Yonkers Teacher Academy – Adolescent Special Education (MSEd)
Welcome to the Yonkers Teacher Academy home page. Use this page as a guide to the program from acceptance to graduation.
Yonkers Teacher Academy is a 2-year Master’s program to prepare adolescent Special Education teachers to work in Yonkers Public Schools and earn New York State certification. Candidates are employed in Yonkers Public Schools as full-time teachers for the duration of their Master’s program under Trans B certification; upon successful completion of the program, candidates receive a Master’s degree from Hunter College and are eligible for initial certification. Tuition is subsidized by Yonkers Public Schools.
Academic Plan
SE712-MSED
Total Credits
42
Advisor
- Gina Riley, Faculty Advisor
- Flavia Tomori, Assistant Director and 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 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
- SPED 70050 Social, Historical, and Philosophical Foundations of General and Special Education (3 credits)
- SPED 70200 Classroom Management in Special Education and Inclusive Settings (3 credits)
- SPED 70100 Assessment of Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
- SPED 70450 Issues in Teaching English Second Language Learners with Special Education Needs (3 credits)
- SPED 77100 Methods of Teaching Reading for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
- SPED 77550 or SPED 78900 Supervised Practicum: Grades 7-12 (2 credits)
- SPED 77300 Math Methods for Adolescents with Disabilities (2 credits)
- SPED 77600 Writing & Executive Function for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities (2 credits)
- SEDC 71600 Math Curriculum and Methods – Grades 7-12 (3 credits)
- SEDF 71400 Adolescent Development and Learning – Grades 7-12 (3 credits)
- SPED 78000 The Study of Learning Disabilities in Children and Adolescents (3 credits)
- SEDC 71800 Science Curriculum and Methods – Grades 7-12 (3 credits)
- EDLIT 75500 Literacy Instruction for Struggling Readers and Writers: Grades 5-12 (3 credits)
- SPED 77700 Supervised Clinical Teaching of Students with Learning Disabilities (KC) (1.5 credits) (Part 1)
- SEDC 71700 Social Studies Curriculum and Methods – Grades 7-12 (3 credits)
- SPED 77700 Supervised Clinical Teaching of Students with Learning Disabilities (KC) (1.5 credits) (Part 2)
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. Placement for pre-service summer fieldwork is managed by Yonkers Public Schools.
First and Second Year
As a participant in the Yonkers Teacher Academy program, you are required to be hired by a high-need Yonkers 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.
Learning Lab
As a participant in the Yonkers Teacher Academy program you will enroll in Learning Lab during your second year. Learning Lab is a required year-long clinical experience embedded in SPED 777. This lab draws on the lectures and materials from the methods courses in your program. In this clinical teaching practicum, you will be required to tutor a student with an IEP twice weekly to address individualized goals of the student and practice use of specialized, research based methods for students with disabilities. This tutoring must take place outside of regular class time. You will receive specific information and support about the tutoring requirements in your SPED 777 courses. You will tutor a student at your school and participate in a hybrid seminar. Per the Hunter College School of Education progress standards, you must receive a grade of at least a B in Learning Lab. If you receive a grade of B- or lower you must apply to the department chair for permission to retake the course. Students who earn an F in Learning Lab will not be allowed to continue in the program.
Certification and Licensure
Yonkers Teacher Academy is a New York State certification program for Adolescent Special Education. You will apply for your certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Online Services.
You will apply for a Transitional B certificate at the beginning of the program and the Initial Certificate upon graduation.
Once you have completed three years of full-time paid teaching experience, you can also apply for the Professional Certificate.
New For Students with Disabilities 7-12 Certification Generalists candidates/teachers who are teaching or seek to teach in a self-contained classroom:
- Effective July 1, 2021, all special education teachers who teach one or more subject areas in a special class (self-contained class) in grades 7-12, with some or no students under alternate assessment, must either: be certified in each subject area that they teach, or meet the teaching experience requirement for the statement of continued eligibility (SOCE) and have an active SOCE application in the TEACH online system in each subject area that they teach. A students with disabilities generalist grades 7-12 teacher can teach as a Consultant Teacher, Resource Room Teacher, Integrated Co-Teacher, or Special Class Teacher – All Students Under Alternate Assessment.
- If you have 18 credits in biology, chemistry, earth science, English, math, physics, social studies, or a language, you can apply for a subject area extension. If you have a total of 18 credits (undergraduate and/or graduate) in one of those subjects or wish to gain additional credits, please make an appointment to meet with an advisor to determine next steps – select certification and licensure advising from the list.
- Read the full New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulation.
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
The Transitional B certificate is a provisional license that you are required to acquire and maintain while enrolled in an alternative certification program, including Yonkers Teacher Academy. It is valid for three years or the amount of time it takes you to graduate from Hunter College, whichever is shorter.
You will apply and pay for your Transitional B certificate at the beginning of the program; your advisor will provide the necessary details at that time.Initial Certification
The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate. When you graduate from the Yonkers Teacher Academy, you will be recommended for both initial and professional certification in Adolescent Special Education. You must apply for the initial certificate as you prepare to graduate from Hunter College in order for the state to issue your initial certification. Your advisor will provide the necessary details. 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: Secondary Teachers Grades 7-12.
- Please note there are three parts of this test (test codes 241, 242, and 245). You may register to take one part at a time or all three parts together, but you must pass all 3 parts before you are eligible for your Trans B certificate.
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
Complete this workshop with any New York State Education Department (NYSED) approved provider.
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
Complete this workshop with any New York State Education Department (NYSED) approved provider.
Autism Workshop
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. 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 Alissa Herbert at ah420@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 page to learn how to obtain fingerprint clearance.
5. Apply and pay for your Transitional B certification by December 15 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 Alissa Herbert at ah420@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.
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: 34443 – TEACHER OF SWD-ADOLESCENT 7-12 (GENERALIST)
- 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: Students with Disabilities
- Select the Grade Level: Adolescent – Grades 7-12
- Select the Title: Students with Disabilities – Grades 7-12 Generalist
- 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: Students with Disabilities
- Select the Grade Level: Adolescent – Grades 7-12
- Select the Title: Students with Disabilities – Grades 7-12 Generalist
- 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: Students with Disabilities
- Select the Grade Level: Adolescent – Grades 7-12
- Select the Title: Students with Disabilities – Grades 7-12 Generalist
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
On the next page, enter the Program Code 34443.
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.