight weeks after the Hunter College conferral dates of June 1 for spring grads, September 1 for summer grads and January 1 for fall grads. Students apply for certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account.
How to Apply for Initial Certification
The following is a step-by-step guide to apply for initial certification through the New York State Department of Education’s TEACH Account.
1. Create/Log in to your TEACH Account
Students must create/log in to their New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account. From your Teach Online Services Home page, select Apply for Certificate which is found under “Online Application”. This will start a new application.
2. Verify/Update Profile
The Verify/Update Profile section will ask for education and employment history. For educational history, provide information from bachelor’s degree to present. For employment history enter all full-time, paid teaching experiences in both public and private schools.
Hunter College is an approved New York Teacher Certification Program. When prompted provide the following information:
- Award Title: Master of Science in Education
- Program Code: 28954 – EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- Major: Education
- Enter all full-time, paid teaching experience (in both public and private schools).
3. Select Certificate(s)
Enter the following information for the certificates section.
School Building Leader
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Administration and Supervision
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title:School Building Leader
- Select your Certificate Type: Initial
On the next page, enter the Program Code 28954.
4. Sign Affidavit
5. Confirm and Sign Application
6. Make Payment
We recommend paying by credit card for ease of tracking.
7. Review Application Transaction Summary
This will help you keep track of what you need to do in order to obtain your certificate.
Professional Certification: Requirements and Exams
The School of Education reserves the right not to recommend for certification any student who has committed a serious breach of professional ethics or behavior.
The Professional Certificate is an advanced certificate. Individuals must have three years of full-time, valid experience in classroom teaching or pupil personnel service. For the SBL Professional certificate, individuals must have three years full-time experience in an educational leadership position, which must include at least one year as a school building leader.
Candidates seeking professional certification must fulfill the following requirements before applying:
1. Pass all required New York State Teacher Certification Exams
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 1 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 2 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- School District Leader – Part 1
- School District Leader – Part 2
Candidates with prior certification do not have to retake these exams if already taken.
Register for an exam at the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website.
Need help preparing? The Hunter College School of Education Center for Career, Professional & Partnership Development (CPPD) conducts test preparation workshops regularly. Learn about upcoming Test Preparation Workshops.
For information regarding exam safety nets consult the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
2. Complete NY State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
All applications for NY State certification require that students take and complete the workshop listed below. Students who have completed these workshops for a prior certification, do not need to take them again.
Upon completion of the workshop, students must submit copies of exam scores and workshop certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Programs at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
Submit Workshop Completion Form
School Violence Intervention and Prevention
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Workshop
Students may take this workshop through Hunter College’s Continuing Education department or with another approved provider through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website.
3. Clear fingerprints with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
All students in programs leading to New York State certification need to have their fingerprints cleared by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Visit the Fingerprinting for Hunter College School of Education Students to learn how to obtain fingerprint clearance.
4. Submit proof of 60 credits of graduate level coursework.
NYSED requires all candidates for the SDL to have 60 credits of graduate level coursework. You must request and submit transcripts from your graduate institution(s) to NYSED in order to have this requirement met.
Professional Certification: Application Directions and Program Code
When to Apply
Students must fulfill all exam, workshop, and security clearance requirements before applying for professional certification. Once teachers have completed three years of full-time, paid teaching experience including one year of mentored teaching, they can apply for professional certification. Students apply for certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account.
How to Apply for Professional Certification
The following is a step-by-step guide to apply for professional certification through the New York State Department of Education’s TEACH Account.
1. Create/Log in to your TEACH Account
Students must create/log in to their New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account. From your Teach Online Services Home page, select Apply for Certificate which is found under “Online Application”. This will start a new application.
2. Verify/Update Profile
The Verify/Update Profile section will ask for education and employment history. For educational history, provide information from bachelor’s degree to present. For employment history enter all full-time, paid teaching experiences in both public and private schools.
Hunter College is an approved New York Teacher Certification Program. When prompted provide the following information:
- Award Title: Master of Science in Education
- Program Code: 28954 – EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- Major: Education
- Enter all full-time, paid teaching experience (in both public and private schools).
3. Select Certificate(s)
Enter the following information for the certificates section.
School Building Leader
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Administration and Supervision
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title:School Building Leader
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
School District Leader
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Administration and Supervision
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: School District Leader
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
On the next page, enter the Program Code 28954.
4. Sign Affidavit
5. Confirm and Sign Application
6. Make Payment
We recommend paying by credit card for ease of tracking.
7. Review Application Transaction Summary
This section helps students keep track of what they need to do in order to obtain their certificate.
Submitting Workshop Completion
Upon completion of required workshops, students must submit their workshop certification(s) to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs so that their CUNYfirst account can be updated.
Checking Certificate Status in TEACH Account
There are two certificate statuses in the TEACH account: “not ready to review” and “ready to review.” Prior to graduation a student’s application is marked “not ready to review.” Once a student has met all the requirements, has institutional recommendation, and their graduation has posted, the status will change to “ready to review.” The New York State Department of Education will then review the application.
Out of State Certification or Licensure
Students applying for certification or licensure in states other than New York must complete the Out of State Certification and Licensure Form.
Hunter International Students (F1 Visa Holder) Certification or Licensure
Registering for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE)
During the registration process enter all 9s when prompted for your Social Security Number (SSN). Once you do receive a Social Security Number, you will need to fax a copy of your Social Security Number card and Passport to the New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) with a cover letter including your assigned New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) ID number to request they change your temporary Social Security Number replacement with your assigned Social Security Number.
The fax number for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) is 413-256-7088. Follow up a few days later to ensure they have received your fax. The phone number for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) is 413-256-2882.
Applying for NYSED TEACH Account without a Social Security Number
You do not need to wait for a Social Security Number (SSN) to create an account on the NYSED TEACH system. If you do not have a valid Social Security Number, you will need to email soeoasa@hunter.cuny.edu to request a TEACH Access Number first. The access number is only for use with TEACH and meeting requirements for New York State teacher certification. If you do get a social security number, you must notify NYSED.
If you apply for OPT the process will generate a Social Security Number which you will use to create your TEACH account and apply for New York State Department of Education teaching certification. You should apply for OPT as soon as you can, but you cannot apply earlier than 90 days before your program completion date.
For general instructions on setting up your NYSED TEACH account, please refer to the Certification and Licensure section on this program page.
New York City Department of Education Employment with OPT once your NYS Certificate has issued
International students cannot apply for employment with New York City Public Schools until they have a Social Security Number (SSN). International students may qualify for employment in New York City public schools once they hold New York State certification and hold an OPT visa. You will be ineligible to apply to work for the New York City Department of Education unless you hold OPT authorization, have a Social Security Number and your New York State certification has issued. Candidates fitting the above criteria may apply online to the New York City Department of Education. Once the application is received and reviewed, further instructions will follow. This policy is subject to change at any time.
Expiring Certificates
Students currently certified in initial or transitional B certificate who will not graduate in time to meet the master’s requirement for their expiring certificate, may be eligible for an extension through the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services. Create/log in to your TEACH account and select “Apply for a Time Extension.”