New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) series

  1. Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)

    Take This Test: Sophomore or beginning of junior year, after completion of most of the basic liberal art and sciences courses (general education classes).

  2. Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W)

    There are two versions of the ATS-W: elementary and secondary. (Candidates for K-12 art certificate may select either version and we do not have a recommendation as to which to take.)

    Take This Test: AED majors are encouraged to take the ATS-W while enrolled in AED302W. If you do not achieve a passing score, you will then have your student teaching semester to re-take the ATS-W prior to your job search.

  3. Content Specialty Test (CST) - Visual Arts

    Take This Test: End of junior year when you have completed the majority of your studios and all art history courses.

  4. EdTPA

    Take This Test: This test is conducted during the student teaching experience and involves videotaping one’s teaching and writing a narrative analysis. 

A Note About NSTCE Tests

Scheduling: NYSTCE tests are scheduled across New York State four or five times each year. Please obtain a NYSTCE Registration Bulletin from the department office, the Teacher Certification Office, or the Career Development Center. 

Preparation Guides: A preparation guide is available for each test in the NYSTCE program. Preparation Guides can be purchased at bookstores, or can be viewed or downloaded (at no charge) at nystce.nesinc.com. Each preparation guide contains information about the tests, test objectives, and sample questions.

Teacher Certification Office

Career Development Center

NYSTCE

Required Workshops and Seminars

  1. Child Abuse Identification*

  2. S.A.V.E (School Anti-Violence Education Workshop)**

  3. Drug and Alcohol Awareness Seminar**

  4. Fire and Arson Safety Seminar**

  5. Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention Workshop (DASA)**

Attending Workshops & Seminars

*Take This Workshop (1):
In person, off campus: Call your local BOCES office.
Online: www.nysna.org

**Take These Seminars (2, 3, 4, 5): 
On campus: Call the Continuing Professional Studies Office at (716) 878-5907.
Off campus: Call your local BOCES office.

Forms Needed
Registration forms are available in the department office (Upton Hall 402) or in the Continuing Professional Studies Office (Cleveland Hall 210).