NYC Teaching Fellows – Childhood Special Education D75 (MSEd)
Welcome to the NYC Teaching Fellows – Childhood Special Education D75 (MSEd) program home page. Use this page as a guide to the program from acceptance to graduation.
The New York City Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) is an alternative teacher preparation program leading to New York State teacher certification. The NYCTF program is a collaboration among the New York City Department of Education, CUNY, and certain private universities in New York City. Students teach full time in high needs New York City public schools while studying at partner universities and participating in continuous supervision and professional development. Tuition costs are subsidized at approximately 50% by the NYCDOE and students are not responsible for any tuition payments until their second year in the program. Upon successful completion of the two-year program, students earn a master’s degree and are eligible for New York State initial teacher certification.
Academic Plan
CSEAC-MSED
Total Credits
42
Advisor
- Elizabeth Klein, Faculty Advisor
- Flavia Tomori, Assistant Director
- 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 Sequence
The program advisor will notify students of their cohort’s particular course of study before registering for classes. Program sequence is subject to change. To view course descriptions, progress standards and exit requirements visit the catalog.
Program Sequence
This course list applies to Cohort 33. Previous cohorts should contact their program coordinator for more details.
- SPED 70050 – Social, Historical, and Philosophical Foundations of General and Special Education (3 credits)
- CEDF 70900 – Child Development Grades 1-6 (3 credits)
- SPED 70600 – Strategies and Curriculum Adaptations for Learners with Severe/Multiple Disabilities (3 credits)
- SPED 78651 – Practicum, Year 1 – Part 1 (1.5 credits)
- SPEDE 77200 – Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Its Application to Young Children with Special Needs (3 credits)
- SPED 72400 – Writing for Students With Learning Disabilities, Methods 3 (2 credits)
- SPED 78652 – Practicum, Year 1 – Part 2 (1.5 credits)
- SPED 75100 – Methods and Materials for Teaching Students with Behavior Disorders (3 credits)
- CEDC 70450 – Teaching Developmental Reading (3 credits)
- CEDC 70550 – Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3 credits)
- CEDC 72250 – Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction: Integrating Literature, the Arts, and Technology (2 credits)
- SPED 70100 – Assessment of Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
- SPED 752.55 – Practicum, Year 2 – Part 1 (1.5 credits)
- SPED 70450 – Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (3 credits)
- SPED 72300 – Math for Students with Learning Disabilities (2 credits)
- SPED 752.56 – Practicum, Year 2 – Part 2 (1.5 credits)
- CEDC 70350 – Teaching Science in the Elementary School (3 credits)
Clinical Experiences
First Summer – Pre-Service Fieldwork
As required by New York State law governing alternative certification programs, you will participate in pre-service fieldwork during your first summer. You will be placed in a NYCTF Training Academy hosted by an NYC summer school. Pre-Service Training (PST) is managed by the NYCTF office.
First and Second Year
As a participant in the Teaching Fellows program, you are required to be hired by a high-need NYC public school as a full-time teacher in your certification area. Once you begin teaching, all fieldwork requirements can be completed in your capacity as a full-time teacher. You are not required to complete additional fieldwork beyond your full-time teaching position.
Practicum
Participants in the NYC Teaching Fellows Childhood Special Education D75 program engage in a four semester practicum experience. The practicum seminar and accompanying fieldwork is designed to support professional growth for new teachers entering the field in NYCDOE District 75 sites. Each semester, teacher candidates enroll in a practicum seminar course and are observed in the field by a fieldwork supervisor.
The first and second semesters focus on supporting teacher candidates in the areas of instruction, assessment, and setting up a positive and inclusive classroom culture for diverse learners in D75 settings. The third semester focuses on continuing to develop instructional practice and professional growth, including preparation for edTPA. The fourth semester supports the refinement of reflective teaching practices and instructional growth, and will also include support as teacher candidates submit edTPA. The practicum course is a Key Performance Course, and teacher candidates must maintain a B or higher in all practicum courses.
Certification and Licensure
The New York City Teaching Fellows program is a New York State certification program for Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education (MSED). You will apply for your certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Online Services.
You will apply for a Transitional B at the beginning of the program and will apply for Initial Certification upon graduation. Once you have completed three years of full-time paid teaching experience you can apply for your Professional Certification.
Please note, the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) will no longer be a certification requirement as of April 27, 2022. Visit the Certification and Licensure page for more information regarding this change.
Types of Certification
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.
Transitional B Certificate
A Transitional B certificate is a provisional certificate that you must hold while enrolled in an alternative certification program such as the NYC Teaching Fellows. It is valid for three years or the amount of time it takes you to graduate from Hunter College, whichever is shorter.
Students apply and pay for their Transitional B certificate at the beginning of the program.
Initial Certification
The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate. When you graduate from the New York City Teaching Fellows program you will be recommended for both initial and professional certification. You must apply for the initial certificate when you are preparing to graduate from Hunter College in order for the state to issue your initial certification. Once issued, your initial certificate is valid for five years.
Professional Certification
The Professional Certificate is an advanced certification. Once you have completed three years of full-time, paid teaching experience (including one year of mentored teaching), you can apply for professional certification. Your professional certification will be continuously valid with completion and documentation of required professional development hours within a five-year professional development cycle as determined by New York State.
Certification and Exam Requirements
Transitional B Requirements
You must fulfill the following certificate and exam requirements to be eligible for the Transitional B certificate.
1. Pass all required New York State Teacher Certification Exams
- Educating All Students (EAS)
- Content Specialty Test (CST): Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grades 1-6) Please note there are three parts of this test (test codes 221, 222, and 245). You may register to take one part at a time or all three parts together, but you must pass all three parts before you are eligible for your Transitional B.
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 Partnership Programs
All applications for NY State certification require that students take and complete the workshops listed below. Students who have completed these workshops for a prior certification, do not need to take them again.
School Violence Intervention and Prevention
Students may take this workshop with any NYSED approved provider
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
Students may take this workshop with any NYSED approved provider
Autism Workshop
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. Submit Exam Scores and Workshop Certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Program
Students must submit copies of exam scores and workshop certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Programs at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
4. 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.
5. Apply and pay for your Transitional B certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account.
Initial Certification Requirements
As you prepare to complete your program, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Initial Certification:
- Content Specialty Test (CST): Students with Disabilities (test code 060)
- Apply and pay for Initial Certificate through your TEACH account.
- Graduate
Professional Certification Requirements
Once you have completed three years of full-time, paid teaching experience (including one year of mentored teaching), you can apply for professional certification.
Submitting Exam Scores and Workshop Completion
Students must submit copies of exam scores and workshop certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Programs at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
Applying for Certification through TEACH Account and Program Code
How to Apply for Certification
The following is a step-by-step guide to apply for Transitional B, Initial and 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
Verify/Update Profile will ask for your Education and Employment information. Enter all the information from a baccalaureate to present. Hunter College is an Approved New York Teacher Certification Program.
- Award Title: Master of Science in Education
- Program Code: 25648 – A C: CHDHD SP ED: LRN DIS&BEHV DIS – TRANS B
- 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.
Trans B
- Select your Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher
- Select your Subject Area: Childhood Education
- Select the Grade Level: Childhood – Grades 1-6
- Select the Title: Students with Disabilities – (Grades 1-6)
- Select your Certificate Type: Transitional B
Initial Certificate
Upon graduation, when you apply for Initial Certification complete this section as follows:
- Select your Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher
- Select your Subject Area: Childhood Education
- Select the Grade Level: Childhood – Grades 1-6
- Select the Title: Students with Disabilities – (Grades 1-6)
- Select your Certificate Type: Initial
You must also add an application for Initial Certification in General Childhood Education as follows:
- Select your Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher
- Select your Subject Area: Childhood Education
- Select the Grade Level: Childhood – Grades 1-6
- Select the Title: Childhood Education Grades 1-6
- Select your Certificate Type: Initial
Professional Certificate
After three years of full-time paid teaching when you apply for your Professional Certification complete this section as follows:
- Select your Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher
- Select your Subject Area: Childhood Education
- Select the Grade Level: Childhood – Grades 1-6
- Select the Title: Students with Disabilities – (Grades 1-6)
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
You must also add an application for Professional Certification in General Childhood Education as follows:
- Select your Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher
- Select your Subject Area: Childhood Education
- Select the Grade Level: Childhood – Grades 1-6
- Select the Title: Childhood Education Grades 1-6
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
On the next page enter code 25648.
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.
Checking Certificate Status in TEACH Account
Transitional B Certificate
We will submit your institutional recommendation after you have completed all Transitional B certification requirements. New York State will then review your application and if you have met all requirements issue your Transitional B certificate. Please note that New York State does not issue paper copies of Transitional B certificates. You must check your TEACH account for your certification status.
Initial Certificate
If you have applied for a certificate but have not yet graduated, the status of your certificate application will be “Not Ready for Review”. Once your graduation is posted, have met all the requirements and have institutional recommendation, your status will change to “Ready for Review” and NYSED will then review your application.
Expiring Transitional B Certifications
If you have a valid transitional B certificate but will not graduate in time to meet the master’s requirement before your Transitional B certificate expires, you may be eligible for an extension through NYSED’s TEACH Online Services. Create/Log in to your TEACH account and select “Apply for a Time Extension.”
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.
Certification Support
If you have questions regarding certification, contact Alissa Herbert for support.
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.