Save money when you start your teacher prep at community college.

Lower tuition

Community college tuition is significantly lower than at four-year universities, allowing you to complete the first two years of your education at a much lower cost.

Lower living expenses

You can cut down on living costs, since you do not have to stay in a college or university dormitory. You can even continue to live at home if you have a community college nearby! 

Financial aid

Financial aid is available, so you can reduce or even eliminate student loans. (Remember that tuition will be different at each community college and depends on where you live in New York.) Additionally, many schools offer scholarships, grants and work-study programs to further help offset costs.

Many community college students have part-time or full-time jobs, as well as family responsibilities.

New York community colleges offer flexible class schedules, including daytime, evening, weekend and online classes. Online classes, in particular, allow you to learn from anywhere, on your own schedule, making balancing coursework with other responsibilities easier. Colleges also offer multiple sections of the same class, so you can find a class time and format that works for you.

Community colleges make higher education accessible to everyone. If you meet the minimum requirements, you’ll be accepted, offering an opportunity to start fresh regardless of your past academic record.

If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree (or higher) and a New York teaching certificate, a Teacher Education Transfer program is a great place to start. 

The Teacher Education Transfer program is for anyone interested in a NY teaching career who wants to earn credits that could transfer to a four-year, teacher certification program. Both CUNY and SUNY have a local network of community colleges that offer Teacher Education Transfer programs. These programs allow for a seamless transfer experience once you complete your associate degree because they’re already part of CUNY and SUNY. See participating community colleges.

To learn more, visit CUNY’s Transfer into Teacher Education page and check out our tips for transferring (see below).

A 2+2 transfer pathway lets you earn your associate's degree at a community college, then transfer to a specific four-year college or university to finish your bachelor's degree and teacher certification. 

Each pathway is tailored for a specific major at a specified institution, ensuring smooth credit transfer and cost savings.

Career and Technical Education programs provide relevant, rigorous education and help ensure a thriving New York. School districts across the state are looking for teacher candidates who have experience in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, health science and skilled trades.

Is a CTE certification right for me?

If you have work experience in a specialized field like agriculture, business, health sciences or a skilled trade, a CTE certification may be right for you. 

See a full list of CTE titles here.

What do I need to get my CTE certification? The CTE pathway lets you share your skills with students, while earning your teaching certificate.

Visit TeachNY’s CTE page to learn more about pursuing your CTE certification. 

Totally confused? Not to worry! You can sign up for a group advising session with an experienced TeachNY coach, here.