New York State provides several pathways for teacher certification, allowing educators to expand their qualifications. One such pathway is the: "Individual Evaluation for Additional Certificate Pathway". This option is available to teachers who already hold a valid New York State Teaching Certificate and have earned a Master's degree but wish to pursue additional certifications. The "Individual Evaluation Pathway" requires candidates to meet certain Content Core and Pedagogical Core requirements, which include coursework that aligns with the content area in which they seek certification. In addition, they must fulfill any non-coursework requirements as the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) and obtaining fingerprint clearance. For teachers who already hold a valid base certificate in grades 7-12, there is the opportunity to extend their certification to cover middle school grades 5-6. This is particularly valuable for those looking to broaden their teaching range within middle schools. Teachers can apply for the Grades 5-6 Extension in specific content area, such as: Biology 5-6, ELA 5-6, Mathematics 5-6, Spanish 5-6, or Social Studies 5-6.
This extension is ideal for educators who are certified in grades 7-12 and want to support a smother transition for students as they move through middle school. The 5-6 extension ensures students receive instruction from highly qualified educators who are equipped with both content knowledge and pedagogical skills tailored to younger learners.
By expanding their certification through the Individual Evaluation Pathway and earning the 5-6 extension, teachers can enhance their versatility and value in New York State's education system.
The following are the course requirements for the Individual Pathway for the Grades 5-6 Extension:
Pathway: Individual Evaluation
· Existing Valid Base NYSED Certification
· College Coursework - Middle Childhood Education - 6 S.H.
College Coursework - Early Adolescent Development
College Coursework - Instructional Strategies in Middle Childhood Education
· Workshop - Child Abuse Identification
· Workshop - School Violence Intervention and Prevention
· Workshop - Dignity For All Students Act
· Fingerprint Clearance
The following courses are offered at Molloy meet the Middle Childhood Education requirements:
EDU 5270, Strategies and Techniques for Teaching Middle School Students In Inclusive Classrooms
(meets 3 of the 6 credits required in Middle Childhood Education)
EDU 5272 Psychological, Social and Special Needs Of Adolescents
(meets 3 of the 6 credits required in Middle Childhood Education)
Spring 2025 Institutes Schedule of Classes
Registration for the Spring Institutes will begin on October 28, 2024
Molloy's online admission/registration system is called Lion's Den. The Lion's Den web page for Professional Studies courses can be found at: https://lionsden.molloy.edu/ICS/Professional_Studies/
Please note: when you search for the term please select "2025 Spring Institute" as the term in the drop down. If you put in the term "2025 spring" it will include the non-discounted courses that you are not eligible to take.
1/13/25-5/09/25
EDU 5270-02 Strat & Tech-Tchng Mid Sch/Inclusiv, JoAnne Pellettieri, hybrid, W 5:25-7:35pm
EDU 5272-02 Psych, Social&Special Needs Assessment, Mubina Schroeder, hybrid, W 7:45-9:55pm
How many courses do you need to become certified?
Most teachers may have courses in their background that would satisfy some of the course requirements. The only definitive answer about how many courses that you may need must come from NY State. We suggest looking at the courses that you have taken to see if any of those courses are similar to what is required by NYS. If any course that you've taken sounds similar, we would suggest holding off taking that course or courses until you receive the official notification from NYS.
To have your credentials evaluated by NYS visit the NYS Office of Teaching Initiatives and file for certification for Middle School Childhood Extension 5-6 to find out which courses that you have taken before may qualify. Do this as soon as possible - even before you enroll in any courses! There is a $100 fee to apply teacher certification, but once you've paid the fee you do not have to pay it again as long as you complete the process within three years and do not ask for more than two evaluations. Click here for detailed instructions on applying for certification.
Course Schedule and Modality
Hybrid asynchronous courses combine traditional on-site meeting with asynchronous/online distance learning.
Online asynchronous course content is delivered online with no required virtual or instructional site meetings. The course has a start date and an end date, but no set time you must log on to the course. You must log on to Canvas on the first day of class and continue to do so on a regular basis to complete assignments and participate in discussions in the time allotted by the professor.
Online mixed course content is delivered online with scheduled virtual meetings combined with asynchronous learning activities. Synchronous live meetings will be communicated in the syllabus.
The fall schedule is posted on the website in May. The spring schedule is posted in October. The summer schedule is posted in February.
The courses will be taught using an online platform at Molloy called Canvas. Please see the "Canvas" link under the "explore" column for details on Canvas.
Practicum, Field study, Observations or Student Teaching
Under this pathway you are not required to do a practicum, field study, observations or student teaching. NYS does not require teachers who are NYS certified to complete student teaching again when they are applying for additional certification.
Tuition
The tuition is discounted to $945 per course. There are no application or course fees. This is a discounted tuition rate. Tuition is normally about $4,000 per 3-credit graduate course. The tuition is off-set by a professional development scholarship that is given to those teachers who already possess a master's degree and are not pursuing a master's degree with Molloy University. There are no other discounts given. Students and teachers who are pursuing a master's degree at Molloy University are not eligible to enroll in this program at the discounted rate.
Admission and Registration Procedure
The program does not have traditional deadline dates because courses are offered throughout the year and they do not follow a semester schedule. There are no defined overall start and end dates for the program. Therefore, you can apply to the program at any time. The registration process is rather simple because you are not applying for a Molloy degree. There is an online application that you need to complete, but that is for information purposes only. Everyone is accepted as long as you are a NYS certified teacher. There is no application fee and GREs are not required. If you are enrolling in the program for the first time, there is a combined application/registration form that you will complete online. Once you register for the first time you will be sent an email within one to two business days with your username to login your student account to access the system for future registrations and to access Canvas, our online learning platform.
You should register at least a week before the course start date at the latest in order to register for the first time. After that you can register up until the day before the class, but then you run the risk that a course could be full.
All registrations for courses are conducted online. Click here for the application/registration procedures. The online registration process differs if you are a continuing student or if you are a new student.
Quick Links
Questions? Email us below:
Director, Center for Professional Studies: Krista Lombardo at klombardo@molloy.edu
Middle School Extension Coordinator: Mubina Schroeder, Ph.D, mschroeder@molloy.edu
