Additional Certificates & Extensions

Additional teaching certificates and extensions allow the holder of a certificate to teach an additional student population, grade, or subject. Each certificate or extension requires additional coursework, field-based experiences, and/or certification examination(s). Within Pace University programs, students can become eligible for the following specialty certificates and extensions:

Early Childhood Extension

Intended for childhood teachers with initial certification (grades 1-6), this 6-credit program enables teachers to extend their certification to birth- grade 2, with coursework that focuses specifically on the developmental needs of early childhood students. 

Bilingual Education Certificate

The Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Education Extension is designed to prepare candidates with the knowledge to teach general and subject-specific content in another language at all grade levels. Pace University’s Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Education program, offered on both our New York City and Westchester campuses, leads to the Professional Bilingual Education Extension certificate. The Bilingual Extension allows holders to teach in bilingual settings and have their bilingual instruction count for English Language Learners (ELL) services. Applicants for a NYS bilingual education extension to their certificate must have their initial teaching certification and already possess oral and written language proficiency in both English and the native language of instruction. Students will complete field-based experiences in bilingual classrooms. 

TESOL Education Certificate

The TESOL Advanced Certificate at the Pace University School of Education provides certified educators with knowledge of the multifaceted approach to teaching English language learners (ELLs), an increasing student population that requires a specialized study of language and literacy development, and differentiated instruction for students at all grade levels. TESOL is a growing field for both ESL teachers and general education and content area teachers with promising career opportunities domestically and internationally. Candidates who successfully complete the certificate will be certified to teach English to speakers of other languages in grades Pre-K–12.

Middle School Education Extension (Grades 5-6 OR Grades 7-9)

Childhood education candidates can be recommended for a Middle School Generalist Certificate after completion of TCH 455 Middle Childhood / Early Adolescence: Community, Culture, Identity and TCH 456 Differentiating Curriculum and Instruction in Middle Childhood Education. Adolescent education candidates who are eligible for or hold certificates in teaching biology, chemistry, earth science, English, mathematics, physics, or social studies (grades 7 through 12) can be recommended for a Middle School subject-specific certificate after completion of TCH 455 Middle Childhood / Early Adolescence: Community, Culture, Identity and TCH 456 Differentiating Curriculum and Instruction in Middle Childhood Education.  All middle level extensions require field-based work in middle-level classrooms and the appropriate certification examination(s).