Program Overview

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NYC Teaching Fellows – Childhood Special Education D75 (MSEd)

This Childhood Special Education program is no longer accepting new applications for admission as the program prepares to transition to a Special Education (all grades) program.

Program Overview

The New York City Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) is an alternative teacher preparation program leading to New York State teacher certification. The NYCTF program is a collaboration among the New York City Department of Education, CUNY, and certain private universities in New York City. Students teach full-time in high-needs New York City public schools while studying at partner universities and participating in continuous supervision and professional development. Tuition costs are subsidized at approximately 50% by the NYCDOE, and students are not responsible for any tuition payments until their second year in the program. Upon successful completion of the two-year program, students earn a master’s degree and are eligible for New York State initial teacher certification.

Academic Plan

• CSEAC-MSED
• Total Credits: 42
• Advisor:
  • Elizabeth Klein, Faculty Advisor
  • Flavia Tomori, Assistant Director
  • Alissa Herbert, Certification, Graduation and Administrative Advisor

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

This course list applies to Cohort 33. Previous cohorts should contact their program coordinator for more details.

• SPED 70050 – Social, Historical, and Philosophical Foundations of General and Special Education (3 credits)
• CEDF 70900 – Child Development Grades 1-6 (3 credits)
• SPED 70600 – Strategies and Curriculum Adaptations for Learners with Severe/Multiple Disabilities (3 credits)
• SPED 78651 – Practicum, Year 1 – Part 1 (1.5 credits)
• SPEDE 77200 – Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Its Application to Young Children with Special Needs (3 credits)
• SPED 72400 – Writing for Students With Learning Disabilities, Methods 3 (2 credits)
• SPED 78652 – Practicum, Year 1 – Part 2 (1.5 credits)
• SPED 75100 – Methods and Materials for Teaching Students with Behavior Disorders (3 credits)
• CEDC 70450 – Teaching Developmental Reading (3 credits)
• CEDC 70550 – Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3 credits)
• CEDC 72250 – Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction: Integrating Literature, the Arts, and Technology (2 credits)
• SPED 70100 – Assessment of Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
• SPED 752.55 – Practicum, Year 2 – Part 1 (1.5 credits)
• SPED 70450 – Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (3 credits)
• SPED 72300 – Math for Students with Learning Disabilities (2 credits)
• SPED 752.56 – Practicum, Year 2 – Part 2 (1.5 credits)
• CEDC 70350 – Teaching Science in the Elementary School (3 credits)

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. You will be placed in a NYCTF Training Academy hosted by an NYC summer school. Pre-Service Training (PST) is managed by the NYCTF office.

First and Second Year

As a participant in the Teaching Fellows program, you are required to be hired by a high-need NYC 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.

Practicum

Participants in the NYC Teaching Fellows Childhood Special Education D75 program engage in a four-semester practicum experience. The practicum seminar and accompanying fieldwork are designed to support professional growth for new teachers entering the field in NYCDOE District 75 sites. Each semester, teacher candidates enroll in a practicum seminar course and are observed in the field by a fieldwork supervisor.

Certification and Licensure

The New York City Teaching Fellows program is a New York State certification program for Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education (MSED). You will apply for your certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Online Services.

Types of Certification

• Transitional B Certificate: A provisional certificate that you must hold while enrolled in an alternative certification program such as the NYC Teaching Fellows. It is valid for three years or the amount of time it takes you to graduate from Hunter College, whichever is shorter.
• Initial Certification: The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate. When you graduate from the New York City Teaching Fellows program, you will be recommended for both initial and professional certification.
• 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.

Certification and Exam Requirements

Transitional B Requirements

• Pass all required New York State Teacher Certification Exams
  • Educating All Students (EAS)
  • Content Specialty Test (CST): Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grades 1-6)
• Complete NY State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Partnership Programs
• Submit Exam Scores and Workshop Certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Program
• Clear fingerprints with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
• Apply and pay for your Transitional B certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account.

Initial Certification Requirements

• 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.

Applying for Certification

How to Apply for Certification

1. Create/Log in to your TEACH Account
2. Verify/Update Profile
3. Select Certificate(s)
4. Sign Affidavit
5. Confirm and Sign Application
6. Make Payment
7. Review Application Transaction Summary

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.