- What is the deadline for applying?
- When is the program offered?
- If I want to continue beyond certification to get my masters in Adolescence Education, how long will it take me?
- 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?
- How quickly can I complete the program?
- 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 for the teacher certification program?
- 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?
1. What is the deadline for applying?
We operate on a rolling admissions basis with no set deadlines. We evaluate applications when complete and normally make a decision within one week. We recommend submitting all materials required for admission at least 30 days prior to the start date for the term you wish to begin. 60 days prior to the start date is a better target for Canadian and other international students. 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 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 start date will be changed.
During the fall and spring semesters, courses in the graduate programs are offered Monday through Friday, primarily in the late afternoon/evening with some courses offered on Saturday. Classes in Adolescence Education can be scheduled on a two day per week program (Monday-Tuesday) with the exception of EDAD 572, which requires 100 hours of field experience in a secondary classroom. This may necessitate a stay over in the Buffalo/Ft. Erie area on Monday night depending on your travel distance from the campus. The two day program allows completion of certification requirements in 3 semesters. An additional semester will be needed to complete the 3 remaining courses needed for the master's degree.
During the summer, Canisius College has two five week sessions offered from the middle of May to the beginning of August. During the summer, 5 courses can be taken on the Monday-Tuesday schedule with 3 courses offered during the first 5 week session and 2 courses offered during the second 5 week session. A few courses overlapping with the Childhood Education program are offered on Friday and Saturday during the summer term.
Three of the required certification courses are offered online, allowing additional flexibility in scheduling. Note: Canadian students are now permitted by the Ontario College of Teachers to take online courses toward teacher certification requirements.
For more information on scheduling, view our scheduling fact sheet for Summer 2008 and Fall 2008 (.pdf) for adolescence education.
3. If I want to continue beyond certification to get my master's in Adolescence Education, how long will it take me?
Since all course work is taught at the master’s level, once you complete certification requirements, you only need three additional courses (9 credits) to receive a master's degree. Many of our students come back after their first year of teaching and complete the master's during the summer term.
4. What is the field experience requirement of the program?
Prior to student teaching, all students are required to complete a course titled "Seminar in Teaching and Assessment." This course requires 100 hours of field experience. Student teaching consists of a minimum of two seven week supervised teaching placements in schools appropriate to certification level and major teaching discipline. The field experience can be completed in Canada for Canadian students.
5. What prerequisite courses are required?
Evidence of successful completion of 36 College/University level semester credit hours or 6 full courses in one of the disciplines: English, mathematics, social studies, French, German, Spanish, science or business.
The 36 semester credit hours in science must include at least 30 semester credit hours in biology, chemistry or physics.
Social Studies requires 51 semester 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 (all grades) for the Canadians requires 15 of the 36 semester credit hours in: accounting, data processing, information management or marketing and merchandising. This is in accordance with Ontario requirements.
Evidence of completion three (3) College/University credit hours or a half year course in a foreign language. NY State Regents credit or three years of non regents with a grade of "B" or better average is acceptable. OAC/Grade 13 is accepted for Canadian students.
6. Can I apply and attend Canisius if I have prerequisites to be made up?
Yes, but all prerequisites should be completed prior to your student teaching semester.
7. How quickly can I complete the program?
You can complete certification in as few as three semesters, which includes the summer sessions. However, summer may not be used for student teaching.
8. Can I attend the program part-time?
You can attend our programs on a full or part time basis.
9. Will American Sign Language count for the Foreign Language requirement?
Yes, you must complete 3 credit hours of American Sign Language.
10. 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. You can then login to register or click on "Class Schedule" to view schedules for current, previous and some future semesters.
You can access this link from the Canisius home page by clicking on: "current students", then click on: "Online registration/check your grades/view your 1098-T", then choose "Login" to register or "Class Schedule" to view posted schedules.
For more information on scheduling, view our scheduling fact sheet for Summer 2008 and Fall 2008 (.pdf) for adolescence education.
11. What is the cost of tuition for all programs?
The cost of tuition for the 2008-2009 School Year is $667 per credit hour. Canadian students receive a 20% discount. The discounted cost for Canadian students is $534 (US funds) per credit hour which is guaranteed for two years from entry into the program.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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 appropriate 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
15. What tests are required for certification?
Applicants for certification must pass the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching-Skills-Written (ATS-W) and Content Specialty Test (CST).
16. 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.
17. Is there a tuition payment plan?
Yes, the college has payment plans. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (716) 888-2300.
18. Is housing available?
Housing for graduate students is based on space available. Some rooms may be available on a nightly basis. Many Canadian students and other commuters stay overnight in local hotels as needed. Contact the Office of Residence Life at 716-888-83000 for more information, including availability.
19. 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:
20. 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.
21. 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) listed 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.
22. 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
23. Will OAC courses count toward the prerequisite course requirements?
Yes, OAC and grade 13 can be used as prerequisite course requirements for Canadian students.
24. Can Canadian students take online courses at Canisius for teacher certification?
Yes. Canadian students are now (effective summer 2007) permitted by the Ontario College of Teachers to take online courses toward teacher certification requirements.