Teacher Education Programs

The Central Office of Academic Affairs supports Teacher Education programs across the University. CUNY enrolls more than 18,000 students in education programs: one-third of these students study at the undergraduate level and two-thirds are graduate students. With a special commitment to students in urban schools, our campuses prepare a culturally diverse pool of candidates to be effective teachers, counselors and building leaders in a variety of settings. The Teacher Education portfolio within Academic Affairs also includes grant-funded programs, research initiatives and policy issues.

CUNY’s Teacher Education Grid outlines programs across CUNY at every degree level. More information can be found on campus websites, below.

CUNY’s education programs for initial or professional certification fulfill the educational requirements for licensure in New York State, as per the final rule published on November 1, 2019 for institutions participating in Federal Student Aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

• NYC Young Men’s Initiative: NYC Men Teach

  Mayor de Blasio announced NYC Men Teach to inspire an additional 1,000 men of color to become NYC public school teachers by 2018, and CUNY continues to surpass this goal. To learn more about becoming part of NYC Men Teach, CUNY students can visit the program webpage which features the link to apply for spring 2021: deadline February 12, 2021.

• Algebra for All

  Working in partnership with NYC Department of Education,  CUNY provides eligible teachers with an opportunity to earn a tuition-free 15 credit graduate micro-credential in mathematics content and pedagogy.  General questions about the micro-credential are addressed in this overview.
  

  As part of this initiative, CUNY is sponsoring graduate application fees for 2021 applications to certain Math and Special Education master’s or Advanced Certificate programs – see a list of all programs here..  Ask your admissions office to learn more!

  CUNY faculty investigating and teaching equitable approaches to math education shared their praxis on three panel discussions this fall: Interdisciplinary Approach to Math Education, Intersectionality and Math Anxiety, and Algebra, COVID-19, and Equity.

• ONLINE Programs for teachers!

  Six CUNY Schools of Education offer fully online Master’s and Advanced Certificate programs for new and current teachers.  Tuition is charged at NYS rates.

• NYC Teaching Fellows

  Welcome to 2021 Fellows at Brooklyn, City, Hunter and Lehman College.

• NYS Certification Exam Overview and Support

  CUNY has developed a variety of resources to help students successfully complete the certification exams.

• TEACH Grants
  

  In addition to graduate students, in fall 2019 CUNY has expanded eligibility for TEACH Grants to certain undergraduate teacher candidates.  Those willing to work in high-need schools after graduation may be eligible for grants up to $4,000 a year. A summary is available online, and your college can tell you more.  Public school teachers may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness.