Are you considering a career change to teaching? Many professionals find teaching to be an incredibly rewarding path, offering the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students and shape the future. However, navigating the process of becoming a certified teacher and figuring out how to pay for it can feel overwhelming.
New York State recognizes the critical role teachers play and offers a range of resources to help career changers transition into the classroom. Whether you have a degree in a different field or are starting fresh, the New York Department of Education, SUNY, and the federal government provide pathways and financial support to make teaching more accessible. TeachNY, a free resource, helps students figure out their personal journey.
Brief Overview of Becoming a Teacher in New York For Career Changers
The first step in your transition to education is determining which certification path aligns with your background. New York offers two primary pathways for career changers:
1. Career Changers with a College Degree
If you already have a bachelor’s degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program, you may be eligible for an Alternative Teacher Certification Program.
Requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree in the subject you wish to teach, or at least 18 credit hours in the subject and 12 credit hours in a related field.
- Passing the appropriate New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) for your subject area.
- Applying to a college with a registered Alternative Teacher Certification Program.
2. Career Changers with International Education or No Teaching Background
If you earned your degree outside the U.S. or did not complete an education program, you can apply for certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Steps include:
- Earning a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Completing the required credit hours for core competencies in your desired subject area.
- Submitting an application for teacher certification through the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives.
Not sure which path applies to you? Visit the NYSED Certification Pathways Page for guidance.
Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities for Career Changers
1. TEACH New York: Application & Fee Reimbursement
- Best for: Career changers applying to teacher certification programs.
- Available: Year-round
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Must have a TeachNY account before applying to a teaching program.
- Applied to one of TeachNY’s partner programs.
- Paid a required fee related to your teacher certification process.
- Have official documentation of expenses.
- Seeking initial teacher certification.
- Award Amount: Reimburses up to $100 for application fees, transcript requests, testing fees, transportation costs, and test prep materials.
Learn more: TEACH New York
2. NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship
- Best for: Career changers pursuing a master’s degree in education at a SUNY or CUNY school.
- Available: Opens in the spring
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and a legal New York State resident for at least 12 months.
- Hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Enrolled full-time in an approved graduate teaching program at a SUNY or CUNY school.
- Be in good financial standing (not in default on NYS or federal student loans).
- Award Amount: Covers tuition at a SUNY or CUNY master’s program in education up to $5,655 per semester.
- Post-Graduation Commitment: Recipients must teach in a New York State public school for five years after graduation.
Learn more: NYS Masters-in-Education Incentive Scholarship
Other Financial Aid Options for Aspiring Teachers
In addition to teacher-specific funding, career changers may also qualify for traditional student financial aid:
- NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): Grants tuition aid to full-time students enrolled in degree-granting programs at NY colleges.
- Federal Pell Grant: Offers up to $7,395 per year (as of 2024) to undergraduate students with financial need.
- Federal Work-Study: Provides part-time employment while pursuing a teaching degree.
FAQs About Career-Changing to Teaching
- How long does it take to become a teacher in New York?
- The timeline varies based on your chosen path. If you already have a degree, an alternative teacher certification program can take 12-18 months; however, a traditional certification program may take two or more years.
- What subjects have the highest demand for teachers in New York?
- Math, science, special education, bilingual education, and STEM fields are in high demand.
- Can I teach while earning my certification?
- Yes! Some alternative teacher certification programs allow you to work as a teacher while completing coursework.
Making a career change to teaching is a bold and rewarding move. New York’s financial support, federal programs, and alternative pathways help make the transition accessible. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore the education degrees at SUNY to begin your journey.
