Teacher EducationProgram Certifications
Certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
Students may be certified for Childhood Education with almost any major (current exceptions are: studio art, theater, and writing and rhetoric). In addition to the teaching internships and professional seminars, students must complete New York State general education distribution requirements including a foreign language (the equivalent of two semester of college coursework or comparable placement in any modern or classical language) and mathematics (one college mathematics course, or a suitable HWS math-placement test score).
Dual Certification in Childhood and Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
Students being certified in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities are prepared to work as full-time teachers of students with disabilities, and are also certified to teach in typical elementary school classrooms. Dual certification students must meet all of the requirements for Childhood Education, and also complete four courses in special-education offered by the education, psychology, and sociology departments; and they must take two additional non-credit professional seminars in special education.
Certification in TESOL (Grades PreK-12)
Student being certified in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages are required to complete a sequence of two TESOL-related courses in the Educational Studies Department, four semesters of a foreign language or its equivalent, and complete all of the other NY State distribution requirements for Initial certification. Students must major in: anthropology, arts and education, English, French & Francophone studies, history, individual studies (BA), international relations, psychology (BA), sociology, Spanish & Hispanic studies, theatre, or writing and rhetoric.
Certification in Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12)
Junior high or high school teachers are certified to teach in the area of their major. HWS is licensed to offer certification in English, French, Spanish, Latin, mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and social studies (social studies certification requires a major in history, political science, or economics, and additional area-specific requirements). In addition to the teaching internships and professional seminars, students must complete NY State distribution requirements including a foreign language (the equivalent of two semester of college coursework or placement in any modern or classical language)
Certification in Art Education (Grades PreK-12)
Art teachers are certified to teach visual arts in grades Pre-K through 12. Candidates are required to complete a major in studio art, with the provision that the major include either four art history courses or three art history courses and a course in aesthetics, and must study at least two historical periods or cultures. Art students must complete all of the other distribution requirements for initial certification.
Certification in Music Education (Grades PreK-12)
Music teachers are certified to teach choral and instrumental music in grades Pre-K through 12. Candidates are required to complete a major in music as well as additional music-methods courses, and meet all of the other distribution requirements for initial certification. Apply to the Teacher Education Program and FAQ.