SWD Certification Extensions

While the best pathway to obtain full K–12 SWD certification remains the primary route, this extension pathway continues to serve educators seeking to meet ongoing certification needs in New York State.

Please visit the NYSED website for complete details regarding these certification changes.

Teacher Centers are the ONLY approved providers of the certification extension courses listed below. For a current listing of extension courses, please click here.

SWD Grade Level Extensions:

In response to the growing shortage of certified SWD teachers, the NYS Board of Regents approved a new certification pathway to extend an educator’s existing SWD certification to additional grade bands. Each 45-hour CTLE-approved course includes three 15-hour subsets:

• Knowledge of Students

• Instructional Strategies

• Professional Practice

Courses are delivered in five 3-hour sessions per subset. Teachers who successfully complete the 45-hour course and meet teaching experience requirements are eligible to apply for certification extensions through NYSED.

Course Offerings:

Early Childhood (Pre-K–K)

Prerequisites: SWD 1–6 certification & 3+ years of experience teaching 1st and/or 2nd grade.

Middle School (Grades 5–6 and 7–8)

Prerequisites: SWD 1–6 certification & 3+ years of experience in grades 5 or 6 OR SWD 7–12 certification & 3+ years of experience in grades 7 or 8.

High School (Grades 10–12)

Prerequisites: SWD 5–9 certification & 3+ years of experience teaching 8th and/or 9th grade.

Please review the NYSUT FACT Sheet to determine your eligibility.

SWD Subject Area Extensions (SOCE-Aligned):

Effective July 1, 2021, SWD teachers in grades 7–12 who teach special classes in subject-specific areas must: Be certified in each subject area they teach, OR meet experience requirements for the Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) and have an active SOCE application in TEACH.

Teacher Centers have been approved to offer 45-hour CTLE courses in ELA, Math, and Biology to support these certification requirements.

Subject Area Course Descriptions:

English Language Arts (ELA)

Focuses on reading, writing, listening, and speaking at the secondary level. Content aligns with the NYS Content Specialty Test (CST) in ELA and the NYS Next Generation ELA Standards.

Mathematics

Builds content knowledge and pedagogical practices aligned with the CST in Mathematics (2018). Emphasis on foundational math skills and application of content to secondary instruction.

Biology

Deepens understanding of biological systems and processes, aligned with the CST in Biology and Next Generation Science Standards. Includes integration of literacy and math skills used in science instruction.

Each subject-area course includes self-assessments, analysis of standards, targeted instructional strategies, and guidance from content specialists.

Please note: This webpage is regularly updated. If you're viewing this for course information, we encourage you to revisit the page often, as new course offerings will be posted as they become available.

CURRENT OFFERINGS:

NYSTC Students with Disabilities Certification Extension Grades 3-4

Dates: 10/19/26 - 12/7/26 

Instructor: Megan Lantina 

Asynchronous & Synchronous 

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has approved a certification pathway to help address the growing shortage of certified special education teachers across New York. Certified Special Educators who currently hold a New York State Students with Disabilities (Birth–Grade 2) certification and wish to extend their certification to include Grades 3–4 are invited to enroll in a focused three-course series consisting of:

• Knowledge of Students (15 hours) 

• Instructional Strategies (15 hours)

• Professional Practice (15 hours)

Collectively, these 45 hours meet NYSED Special Education CTLE requirements for extending an existing Students with Disabilities certification. Teachers who complete the 45-hour program and meet the required teaching experience criteria will be eligible to apply for the certification extension through NYSED. Prerequisites for enrollment include holding a NYS Students with Disabilities (Birth–Grade 2) certification and having a minimum of three years of experience teaching Grade 1 and/or Grade 2. 

NYSTC Students with Disabilities Certification Extension Grades PreK/K

Asynchronous & Synchronous

Audience: Teachers certified in SWD Grades 1-6 with at least three years of teaching experience in grades 1 and/or 2

Dates: 11/10/2026 to 2/1/2027

In June of 2018, NYS approved a new certification pathway for special educators interested in extending their existing certification to address the growing shortage of certified special education teachers in NYS. Special Educators who have an existing NYS Students with Disabilities Generalist Grades 1-6 certification, who are interested in obtaining an extension for grades PK-K, are invited to study this grade band through a three course series: Knowledge of Students (15hrs), Instructional Strategies (15hrs) and Professional Practice (15hrs).

Together, these three courses meet NYSED certification criteria for extending an existing NYS Students with Disabilities Generalist Grades 1-6 certification to include grades PK-K.

NYSTC Students with Disabilities Certification Extension Grades 10-12

Asynchronous & Synchronous

Audience: Teachers certified SWD 5-9 and have taught min 3 years at the 8th and 9th grade level

Dates: 11/2/2026 to 12/6/2026

In June 2018, the NYS Regents approved a new certification extension pathway for educators interested in extending their existing certification to address the growing shortage of special education teachers in NYS. This 45-hour course will help teachers analyze the NYS Next Generation Standards focusing on Reading, Writing, and Math at the 10th - 12th-grade level and develop lesson plans that use evidence-based and developmentally appropriate instructional practices to support student achievement. Teachers will apply their knowledge of this age group, current learning research, and technology to demonstrate facility in designing engaging lessons and developing a classroom culture that supports social, emotional, cognitive, and linguistic growth for all students.

The content of this course will be delivered through synchronous meetings online and assignments in Google Classroom (a personal Google account is required to access course materials). Fulfills NYS requirements for SWD Grades 10-12 certification extension.

Please note: Asynchronous work dates listed below are simply placeholders for the work of the course. You may complete asynchronous work during hours that work best for you. District approval is needed for in-service credit. (45 CTLE hours)

NYSTC Students with Disabilities Certification Extension Grades 5-8

Asynchronous & Synchronous 

Audience: Eligible participants must have SWD 1-6 or SWD 7-12 certification and at least 3 years of teaching experience

Dates: 1/4/2027 to 3/16/2027

This course is a New York State Education Department-approved course and provides the hours and course content required for certification extension for SWD grades 5-8.

Eligible participants must have SWD 1-6 or SWD 7-12 certification and at least 3 years of teaching experience to be eligible for the certification extension.

This 45-hour course requires synchronous and asynchronous work. The course includes 3 sections, Knowledge of Students, Instructional Strategies, and Professional Practices.

Please note: The asynchronous work dates listed below are simply placeholders for the course work. You may complete asynchronous work during hours that work best for you. (45 CTLE hours)

NOTE: Participants are responsible for submitting all required certificates and documentation directly to NYSED for certification extension review.