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Master's Degree and Certification 


Overview
Structure of the Master’s program
Cost to the Fellow
Certification

Overview
One of the benefits of becoming a Teaching Fellow is enrollment in a subsidized Master’s degree program while working as a full-time teacher under the NY State Transitional B certification. The New York City Department of Education subsidizes most of the costs of tuition (excluding books and materials) at one of several partner universities. These participating universities, located throughout New York City, offer Master’s degrees that have been customized for Teaching Fellows. Each university offers expertise in specific subject areas and a unique set of Master’s programs. Fellows are placed at a university based on their subject area and borough assignment.

 
Structure of the Master’s program

How are Teaching Fellows supported?

In the words of a Fellow...
"Your Master's classes are with other Fellows, so everyone understands
the pressures you are facing, the challenges, the excitement,
and the little joys of every day." - Julie, 2003 Fellow


Master’s programs are tailored to accommodate Fellows’ teaching schedules with classes during the evenings, as well as during the summer. The Master’s degree takes two to three years to complete; the duration varies depending on a Fellow’s subject area and assigned university.
 
Fellows take a range of courses at their universities, including:
 
• History of Education
• Teaching: Methods and Principles
• Classroom Organization
• Psychological Foundations of Education
• Language, Literacy, and Educational Technology
• Skillful Teaching: Strategies for Effective Instruction and Classroom Management

Fellows average two courses (six credits) per term. Fellows who have previous relevant graduate coursework may be able to count up to six graduate credits toward their Master’s degrees; however, not all coursework credits are transferable.  The participating college or university will help each Fellow determine the best strategy for completing the credits required for the Master’s degree. Summer coursework may be required.


 
Cost to the Fellow
The New York City Department of Education subsidizes most of the costs of tuition for the Master’s program (excluding books and materials) at one of several partner universities. However, each Fellow is responsible for some portion of the Master’s degree tuition, and the amount will be deducted over time from the Fellow’s regular paycheck. Each Fellow in the June 2009 program is contributing $6,600 toward the cost of his/her Master’s degree. Please note that the contribution for June 2010 Fellows has not been finalized.
 
The NYC Department of Education takes its investment in Fellows’ continuing education and development very seriously, as reflected in its subsidy of the Master’s degree. Fellows must be active NYC DoE teachers in order to maintain enrollment in the subsidized Master’s program.
 
In addition to the Master’s in Education coursework, New York State teacher certification regulations require that all teachers have completed coursework in a range of liberal arts subjects.  While each university’s specific requirements vary, some Fellows may need to take additional coursework to fulfill a NYS required liberal arts core.  In addition, NY State requires that special education, childhood education (elementary) and ESL teachers have an undergraduate major or equivalent coursework in one of the liberal arts or sciences.  Fellows in one of these areas whose undergraduate major or degree is in a professional or applied field may be required to complete additional coursework to satisfy this liberal arts requirement. Any cost associated with additional coursework necessary to make up liberal arts credit deficits is the responsibility of the Fellow. However, Fellows in the past have been eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award after at least one full year of service, which can be used to pay for additional coursework.


Certification
As an alternate route program, the Fellowship accelerates the process of bringing new teachers to the classrooms that most need them. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows engage in a short, intensive pre-service training program, and are then eligible to teach full-time while completing other academic requirements.
 
While they are completing their Master’s degree, Fellows work under Transitional B certification, which is issued by New York State. The Transitional B certificate is valid for up to three years, so long as one maintains good standing as a Fellow.

Upon completion of the Master's degree and additional state requirements, Fellows may apply for further certification to continue their careers as teachers.