- What is the deadline for applying?
- When is the program offered?
- How long will it take to complete the program?
- What is the field experience requirement of the program?
- What prerequisite courses are required?
- Can I apply and attend Canisius if I have prerequisites to be made up?
- Can I attend the program part-time?
- Will American Sign Language count for the Foreign Language requirement?
- How is the scheduling of classes done?
- What is the cost of tuition?
- Is a Bachelors degree required to begin the program?
- Can I apply if I am "In Progress" with my last semester of courses?
- Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
- What tests are required for certification?
- Is Financial Aid available?
- Is there a tuition payment plan?
- Is housing available?
- Can I take the CLEP tests to meet the prerequisite requirements?
More Frequently Asked Questions for Canadian Students
- Will I be able to teach in Ontario after completing the certification program?
- What are the Immigration requirements to attend?
- How do US college/university credit hours equate to credits in Canada?
- Will OAC courses count towards the prerequisite course requirements?
- Can Canadian students take online courses at Canisius for teacher certification?
There are no set deadlines for application. We operate on a rolling admissions basis. We recommend submitting all materials required for admission at least 30 days prior to the start date for the term you wish to begin. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow for the best scheduling options, since some course sections may close out if registering late. For Canadian students, we stop processing applications approximately two to three weeks prior to the beginning of classes, each semester, to allow sufficient time for processing immigration forms.
2. When is the program offered?
Canisius College has three terms per year: fall (late August), spring (January) and summer (May/June). You select your start date when you file your application. If you are unsure of your start date, select the earliest one that you are most likely to attend. Should you be accepted and wish to change your start date to a later term, simply inform the office of your new start date in writing and the change will be noted on your file.
Courses in the graduate programs are offered Monday through Friday late afternoon/evening with a some courses offered on Saturday.
During the summers, Canisius College has two five week sessions offered from the middle of May to the beginning of August. Courses meet two times per week on a Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday schedule. A few courses overlapping with the Childhood Education program are offered on Friday evening and Saturday.
Some courses are offered online, allowing additional flexibility in scheduling for US students. Canadian students are not permitted by the Ontario College of Teachers to take online courses toward teacher certification requirements. Canadian students may take online courses toward master's degree course requirements.
3. How long will it take to complete the program?
Teachers certified in special education can complete the masters program in 39 credit hours.
Teachers with initial certification in another area (childhood/adolescence) can complete the program in 45 credit hours.
Candidates without initial teacher certification can complete the program, including additional requirements for initial certification, in 60 credit hours.
4. What is the field experience requirement of the program?
Prior to student teaching, all students are required to complete a course titled "Professional Seminar and Practicum." This course requires 50 hours of field experience for candidates seeking initial certification, 20 hours for teachers certified in another area, and is not required for special education teachers (they will substitute an additional teaching methods course).
Student teaching for candidates seeking initial certification consists of two seven week supervised teaching placements (12 credit hours). Teachers certified in another area must complete one student teaching placement (6 credit hours). Teachers certified in special education are exempt from the student teaching requirement.
5. What prerequisite courses are required?
Candidates without initial certification must meet requirements in an area of concentration (childhood or adolescence).
Childhood education requires 6 credit hours in each of the following areas: math, science, English, and social studies. Three (3) credit hours in foreign language is also required.
Adolescence Education requires 36 credit hours in one of the disciplines: English, mathematics, science*, social studies**, French, German, or Spanish. Additionally completion three (3) credit hours in a foreign language is required.
*The 36 credit hours in science must include at least 30 semester credit hours in biology, chemistry or physics.
**Social Studies requires 51 credit hours in related course work. Eighteen (18) of those hours must be in history and at least 3 credit hours in geography. Economics, political science, geography, sociology, psychology, philosophy, government, anthropology or history can be used to fulfill the remaining credit requirement.
Business and Physical Education teachers are currently not eligible for special education certification.
6. Can I apply and attend Canisius if I have prerequisites to be made up?
Yes, but all prerequisites should be completed prior to student teaching.
7. Can I attend the program part-time?
You can attend our programs on a full or part time basis.
8. Will American Sign Language count for the Foreign Language requirement?
Yes, you must complete 3 credit hours of American Sign Language.
