TESOL Intensive Teacher Institute (ITI)
The TESOL Intensive Teacher Institute (ITI) program, offered in partnership with the New York State Education Department and New York City Department of Education, offers current content and classroom teachers the opportunity to achieve additional New York State certification in teaching PreK-12 English to Speakers of Others Language (ESOL).
Over a five course sequence, you will learn the skills necessary to teach English to speakers of other languages using specialized methods and techniques that differ from those used by teachers of English to native speakers. You will also receive specialized mentoring and coaching feedback throughout the program. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible for New York State certification in ESOL as an additional license.
The TESOL ITI program is only open to certified teachers who are currently teaching in NYC DOE schools. Tuition is significantly subsidized by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Coursework begins in the spring semester (typically and end of January) and is completed in 3 semesters (spring, summer, fall).
Academic Plan
- TESOLCP-AC
Total Credits
15
Program Code for Certification
- 37573 – TESOL Supplemental Cert Program: CR-ITI
Advisor
- Christine Rosalia, Faculty Advisor
- Cassandra Smith, Program Coordinator
- 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
The program advisor will notify students of their cohort’s particular course of study before registering for classes.
Clinical Experiences
As a participant in the TESOL Intensive Teacher Institute (ITI) program, you are required to be employed in a full-time teacher in a New York City Department of Education school in a participating bilingual expansion school in a bilingual position. All fieldwork requirements can be completed in this capacity; you are not required to complete additional fieldwork beyond your full-time teaching position.
Certification and Licensure
The TESOL Intensive Teacher Institute (ITI) program leads to New York State certification to teach ESOL PreK-12. Students must wait to apply for certification until they receive an email from the School of Education indicating their recommendation has been entered. This usually occurs six to eight week’s after the conferral of your degree.
Types of Certification
Students are recommended for both initial and professional certification:
- 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.
- The Professional Certificate is an advanced certificate. Once teachers have completed three years of full-time, paid teaching experience including one year of mentored teaching, they can apply for professional certification.
Application Processes and Procedures Checklist
Review Your Fingerprint Status
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. You can check your state clearance status on your TEACH account.
Take Required Certification Exams and Workshops
Exams
All students must fulfill the following exam requirements over the course of their program:
- Educating All Students (EAS)
- Students who have completed Educating All Students (EAS) for a prior certification, do not need to take the exam again.
- Content Specialty Test (CST) – English to Speakers of Other Languages (116)
Exam Registration and Test Preparation
Register for an exam at the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website. Need help preparing? Learn about upcoming Test Preparation Workshops.
Workshops
All students must fulfill the following workshop requirements over the course of their program:
- School Violence Prevention and Intervention
- This workshop is not included in coursework for your program. Sign up for the workshop through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website.
- Prevention and Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
- This workshop is not included in coursework. Sign up for the workshop through the New York State Education Department (NYSED website).
- Dignity for All Students (DASA) workshop
- Students who began their program prior to Fall 2023 must take the workshop in addition to the courses required for their program. Students may take the DASA workshop through Hunter College’s Continuing Education department or with another approved provider through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website. For students who begin in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024, please consult with your advisor about how you will complete this workshop. For students who begin in Fall 2024 or later, this workshop will be included in the coursework requried for your program. 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.
- Educating All Students (EAS)
Apply for Graduation
In order to be recommended for certification, all students in all programs including advanced certificate programs, must complete their program and apply for graduation. For more information on the graduation process, please visit the School of Education Graduation and Commencement page.
Apply for 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 will be recommended for Initial and Professional certification. There are 5 steps in the application process.
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.
1. 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 the drop down next to Degree, select Certificate of Advanced Studies.
For employment history enter all full-time, paid teaching experiences in both public, private and charter schools.
2. Select Certificate(s)
Enter the following information for the certificates section depending on whether you are applying for initial or professional certification.
Initial Certification
- Select your Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher
- Select your Subject Area: English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Select your Certificate Type: Initial
On the next page you will be prompted to enter the program code:
- Program Code: 37573 – TESOL Supplemental Cert Program: CR-ITI
Professional Certification
- Select your Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher
- Select your Subject Area: English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
On the next page you will be prompted to enter the program code:
- Program Code: 37573 – TESOL Supplemental Cert Program: CR-ITI
3. Complete application (sign affidavit, sign application, make payment)
Read and sign the required affidavit and confirm and sign the application. Finally, make payment.
Additional Resources
Expiring Certifications
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 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 and upload the required completed form for the state they are applying to.
For students applying in states that have a web based form (ex. New Jersey), please send the access information to Melissa Boronkas, Certification Officer at mb74@hunter.cuny.edu.
For more information on certification or licensure requirements in other states, please review the interstate agreement information on the National Associate of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification site.
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.
Letter Requests
Please use the School of Education Letter Request Form to request a letter from the School of Education to verify your education experience.
Internship Certification for Graduate Teacher Education Students
The Internship Certificate allows a teacher candidate to serve as a teacher of record while completing the master’s degree program. The Internship Certificate is reserved for graduate teacher education students who meet certain New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Hunter College School of Education requirements. For more information on the Internship Certificate with Hunter College, please review the Internship Certificate page.
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.