Teacher Certification

Elmira College offers many programs of study serving the academic and professional aspirations of individuals employed by school systems in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as others seeking a career in education. Bachelors and master’s degree programs, as well as our alternative paths to teacher certification are designed with the belief that a liberal arts college offers unique opportunities for teachers and other educational leaders to achieve depth in their academic discipline and breadth in areas affecting their career preparation and advancement.

Initial Teacher Certification in New York State may be obtained in one of the following ways.

Earn Your Bachelor's Degree in one of our three teacher certification programs:

Already have your Bachelor's or Master's Degree, but not in a teacher certification program?
Elmira College offers Two Options toward Adolescence and Visual Arts certification which are categorized by New York State as "Individual Evaluation of U.S. Credentials."  In one you may take Undergraduate-level coursework, and in the other you may take Graduate-level coursework, which is applicable toward an Elmira College Master of Science in Education: General Education degree which, in turn, may be used toward your professional certification.

Already have your Provisional or Initial Certification?
Our Masters Programs will lead you to your Permanent or Professional Certification.

The New York State Department of Education has created new nomenclature which pertains to students who earned certification on or after February 2, 2004. These students will receive initial certification which leads to professional certification. Prior to February 2, 2004 students earned provisional certification which leads to permanent certification.