The Westchester Graduate Campus of Long Island University offers many variations of single, dual and multiple certifications and advanced certificates in teacher education (Early Childhood, Childhood, Middle Childhood, Special Education, Literacy, TESOL, etc) as well as School Psychology and School Counseling that prepare educators for the NYSTCE exams and lead to New York State Certification. Through Westchester Graduate Campus programs, teachers prepare for Initial or Professional Certification and school psychologists and school counselors prepare for Provisional and Permanent Certification. You can learn more about our master’s degree and advanced certificate offerings on the Program page of this Web site.
New York State Teacher Certification Examinations
(NYSTCE Exams)
All MS.Ed students wishing to teach in New York State must take a series of NYSTCE Exams in order to become certified. These exams ensure that teachers have the knowledge and skills needed to teach in the NY state public schools. The testing program is administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc.
The NYSTCE exams are offered several times throughout the year at various testing sites. Information on the dates and locations of the exams are posted on the NYSTCE Web site: www.nystce.nesinc.com.
The NYSTCE exam series includes the following tests:
● Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
● Assessment of Teaching Skills Written (ATS-W)- at the Elementary and Secondary levels
● Content Specialty Tests (CSTs)
● Language Proficiency Assessments (LPAs)
● Bilingual Education Assessments (BEAs), and
● Assessment of Teaching Skills-Performance (ATS-P) (video*)
*The video portion of the exam is only for those holding a Provisional Certificate.
Students seeking an Initial New York State teaching certificate must achieve qualifying scores on the following NYSTCE exams:
● Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
● Assessment of Teaching Skills Written (ATS-W)- at the Elementary and Secondary levels
● Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) in the content area(s) of the certification(s) sought.
Once you have met all the requirements for Initial certification, you will not need any further testing to obtain your Professional certificate.
When to take the New York State Teacher
Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) exams:
● Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and Language Proficiency Assessments (LPAs) should be taken when suggested by your faculty advisor.
● Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) should be taken upon completion of half of the academic coursework required for the program. This test is most often taken before student teaching.
● Content Specialty Test (CST) and Bilingual Education Assessments (BEAs) should generally be taken towards the end of the program. Consult with your advisor.
● Assessment of Teaching Skills-Performance (ATS-P) Students holding Provisional Certificates should wait until they have one or more years of teaching experience and have the capability to demonstrate effective teaching before taking the ATS-P.
Visit the NYSTCE Web site at www.nystce.nesinc.com to view descriptions of the exams, examples of the types of questions, and information on the amount of time needed to take the various examinations.
You can register for the NYSTCE exams:
● On the Internet, with a credit card at www.nystce.nesinc.com.
● By mail, by completing the exam registration form in the NYSTCE booklet. You can receive a registration booklet by phoning the testing company at (413) 256-2882. These booklets are sometimes available at the Westchester Campus reception desk.
Exam results:
The Westchester Graduate Campus of Long Island University will not receive your score reports unless you so request. Score results are reported both to you and to the New York State Education Department.
A total score of 220 or higher is needed to pass each test. Any total score below 220 is not passing. If you do not receive a passing score on the exam, you may take it again. There is no limit to the number of times you may register and take the NYSTCE exams.
Fingerprinting:
The Schools Against Violence in Education Legislation of 2001 requires that all applicants for a Teaching Certificate be subject to a fingerprint criminal history background check. Background checks are required for all school personnel and students participating in student teaching.
The Fingerprinting Process:
● Obtain a fingerprinting packet. Packets are available at the reception desk on Campus. Fill out the top portion of the fingerprint cards completely.
● Fill out the fingerprint consent form sections one, two, and five.
● If you are seeking clearance for employment, have the prospective employer complete sections three and four.
● Make your bank check, certified check, money order or employer check for $99 payable to the New York State Education Department. Personal checks are not accepted. The agency that is performing the fingerprinting service may require an additional fee.
● Take the completed OSPRA 101 form, the completed fingerprint cards and the $99 fee to your local state, city, or town police, get fingerprinted and sign the fingerprint card.
● Mail the completed OSPRA 101 form, the completed fingerprint cards and the $99 fee to OSPRA in the pre-addressed envelope. It can take up to eight weeks to receive a full clearance.
Certification
● Old Requirements (Provisional Certificate):
Provisional Certification is no longer issued. This type of certificate was offered prior to February 2, 2004. This certificate is valid for five years from the date it was issued and leads to Permanent Certification.
Permanent Certification is valid for the life of the holder and is issued only to those holding a Provisional certificate. Candidate must hold a Provisional Certificate and a Master’s degree and pass the NYSTCE’s CST and ATS-P exams, attend a School Anti-Violence Education (S.A.V.E.) seminar and complete an application for certification.
● New Requirements (Initial Certification)
Currently, those holding Initial Certification are eligible for Professional Certification.
Application for Certification
If you have completed a registered teacher education program at the Westchester Graduate Campus that leads to a certificate we will apply to the Office of Teaching Initiatives in Albany on your behalf. Otherwise, your will need to apply on your own through the local BOCES office located at 17 Berkley Drive, Rye Brook, NY 10573, (914) 937-6107.
If you are enrolled at the Westchester Graduate Campus of Long Island University, you can request an application at the reception desk on Campus. Submit the completed application to Ms. Lori Grasso in the month you plan to graduate or the month you complete the program.
Completed applications submitted to the Westchester Graduate Campus must include:
● A money order for $50 for each certificate payable to: New York State Education Department. (Personal checks are not accepted.)
● Photocopies of the completion documents from the required seminars.
● Transcripts- Include original student copies of transcripts from other institutions if it is for a Post baccalaureate Certification Program, or if it is documenting coursework needed to apply for a second certificate.
● Mail or deliver the completed application packet to:
The Westchester Graduate Campus of Long Island University
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY, 10577
Attention: Ms. Lori Grasso
We process your application and send it to the New York State Education Department. If you need a letter attesting to your program completion, you may obtain one from the Associate Provost. In approximately 4-12 weeks you will receive your certificate from the New York State Education Department. Please note that certificates cannot be forwarded to a new address. If you move, you must inform the State Education Department of your new address.
Teacher Education
Admissions Requirements| Program Directors
Degree & Certificate Programs |Course Descriptions
Education Programs:
Childhood Education | Middle Childhood & Adolescence Education
Special Education |Literacy Education | TESOL
Early Childhood Education | Advanced Certificates
Top of the page
