English Education
EVERY VOICE HAS A STORY. GREAT TEACHERS HELP IT FIND ITS POWER.
Welcome to all those interested in learning more about the English education program at Lehman College. Our paramount goal is the preparation and support of local teachers and teacher candidates who in turn prepare their own current and future learners to be creative, literate participants in increasingly complex, diverse, and evolving global and local communities. Our program offers in-depth courses in both traditional and contemporary methodologies and curriculum design, as well as the opportunity to practice and reflect upon these theoretical approaches through challenging and rewarding mentored fieldwork. In addition, our relationship with Lehman’s English department and faculty provides students with an opportunity to supplement their knowledge of pedagogy with graduate-level studies in literature, literary theory, and composition studies.
Inspire readers. Empower writers. Amplify voices.
EXPLORE OUR GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Prepare to teach English Language Arts in grades 7–12 through graduate pathways for aspiring and certified educators, including options for dual certification in special education.
Five program sequences
English Education (Advanced Cert.)
Already hold a master's degree in English or a related field? Pursue New York State English Education certification through focused graduate study in teaching, literature, writing, and classroom practice.
26–27-credit certificate
FIND YOUR PATH IN ENGLISH EDUCATION
Whether you're beginning your teaching career, building on your experience as a certified educator, or preparing to teach in inclusive classrooms, Lehman College offers graduate pathways that support your professional goals.
Turn your passion for literature, language, and writing into a teaching career through pathways leading to initial certification.
Sequences 2 & 3
Deepen your expertise in literature, writing, and English instruction through advanced study designed for certified educators.
Sequence 1
Prepare to teach English Language Arts and support students with disabilities in grades 7–12 through inclusive education pathways.
Sequences 4 & 5
EXPLORE OUR M.S.ED. PATHWAYS
Your journey into English Education begins with your academic background, teaching experience, and certification goals. Whether you're already a certified teacher, preparing to enter the profession, or pursuing dual certification in special education, Lehman College offers five graduate pathways to support your professional growth. Explore the sequences below to discover which option best fits your goals.
English Content Intensive for Certified Teachers
Designed for educators who already hold New York State certification in English Education, grades 7–12. This pathway deepens expertise in literature, writing, language, and instructional practice through graduate coursework and a master's project.
Best suited for: Teachers already certified in English Education 7–12.
Undergraduate Education Minor Option
Designed for candidates who completed an undergraduate education minor meeting New York State core requirements but have not yet earned teacher certification. This pathway builds on prior preparation through advanced English teaching methods, electives, and supervised classroom experience.
Best suited for: English graduates with qualifying undergraduate education coursework seeking initial certification.
English Undergraduate Major Option
Designed for English graduates who have not completed professional education coursework. This pathway integrates educational foundations, literacy development, English teaching methods, and supervised classroom experiences to prepare candidates for initial certification.Best suited for: English majors entering the teaching profession without prior education coursework.
Dual Certification: English Language Arts and Students with Disabilities Generalist, Grades 7–12
Prepare for initial certification in both English Language Arts Education and Students with Disabilities Generalist, grades 7–12. Coursework integrates literacy instruction, inclusive pedagogy, adolescent development, and supervised teaching in diverse classrooms.
Best suited for: English graduates seeking dual certification in English Language Arts and special education.
Residency Program: Dual Certification in English Language Arts and Students with Disabilities Generalist, Grades 7–12
Designed for eligible candidates pursuing dual certification through the residency pathway. This sequence combines English teaching methods, special education foundations, and supervised classroom experiences focused on inclusive secondary education.
Best suited for: Eligible English graduates pursuing the dual-certification residency pathway.
INTERESTED IN BEGINNING YOUR TEACHING JOURNEY AS AN UNDERGRADUATE?
If you're currently pursuing or considering a bachelor's degree, Lehman College also offers an undergraduate pathway to New York State teacher certification through the Adolescent Teacher Education B.A.
Explore undergraduate teacher preparation options and learn how you can begin working toward becoming a certified teacher while completing your bachelor's degree.
NOT SURE WHICH PATHWAY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choosing the right English Education pathway depends on your academic background, previous coursework, and certification goals. Our faculty can help you review your qualifications, explore your options, and identify the pathway that best supports your teaching aspirations.
Connect With a Program Coordinator:
Dr. Lizette Aquilar
WHY CHOOSE LEHMAN?
WHERE LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, AND LEARNING COME TO LIFE
At Lehman College, English Education is about more than teaching reading and writing. Our graduate programs prepare educators to cultivate critical thinking, inspire meaningful engagement with literature, and empower students to express themselves with confidence. Through specialized coursework and meaningful classroom experiences, future and practicing teachers develop the skills to foster literacy and learning in diverse classrooms.
The Power of Language & Literature
Explore approaches to teaching reading, writing, literature, and language that deepen understanding, inspire critical thinking, and amplify student voices.
Theory Meets Classroom Practice
Connect advanced study in English Education with practical teaching strategies, meaningful classroom experiences, and the guidance of experienced faculty.
Develop inclusive approaches to reading, writing, and communication that embrace diverse perspectives and support students with varied learning needs.
-
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 English Education program leads to New York State certification in grades 7-12 English Education 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.
From the Program Coordinator
Assistant Professor, Graduate Program in English Education, Middle & High School Education
