Teacher Certification & Professional Learning Programs
Certification Procedures
Teacher certification is conferred by the New York State Education Department to candidates who meet all requirements for the issuance of the certificate. The School of Education's graduate programs lead to initial/professional certification recommendation depending on the candidates' teaching experience and academic preparation.
To be eligible for certification, you must:
- Complete your graduate degree program.
- Complete all required New York State certification tests.
- Complete the fingerprinting process.
- Complete a Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop.
- Complete the Violence Prevention workshop.
- Complete the Child Abuse Detection workshop.
Initial Teaching Certification
- Educating All Students Test (EAS) - Recommended to be taken within 24 graduate credits
- Content Specialty Tests (CST) - Must be taken prior to entering the clinical semester
- Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) - Submitted during the clinical semester
Professional Teaching Certification/Additional Teaching Certifications for Certified Teachers
- Educating All Students Test (EAS) - If needed
- Content Specialty Tests (CST) - Should be taken prior to completing the program
A professional certification recommendation also requires documentation of three years of teaching experience at the same grade range/subject area as the certificate sought. During one of the years, the candidate must have been mentored by an experienced teacher or school administrator.
School Building Leadership
School District Leadership
Prepare for your certification tests. Sign up now for a free Mercy University workshop!
Registration information for these examinations may be found here.
Begin the registration process.
- Participation in the three required workshops as listed below:
Dignity for All Students (DASA)
The NYSED TEACH system requires candidates to file an electronic application for certification at the TEACH website.
