Graduate Admission Information

The number of credits required to complete a Master's program in Bilingual Education depends on whether the student already holds New York State initial teaching certification and/or a bilingual extension. Students enroll in either Stream A, Stream B, or Stream C.

The number of credits required to complete a Master's program in TESOL depends on whether the student already holds New York State initial teaching certification and/or whether s/he wishes to obtain certification. Students enroll in either Stream A, Stream B, or Stream C.

All candidates for initial teaching certification may also be required to take additional courses to meet State liberal arts pre-requisites. Click here for more information.  Students with remaining requirements may be satisfied through coursework at accredited institutions (graduate or undergraduate) or through passing scores on CLEP examinations. 

The amount of time it takes to complete the program depends on how many credits a student takes each semester.  However, the minimum time required to complete any Master's degree in the program is 1 1/2 years (3 semesters).

No, it is not necessary to be certified as a teacher prior to admission to the program. TESOL candidates without certification may apply to either Stream B (non-certification), or Stream C (to obtain initial certification). Bilingual Education applicants without initial certification enroll in Stream C to obtain initial certification or Stream D (non-certification).

International transcripts and all those in a language other than English must be translated by an approved foreign education evaluation service. Click here for a list of approved evaluation services.

Please note that documents are translated from originals for their content. Often, agencies will provide the notation that a program of study is or is not equivalent to a US Bachelors degree. However, the College makes the final determination as to whether or not a course of study is equivalent to a US Bachelors degree and does not rely on an agencies' notations in that regard.

The application deadline for Spring admission is October 15; the deadline for Summer and Fall admission is March 15. Please consult the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.

Candidates may apply up to 9 credits taken as a non-matriculated student to a degree in the School of Education. To register as a non-matriculated student, submit an application to the Graduate Admissions Office.

The School of Education Graduate Admissions Office has information about applying as a non-matriculated student.

Yes, the bilingual extension can be applied to early childhood, childhood and secondary levels.  The 5 courses required for the extension are applicable across the grade levels.
 

The undergraduate GPA is one factor among several that are considered in the evaluation of an admission application (i.e. recommendations, on-site interview and essay). We recommend that students whose undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 include a brief statement with their application explaining why they believe their undergraduate grades do not reflect their true potential for graduate study.

Up to six credits in advanced standing (transfer credits) may be allowed for graduate work satisfactorily completed at institutions other than The City College, provided that the student's advisor and program director deem the work appropriate to the student's program of study and an official transcript is on file. The course or courses for which such credit is sought must have been completed within the three-year period prior to the date of matriculation in the graduate program, and may not have been used toward another degree. After acceptance to the program, students should meet with their advisor to determine their eligibility to receive transfer credits.

Click here for City College tuition and fees.

There are two primary ways to obtain New York State teaching certification:

• Candidates for certification may apply directly to the New York State Department of Education, which can review your transcripts and experience, and make a determination as to whether you have met all certification requirements, and/or what requirements still remain. For more information, click here.

  If additional certification requirements remain, it may be possible to complete those courses at City College. However, please note that only 9 credits may be taken as a non-matriculant, and we do not supervise student teaching or practicum experiences for non-matriculated students.

• The other path to certification is to complete a program registered with the State from an accredited university. The Master's programs in TESOL (Stream C) and Bilingual Education (Stream C) are such programs, as they lead to New York State initial teaching certification.

Answer:  Click here for information about applying directly to New York State for certification.  This information is provided for those who may already hold many credits toward certification and do not seek an additional degree.

Our class schedule is geared to part-time students who work full-time, as most of our students do.  Accordingly, our classes meet just once a week, from either 4:50-7:20pm, or from 7:30-10pm.  Most students in the program take one or two classes each semester.

Some courses also require 10-15 hours of fieldwork, which must be completed either in schools and/or with emergent bilingual students.  If you intend to seek New York State teaching certification, one semester of (unpaid) student teaching will be required.  (In some cases, matriculated candidates may apply for an Internship Certificate once at least half the required coursework has been completed and all necessary certification exams have been passed. However, prospective students should plan for one semester of unpaid student teaching during the final semester of enrollment.)

Click here to see a You Tube video that shows the campus at the June 2007 commencement ceremony.