32–36 Credits | For Initially Certified Science Teachers

Designed for candidates with an undergraduate science major or equivalent preparation who hold, or are eligible for, initial teaching certification.

This pathway builds upon your existing qualifications through advanced science coursework, instructional methods, curriculum development, and educational research.

Program Highlights

• Advanced science content and teaching methods

• Curriculum and instructional development

• Educational research and culminating projects

• Opportunities to strengthen classroom practice

Is this pathway right for you? Ideal for science educators seeking to deepen their expertise and advance their professional preparation.

42–48 Credits | Initial Science Teaching Certification

Designed for candidates with an undergraduate science major or qualifying science coursework who have not previously completed professional education coursework.

This comprehensive pathway prepares future science educators through foundations of education, science teaching methods, curriculum and instruction, educational research, and supervised student teaching.

Program Highlights

• Foundations of teaching and learning

• Innovative science teaching methods

• Inclusive classroom instruction

• Supervised student teaching and professional preparation

• Graduate science coursework

Is this pathway right for you? Ideal for science graduates and career changers who want to become certified middle or high school science teachers.

35 Credits | Initial Science Teaching Certification

Designed for candidates with an undergraduate science major who have previously completed an education minor or equivalent coursework and are seeking initial certification.

This pathway recognizes your previous education preparation while providing advanced science teaching methods, curriculum development, educational research, and supervised student teaching experiences.

Program Highlights

• Builds on prior education coursework

• Science curriculum and instructional methods

• Educational technology and informal science learning

• Supervised student teaching

• Research and graduate science coursework

Is this pathway right for you? Ideal for science graduates who have already completed qualifying education coursework and want to continue toward teaching certification.

43–45 Credits | Dual Certification

Designed for candidates with an undergraduate science major and no previous secondary education coursework who are seeking dual certification in Science Education (Grades 7–12) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 7–12 Generalist).

This pathway combines science teaching methods with specialized preparation in inclusive education, adolescent development, differentiated instruction, and classroom practice.

Program Highlights

• Science Education and Special Education preparation

• Inclusive and culturally responsive teaching

• Adolescent development and learning differences

• Curriculum design for diverse learners

• Supervised teaching experiences in inclusive classrooms

Is this pathway right for you? Ideal for future science educators who want to support diverse learners and create accessible, engaging science classrooms.

46–48 Credits | Residency Program

Designed for eligible residency candidates with an undergraduate science major and no previous secondary education coursework who are pursuing dual certification in Science Education (Grades 7–12) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 7–12 Generalist).

This pathway combines graduate coursework in science education and inclusive teaching with clinical preparation through the residency program.

Program Highlights

• Residency-based teacher preparation

• Dual certification in science and special education

• Inclusive instructional practices

• Science curriculum development

• Supervised classroom experiences

Is this pathway right for you? Ideal for eligible candidates interested in a residency pathway that integrates graduate study with classroom-based preparation.

• To be eligible for fall admission, complete the application by April 15 (with supporting documentation by May 15). 

  To be eligible for spring admission, complete the application by November 15 (with supporting documentation by December 15).  

  Apply here. 

CUNY offers highly competitive tuition rates here. 

Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic credential. To graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines. Always check the academic calendar here. 

The MSED Science Education program leads to New York State certification in grades 7-12 Science and an option to include Students with Disabilities. Students should visit the certification webpage here for more information and contact information. 

New York State requires a minimum of 100 field hours of observations and participation before entering the final semester of student/internship teaching. The field hours will be attached to most of the courses as you move through the program. Candidates must arrange for background checks and fingerprinting before beginning the program.  

In the semester before the last semester of the program, candidates will apply for student or internship teaching. The application deadline for a fall placement is April 1. The application deadline for a spring placement is November 1. 

Please visit The Clinical Practice & Partnership webpage for information related to fingerprinting, field hours, and student/internship teaching. 

Internship Certificate 

New York State allows master’s program candidates in an Initial Certification program (SST-MA) to seek fulltime employment as a teacher-of-record after completing at least one-half of the credits in the program. If you are interested, talk to the adviser about entering the profession while completing the second half of the program. 

Types of Certifications 

Students are recommended for both initial and professional certification in SST-MA and for the professional certification in SSTPRF-MA: 

• The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate and is valid for five years. Students who graduate from a Lehman College master’s degree certification program without prior certification will be recommended for initial certification. 

• The Professional Certificate is an advanced certificate. Once teachers have completed three years of full-time, paid teaching experience including one year of mentored teaching, they can apply for professional certification.