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.

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.