Institutional Recommendation Process for New York State Certification
Upon the completion of a New York State-registered education program at Hofstra University, the institution is able to recommend individuals to the State Education Department for certificates as teachers of various grade levels, pupil service personnel and school administrators.
The recommendation process is initiated by the prospective graduate who submits a completed request for institutional recommendation to the Certification and Educational Support Services Office during the semester of anticipated graduation.
Requests are processed according to “Recommendation Groups” and are submitted to the State following each graduating period, e.g., May, August, December and January.
| Graduation Date | Request Due Date |
|---|---|
| May 31st | April 1st |
| August 31st | July 1st |
| December 31st | November 1st |
| January 31st | January 1st |
REQUIRED SEMINARS
The following seminars are required in order to complete you degree requirements at Hofstra University:
- Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
- Fire and Arson Prevention
- Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Abuse
- School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE)
- Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction
The Certification and Educational Support Services office will present these seminars each semester. Registration information is located at 129 Hagedorn Hall.
FINGERPRINTING REQUIREMENTS
Candidates applying for certification on or after July 1, 2001, must be cleared by the New York State Education Department through a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check.
In order to expedite your fingerprint clearance please go the New York State Education website at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert. You must create an account with TEACH ONLINE SERVICES.
Apply Online for Fingerprint Clearance and Make Payment:
Enter your personal information on the online fingerprint application. Pay the $94.25 fee with a credit card. If you are not paying with credit card you must print out a payment coupon. You will need a printer available to complete the payment process.
Hofstra University will hold fingerprinting sessions in both the fall and spring semesters. Please bring credit card confirmation or payment coupon with $94.25 certified check, bank check, money order payable to NYS Education Dept. Personal checks will not be accepted. If attending a Hofstra University fingerprinting session, an additional fee is needed to process an applicant’s fingerprints. This is a mandatory fee for Hofstra’s service.