“New York State will need about 180,000 teachers in the next decade.”
As many baby boomers plan their retirement, a serious teacher shortage is looming in New York State. In fact, the effects are already being felt – particularly in science, math, language and other secondary school certifications. To help with this impending problem, Utica College will once again offer the Transitional B Apprentice Teacher Certification Program and will run a summer cohort starting this May.
The deadline for applications has been extended to April 1. The 16-week intensive pre-service course of study is tentatively scheduled to run from May 1 through Aug. 24.
“COVID restrictions and Zoom teaching may have hastened the retirement plans for many seasoned teachers,” said John Rowe, executive director of graduate admissions at UC.
“New York State will need about 180,000 teachers in the next decade,” explained Michelle Licht, president of Williamsville Teachers Association and member of the NYSUT board of directors. “And we just don't have that many people who are going into education.”
The UC program of study is designed for candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a high-need area such as English, French, social studies, Spanish, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics or technology, with a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. Candidates in the Adolescence Education Apprenticeship Teacher Certification Program must complete an intensive 200-hour course of study during the summer, including time in a public-school setting. Candidates finish their degree program while engaged in mentored teaching as full-time employees of a local school district.
During the summer session of the program, students must complete 10 graduate credit hours, 40 hours of fieldwork, and pass the content specialty teacher certification test (CST) and the Educating All Students teacher certification test (EAS) given through the NYS Department of Education. Once these requirements have been completed, the student will be recommended to receive a Transitional B Certificate, which will allow them to teach while being mentored and supervised until they complete the other 28 credits of required coursework. The remaining coursework is taken in the evenings at Utica College. After all requirements have been met, students will be recommended for teacher certification.
For more information, contact graduate admissions at 315-792-3010, Rowe at jrowe@utica.edu, or Lynn Cope, assistant director of graduate admissions, at lcope@utica.edu.
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