FAQs - For Graduate Students only

TESOL candidates can only earn a bilingual extension if they hold  NYS certification in an area other than TESOL.  In order to be accepted, students must complete their TESOL course of study and formally apply to the Bilingual Extension (see application deadline dates above).  Students can use courses in the TESOL program to count toward the requirements for the Extension. TESOL candidates who wish to complete the Bilingual Extension can choose electives that will help fulfill the Extension requirements.

Bilingual Education candidates can earn a TESOL certificate.  In order to be accepted, students must complete their Bilingual Education course of study and formally apply to the TESOL Stream D program (see application deadline dates above).  Upon graduation, students can use courses in the Bilingual Education program to count toward the requirements for the TESOL Certificate. Bilingual Education master's degree candidates who wish to complete the TESOL Certificate can choose electives that will help fulfill the TESOL certificate requirements.

TESOL candidates in Stream A and NYC Teaching Fellows must complete two practicum experiences in TESOL with two different age groups (K-6 and 7-12). TESOL certificate candidates must complete one practicum either at the K-6 or 7-12 grade level. EDCE 6601C (Elementary) and EDCE 6602C (Secondary) provide these experiences. TESOL candidates in Stream B must complete one practicum experience, with either of these two age groups, or with adults (EDCE 6603C). Each of these courses requires that the candidate spend 5 days or 35 hours in the appropriate level classroom, as well as complete other requirements as specified by the instructor. (Some fellows may have completed both these requirements through their pre-service field experience. See your advisor for more information.) The practicum includes a weekly on-campus seminar, in which candidates share resources and reflect on their practicum experiences in order to improve their teaching practices.

New York State requires that all candidates for certification in TESOL complete 12 semester hours (or equivalent) study of language other than English. This requirement can be met through undergraduate or graduate coursework, study at language institutes, CLEP scores or other placement exams, and/or certain types of international experiences. If your college transcripts do not show 12 hours or more of such study, please see your advisor to determine how you can meet this requirement. Bilingual Education candidates can earn a TESOL certificate.  In order to be accepted, students must complete their Bilingual Education course of study and formally apply to the TESOL Stream D program (see application deadline dates above).  Upon graduation, students can use courses in the Bilingual Education program to count toward the requirements for the TESOL Certificate. Bilingual Education master's degree candidates who wish to complete the TESOL Certificate can choose electives that will help fulfill the TESOL certificate requirements.

A passing grade in any individual course is a C.However, students should maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (equivalent to a B). With a GPA less than 3.0, students are put on academic probation. Students who complete the program with a GPA less than 2.8 cannot graduate; those who have a GPA between 2.8 and 3.0 must pass the Qualifying Examination in order to graduate.

Candidates who complete the course requirements for their program but have a GPA lower than 3.0 are required to pass the Qualifying Exam to graduate. The Exam is given near the end of each semester. You must register to take the exam in North Academic Center, Room 6/207B. The exam is a 3 hour on-site, closed book essay format, but you can receive a copy of the questions when you register.

Please note that students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 to be eligible to take the Qualifying Exam.

We offer Master's degrees in Bilingual Childhood Education, Bilingual (General) Education, TESOL, and Bilingual Special Education, along with non-degree certificate programs for the Bilingual Extension or a TESOL Certificate. Click here for more information.

Matriculated candidates may apply for an Internship Certificate once half the required coursework has been completed all necessary certification exams have been passed and they have received an offer of employment from a NYC public school in their area of certification. More information is available here.

If you are a matriculated student at another CUNY 4-year college, you may apply electronically, via an e-permit, to get permission to take a course at another CUNY 4-year college.  You can find a schedule of TESOL and Bilingual Education courses for the upcoming semester at CCNY on this site under Courses.  Once you identify a course you want to take,  contact your home college advisor for her/his approval, and then initiate an e-permit.

There is one matter that can complicate the situation. Students who register from other campuses register after our regular students do, and sometimes courses fill before that time.  Unfortunately, there is  no way to predict which classes will fill.  Nevertheless, the first step is to submit an e-permit.

Candidates for initial teaching certification may be required to take additional courses to meet New York State liberal arts prerequisite requirements for teaching certification (regardless of your undergraduate college's requirements).  Please ask your program director for more information.  ESL teachers must also complete 12 credits (or equivalent) study of a language other than English. (Please note that the program will only accept liberal arts prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.) Students with remaining requirements satisfy them through coursework at accredited institutions (graduate or undergraduate) or through passing scores on CLEP examinations.

Up to 6 credits may be transferred from a graduate program at another university, but only if certain conditions apply.  The course description must match a course (or elective) at CCNY, the course must have been completed within three years prior to your matriculation at CCNY, and the credits may not have been applied toward another degree.  In addition, only courses for which you have earned at grade of at least B- may be transferred.

Candidates for initial teaching certification may be required to take additional courses to meet New York State liberal arts prerequisite requirements for teaching certification (regardless of your undergraduate college's requirements).  ESL teachers must also complete 12 credits (or equivalent) study of a language other than English. (Please note that the program will only accept liberal arts prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.) Students with remaining requirements satisfy them through coursework at accredited institutions (graduate or undergraduate) or through passing scores on CLEP examinations.

Effective Fall 2010 students are longer allowed to use LAST or CST sub-scores to fulfill liberal arts prerequisites. (The following website has been brought to our attention regarding online math courses: http://omegamath.com.  We have not used the site, but provide it for your information.)