Teacher Certification

In order to hold an art and design teaching position in New York State, a candidate must be certified by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as having met requirements to teach art at a particular grade level. In New York City, a candidate is also required to hold a license (Visual Art K-12), issued by the NYC Department of Education. Our programs are designed to give our graduates the knowledge and preparation needed to meet the requirements of Initial Certification in Visual Art (K-12).

Certification Requirements

The following academic requirements must be fulfilled prior to graduation and/or making an application for the Initial Teaching Certificate. The courses may be taken at Pratt or transferred from another school.

• College course in Child/Adolescent Development (3 credits)
• College level foreign language (3 credits).
• Workshop in Child Abuse Prevention
• Workshop in Life Safety and Violence Prevention (previously Fire and Life Safety)
• Fingerprinting

You must get fingerprinted in order to be certified.  Apply and pay for fingerprinting online through TEACH and then go to 65 Court Street, Room 102, Brooklyn NY to be fingerprinted. Both fingerprinting processes cost about $115.00.

NYSED Examinations

***Important Information for Candidates Graduating May 2014 or after***

The NYSED anticipates that candidates applying for certification on or after May 1st, 2014 will be required to take certain new exams, please see details here.

Teaching Certification Exams (NYSTCE) are part of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements for initial state certification as a teacher of visual arts, Pre-K through HS. There are three required exams for New York State Teacher Certification in Visual Arts:

• Liberal Arts and Sciences Test
• Assessment of Teaching Skills–Written (Elementary or Secondary),
• Content Specialty Test-Visual Arts Content.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)

This exam has multiple-choice questions and a written assignment. Examinees are asked to demonstrate conceptual and analytical skills, as well as multicultural awareness. The test covers scientific, mathematical, and technological processes; historical and social scientific awareness; artistic expression and the humanities; communication and research skills; and written analysis and expression.

Elementary or Secondary Assessment of Teaching Skills- Written (ATS-W)

Upon completion of the Pratt ADE program, graduates are eligible to teach from the Pre-K-12th grade levels. However, you still need to take ONE of the two ATS-W exams to receive certification. You are NOT limited to teaching on the level for which you take the exam. Both exams are multiple-choice with a writing component. Each measures professional and pedagogical knowledge for the appropriate level.

Content Specialty Test (CST)

Students must take the CST in Visual Arts. The CST consists of multiple-choice questions and a writing component. This exam tests your knowledge of visual arts and processes, principles and elements of art and design, visual arts and culture, and aesthetic and interdisciplinary connections.

The LAST test should be taken NO LATER than three semesters before graduation. This allows time to re-take the test in case of a failing score (below 80%). Once a passing score is achieved, that score will count, no matter how early in your program it is taken. You can wait until early in the final year before graduation to take the other exams unless you feel that you will have problems.

The LAST, ATS-W, and CST each cost $79.

Visit the NYSTC website here for more information.

Institutional Recommendation

Complete the Institutional Recommendation Request (IRR) form and return it to the ADE Office in person or by mail along with an unofficial transcript from the Registrar's Office. Use your degree audit or your transcript to complete the Request Form. Make sure the transcript lists your DATE of GRADUATION in the upper right hand corner. If you completed your foreign language and/or child/adolescent development requirements at another institution, you must submit transcripts for those courses as well.

Obtain an Institutional Recommendation Request form  in the ADE office or download it here.

Application for Certification through TEACH

Complete the online application through NYSED at TEACH online services. Please self-report your education, teaching experience, and apply for an initial certificate as a classroom teacher of visual arts, K-12. You must pay a $50.00 fee to complete the application. Instructions for using TEACH online are available here.

Questions?

Students should direct questions about certification to the ADE office. When you are ready to graduate, you may email your IRR,  final transcripts, and proof of workshops to Jessica Masters, Assistant to the Chair, at jmasters@pratt.edu. Alternatively, you may mail your Institutional Request Form, your final transcript, and proof of BOTH workshops to:

Pratt Institute
Art and Design Education
c/o Jessica Masters
Steuben Hall 315
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205