TESOL Pre-K-12: NYS Certification - Advanced Certificate

Admission Requirements

Program 1: For applicants who do not hold NYS certification

1. A master’s degree or doctoral degree from an accredited institution in TESOL, Linguistics, or Applied Linguistics, including specific coursework (of at least 3 credits each) in TESOL Methodology, Introduction to Linguistics, Analysis and Structure of English, Theories of Second Language Acquisition, and Sociolinguistics or Pragmatics. Any applicant lacking up to 8 credits of these pre-requisite content courses or fieldwork hours may be accepted into the program on the condition that they complete these credits before they begin their Student Teaching or Practicum requirement in the program.
2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 from an accredited bachelor’s degree program; or a graduate GPA of at least 3.5 from an accredited master’s or doctoral degree program in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or Linguistics.
3. A liberal arts or sciences major of at least 30 credits.
4. A general education core in liberal arts and sciences to include: 12 credits of foreign language documented on a transcript or equivalent credits as demonstrated through a standardized proficiency test like the College Level Examination Program (CLEP); 6 credits in English, 6 credits in social studies (to include at least one course in U.S. history or U.S. geography); 3 credits in the arts; and 12 credits in math, science and technology (a college course in calculus satisfies 6 credits of this requirement).
5. An on-site oral interview and an on-site writing sample may be required.
6. Two professional references.
7. A personal statement, explaining why the applicant is interested in obtaining PreK-12 certification in TESOL.
8. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination, except applicants who are certified teacher or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

Program 2: For students with prior NYS certification

1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0
2. A general education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include the following: 6 credits in English, 12 credits in a language other than English at the college level, 6 credits in social studies (with at least one course in U.S. history or U.S. geography), and 12 credits in math/science/technology (a college course in calculus meets 6 credits of this requirement).
3. Two professional references.
4. A personal statement.
5. An on-site oral interview and an on-site writing sample may be required.
6. NYS initial certification in one of the following areas: early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, or adolescent education; special subjects; students with disabilities; or literacy.

Progress Standards

1. Minimum GPA for Retention - Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain at Hunter College. Students whose grades fall below this standard are required to raise their GPAs to at least 3.0 within one semester.
2. No F in the first two semesters—students who receive a grade of F or WU in any course in the first two semesters will not be allowed to continue in the program.
3. Progress holds due to Incomplete Grades - Students with two or more INCs will not be allowed to register for any courses.
4. Key Course Performance Standards

   • Students must receive a grade of at least a B in key program courses. 

   • Students who receive a grade of F or WU in key program courses may not continue in the program. 

   • Key Program Courses are identified by the label (KC) in the course title.

Course of Study

Academic Plans:

(Program 1)TESOL-AC

(Program 2) TESFESL-AC

Exit Requirements

1. An overall GPA of 3.0.
2. Program 2 students must maintain a valid and appropriate NYS certification.
3. A passing score on the e-portfolio requirement.
4. A grade of at least a B in fieldwork/clinical teaching classes.
5. Complete the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop.