Intensive Teacher Institute – Bilingual Special Education (ITI-BSE) – Bilingual Extension Program
Welcome to the Intensive Teacher Institute – Bilingual Special Education (ITI-BSE) – Bilingual Extension Program home page. Use this page as a guide to the program from acceptance to graduation. This program is for current New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) Special Education Teachers.
The Intensive Teacher Institute – Bilingual Special Education (ITI-BSE) is offered in partnership with with New York City Department of Education and offers currently certified New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) special education teachers the opportunity to gain a bilingual extension for your current New York State certification. You will teach bilingual classes at your school while completing coursework at Hunter College. Tuition costs are fully subsidized by the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE). Upon successful completion of the three-semester program, you are eligible for a New York State bilingual extension certification. Currently, Hunter College offers this program in Spanish, Chinese and French.
Academic Plan
BEITI-AC
Total Credits
12
Advisor
Contact the Office of Partnership Programs Advisor at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
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
Meet with your program advisor to determine your particular course of study before registering for classes. Program sequence is subject to change.
Program Sequence
Semester 1
- BILED 701 – Foundations of Bilingual Education (3 credits)
- BILED 771 – Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching (2 credits)
Semester 2
- BILED 779 – Multicultural Education (2 credits)
Chose one of the following based on your concentration:
- BILED 711 – Bilingual Literacy – Spanish (2 credits)
- BILED 712 – Bilingual Literacy – French (2 credits)
- BILED 713 – Bilingual Literacy – Chinese (2 credits)
Semester 3
Chose one of the following based on your concentration:
- BILED 778 – Instruction Through the Native Language – Spanish (3 credits)
- BILED 768 – Instruction Through the Native Language – French (3 credits)
- BILED 769 – Instruction Through the Native Language – Chinese (3 credits)
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
Clinical Experiences
As a participant in the program you are required to be hired as a full-time teacher in a participating bilingual expansion school in a bilingual position. All clinical experiences requirements can be completed in your capacity as a full-time bilingual teacher. You are not required to complete additional clinical experiences beyond your full-time teaching position.
Certification and Licensure
As a participant in the Intensive Teacher Institute – Bilingual Special Education (ITI-BSE) – Bilingual Extension Program, you will complete a New York State certification program for Bilingual Education Extension: NYS Teachers (Advanced Certificate) and will apply for your certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED). You will apply for either initial and professional certification.
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.
Initial Certification
When you graduate from the Intensive Teacher Institute – Bilingual Special Education (ITI-BSE) – Bilingual Extension Program if your base certification is an initial certificate, you will be recommended for initial certification. You must apply for the Bilingual Extension on your initial certificate when you are preparing to graduate from the Advanced Certificate program in order for the state to issue your bilingual extension on your base certification. When you become eligible for professional certification in your base certification area, you can then apply for the bilingual extension on your professional certificate.
Professional Certification
When you graduate from the Intensive Teacher Institute – Bilingual Special Education (ITI-BSE) – Bilingual Extension Program if your base certification is a professional certificate, you will be recommended for professional certification. You must apply for the Bilingual Extension on your professional certificate when you are preparing to graduate from the Advanced Certificate program in order for the state to issue your bilingual extension on your base certification.
Expiring Certificates
If you will not graduate from the Advanced Certificate program prior to the expiration of your initial certificate, you may be eligible for an extension through New York State Education Department’s TEACH Online Services. Create/Log in to your TEACH account and select “Apply for a Time Extension.”
Certification and Exam Requirements for Certification
Candidates seeking certification must fulfill the following requirements before applying:
1. Pass all required New York State Teacher Certification Exams
- Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA Exam)
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 New York State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
All applications for New York 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.
Upon completion of workshops, students must submit their workshop certification(s) to the Office of Academic & Student Affairs so that their CUNYfirst account can be updated.
Submit Workshop Completion Form
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.
Applying for Certification through TEACH Account and Program Code
When to Apply
Students must fulfill all exam, workshop, and security clearance requirements before applying for certification. 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: Advanced Certificate
- Program Code: 29595 – BILINGUAL EXTENSION
- 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.
Initial Certificate Extension
- Select your Area of Interest: Other Extensions
- Select your Subject Area: Bilingual Education
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: Bilingual Education Extension
- Select your Certificate Type: Initial
Professional Certificate Extension
- Select your Area of Interest: Other Extensions
- Select your Subject Area: Bilingual Education
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: Bilingual Education Extension
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
You must add each certificate you want to apply for.
On the next page, enter the Program Code 29595.
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.
Submitting Workshop Completion
Upon completion of required workshops, students must submit their workshop certification(s) to the Office of Academic & 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.
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.