Forms, information for prospective student-athletes.
Applying for Initial Teacher Certification
The Initial Certificate is the entry-level certificate for classroom teachers, issued in specific subject/grade titles. To be eligible for Initial Certification you must:
1. successfully complete your specific program,
2. successfully complete all required NYSED certification tests,
3. have your fingerprints on file,
4. complete the teacher certification application process and submit all necessary documents through the TEACH system.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has instituted an on-line application process for teacher certification. You will use this form, along with the other forms mentioned below, to help you in the application process. Please note, as of February 1, 2010, TEACH is no longer issuing PAPER certificates for Initial and Provisional certificates. Teachers and school districts will need to use the TEACH system to verify these certificates.
Two Important Steps:
1. Upon verified completion of your program, you will receive a copy of SUNY Oswego's Teacher Certification Authorization Form. You will need to fill this out and return it to SUNY Oswego's Registrar's Office. This authorizes Oswego to report your information to NYSED. Legally, we can't report this information without your permission.
2. In addition, you will need to apply online for teacher certification to fully complete the process. You do not need to wait to pass all of your certification tests before applying - you may apply once you are in your final semester.
General Information:
You should print the TEACH Application Information Sheet with details about the on-line certification system and use it as a reference when using NYSED's on-line application system. Please read the instructions PRIOR to applying online. Additional information is provided by NYSED at this website. We highly suggest you use the TEACH online tutorial before starting your actual online application. You can fill in the blanks with information available from the unofficial transcript you will receive with your diploma, as well as the instructions provided with the Application Information Sheet.
The Award Title and Program Titles/Codes form includes program codes you will need for the application, including concentration titles. Listed below are important dates that may help you when you are using NYSED's on-line system:
Semester Start Dates:
| Spring | Summer | Fall | |
| 2007 - | 01/25 | 05/29 | 08/30 |
| 2008 - | 01/24 | 05/26 | 08/27 |
| 2009 - | 01/22 | 05/26 | 08/31 |
| 2010 - | 01/25 | 05/24 | 08/30 |
| 2011 - | 01/24 | 05/23 | 08/29 |
| 2012 - | 01/23 | 05/21 | 08/27 |
| 2013 - | 01/28 | 05/28 | 08/26 |
| 2014 - | 01/27 | 05/27 | 08/25 |
| 2015 - | 01/26 | 05/26 | 08/24 |
| 2016 - | 01/25 | 05/23 | TBA |
DEGREE AWARDED DATES:
| Spring | Summer | Fall | |
| 2012 - | 05/12 | 08/10 | 12/15 |
| 2013 - | 05/18 | 08/16 | 12/14 |
| 2014 - | 05/17 | 08/15 | 12/13 |
| 2015 - | 05/15 | 08/14 | 12/12 |
| 2016 - | 05/14 | 08/12 |
IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATON IN ANY AREA ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2014 or COMPLETING AN APPROVED TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM AFTER APRIL 30, 2014 (INCLUDES ALL MAY 2014 GRADUATES), YOU MUST COMPLETE THE NEW BATTERY OF TEACHER ASSESSMENTS (ALST, EAS, CST-revised, edTPA) TO COMPLETE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS. GO TO THIS PAGE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE ASSESSMENTS.
Questions about your certification?
Undergraduate students, please contact:
Shelly St. John, Certification Officer
SUNY Oswego Registrar's Office
(315)312-2275
Graduate students,please contact:
Vicki Vescio in the Graduate Office
(315)312-3692
If we are unable to answer your questions you may contact the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives at tcert@mail.nysed.gov, call the Tech Helpline at (518)486-6041, or fax TEACH at (518)474-6950, or use the link on the website's main page entitled "Report Problems Using TEACH."