9. How is the scheduling of classes done?
All scheduling/registration of classes is done online using the Canisius Web and can be accessed by clicking here. From this page, you can login to register or click on "Class Schedule" to view the schedules for previous, current, and some future semesters.
You can access this link from the Canisius home page by clicking on: "current students", then click on: "Online Registration, tuition payments, check your grades", then choose "Login" to register or "Class Schedule" to view posted schedules.
10. What is the cost of tuition for all programs?
The cost of tuition for School Year 2007-2008 is $651 per credit hour. The rates for the school year are effective May 13. Canadian students receive a 20% discount. The discounted cost for Canadian students is $521 (US funds) per credit hour which is guaranteed for two years from entry into the program.
11. Is a bachelor's degree required to begin the program?
Yes, a bachelor's degree is required to start graduate programs. For Canadian students, it may be a three year or four year degree. Three year bachelor's degree candidates must complete the masters program at Canisius before they are eligible to submit the request for certification to the NY State Department of Education.
12. Can I apply if I am "In Progress" with my last semester of courses?
You can apply during your final semester as an undergraduate. However, you will be accepted provisionally until you supply us with an official transcript that posts your degree.
13. Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
Effective May 2006, the GRE is no longer an admissions requirement for applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher. Applications for candidates with less than a 2.7 cumulative GPA will be reviewed by the program director for an admissions decision and may include additional requirements (e.g., personal interview, GRE, etc.)
For more information about the GRE and test scheduling in Buffalo, call the Thomson Prometric Center at 716-565-0570. They are located at 4927 Main St. (Snyder Place Plaza), Amherst, NY 14225 or go to www.prometric.com
In Canada, for information and test scheduling call 1-800-967-1100 or go to www.prometric.com.
For general inquiries, call 866-473-4373 or go to www.gre.org
14. What tests are required for certification?
Applicants for certification must pass the Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching-Skills-Written (ATS-W) and Content Specialty Test (CST).
15. Where can I get information about Financial Aid?
Click herefor information regarding financing graduate school.
You may also contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance in financing your education at Canisius by calling 716-888-2300 or 800-541-6348 (toll-free).
The source of financial aid available for Canadian students is The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). For more information visit their web site at http://osap.gov.on.ca.
16. Is there a tuition payment plan?
Yes, the college has payment plans. For more information, contact the Student Accounts Office at (716) 888-2801.
17. Is housing available?
Campus housing for graduate students is based on space available. Contact the Office of Residence Life at 716-888-8300 for more information, including availability.
18. Can I take the CLEP tests to meet the prerequisite requirements?
Yes, students can take examinations sponsored by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) or by the New York State College Proficiency Examination Program (CPE). Students must consult with the appropriate dean for permission to use any credit by examination toward their graduate degree or certificate requirements.
More Frequently Asked Questions for Canadian Students:
19. Will I be able to teach in Ontario after completing the certification program?
Yes, we have been preparing teachers for certification in Canada for 15 years. Beginning 1 March 2007, once requirements are complete, Canadian students will apply to the New York State Department of Education for certification . New York State will then pass certification information to the Ontario College of Teachers to issue the appropriate certification in Ontario.
20. What are the Immigration requirements to attend?
In order to attend Canisius College, Canadian students must receive a Certificate of Visa Eligibility (Form I-20). This form is issued by Canisius College after the student has submitted proof of his/her ability to meet all educational and living expenses for the entire period of study. The student must provide this proof by filling out the Canisius College International Student Certification of Finances form, which includes a budget worksheet to help the student determine the total educational expenses. This form must have enough funds (in US dollars) and verified to cover the full amount of the student's educational and living expenses. This form must be submitted to the Graduate Education Office. After it is processed, the college will mail the I-20 form directly to the student.
21. How do US college/university credit hours equate to credits in Canada?
3 credit hours=1 half year course
6 credit hours=1 full year course
22. Will OAC courses count toward the prerequisite course requirements?
Yes, OAC and grade 13 can be used as prerequisite course requirements for Canadian students.
23. Can Canadian students take online courses at Canisius for teacher certification?
Yes. The Ontario College of Teachers recently relaxed their rules and now allow a portion of a teacher certification program to be taken online.