State Certification Options

Pace University graduate programs lead to two different levels of New York State teaching certificates, the Initial certificate, and the Professional certificate. The academic requirements for the Initial certificate are met through all Pace teacher preparation programs.  To continue to teach in New York, a student must ultimately obtain a Professional Certificate. One advantage of Pace's Combined Degree Program is that it meets the academic requirements for both the Initial and the Professional Certificate. Additional information regarding New York State Teaching Certificates including time limits and specific criteria can be obtained at www.nysed.gov. For information on certificate requirements in another state, students should contact the teacher certification bureau for that state. Pace programs meet the academic requirements for certification in most other states, especially those states that are, like New York, members of the Interstate Certification Compact.

New York State regulations in effect at the publishing of this catalog require that all newly certified teachers complete the master's degree within five years of obtaining the Initial certificate. Pace University offers two routes to a master's degree. Students may opt to complete the Combined Degree, completing the undergraduate and graduate programs simultaneously in five years, or they may qualify for Initial certification requirements in four years through the undergraduate program, begin teaching, and complete the master's degree part-time while teaching.