Certificate Program

Thank you for your interest in our Post-Baccalaureate Advanced Certificate Program.

Program Description

The Post-Baccalaureate Advanced Certificate Program is designed for graduate students with strong science preparation who have little or no professional courses in education. It consists of Master’s-level graduate education courses that culminate in a two semester sequence of student teaching at the middle school and high school levels. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, graduates will earn a New York State Initial Certificate license to teach science in grades 7-12.

The Post-Baccalaureate Advanced Certificate Program is specifically registered with and approved by the State Education Department as an initial teacher preparation program. Candidates completing this program are eligible for “approved program” certification through the Queens College Teacher Certification Office located in Powdermaker Hall, Room 135.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Secondary Science Education, candidates must complete and submit an application for graduate studies to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The deadline for applicants to matriculate in September is on or about April 1 of the previous semester and on or about Nov. 1 to matriculate in January.

Note: To apply, candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and at least 30 credits in one field of science (biology, chemistry, earth science or physics). Upon request, transcripts can be evaluated by the New York State Department of Education for the appropriateness of specific science courses toward the sought area of certification. To be certified through Queens College, a candidate must eventually have at least 36 credits of science, of which at least 30 credits must be in one science discipline. Science content deficiencies must be completed before certification is approved.

Candidates must also demonstrate, through their application and letters of reference, that they possess the temperament and appropriate dispositions to be an effective teacher. Candidates should be aware that many of the courses that are in the program require fieldwork in local schools in addition to class time on campus.

NOTE: Fingerprinting is required by the New York City Department of Education (for student teaching and employment) and by the New York State Department of Education (for certification purposes). Please be sure both systems have your fingerprints on file.

Attached below is a program of study that should provide additional clarity to your inquiry.