How to Apply

Admissions Guide Chart

In addition to the main admissions criteria, there may be additional requirements needed, depending on the program you are choosing to apply for. The following chart outlines our programmatic offerings as well as any additional materials or eligibility requirements needed to apply. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for any of our programs, contact us at 212-875-4404 or gradadmissions@bankstreet.edu.

As you go through the admissions requirements, please note the following:

Program Certification Eligibility Entry Term Additional Admissions Requirements
Advanced Certificate: Childhood Special Education (non-degree) Initial certification in:
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must have a master’s degree in education with a 3.0 GPA or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.
Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Advanced Certificate: Early Childhood Special Education (non-degree) Initial certification in:
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must have a master’s degree in education with a 3.0 GPA or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.
Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Advanced Certification: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Initial certification in:
English to Speakers of Other Languages (pre-K–12)		 FALL Applicants must have a master’s degree in education with a 3.0 GPA or higher from an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must hold a valid New York State initial/professional teaching certification in early childhood, elementary or childhood, middle childhood, secondary or adolescent education, literacy or special education.
Applicants must also have at least 12 semester hours or the equivalent of study of a language other than English.
Bilingual Extension Certificate Bilingual Extension SPRING
SUMMER
FALL		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Child Life (online) Certified Child Life Specialist FALL To apply for a practicum and internship, you must accumulate 100 hours of work with ill children in a healthcare setting. This can be volunteer or paid. You don’t need these hours to apply to our program.
A letter from a CCLS is not required, but highly recommended.
3.0 GPA or higher.
Child Life – Advanced Track (online) N/A FALL Candidates must be employed as a Child Life Specialist in a hospital or health care setting and hold certification as a CCLS.
At least one letter of recommendation must be from a Child Life Specialist (most likely your current supervisor).
Childhood General Education (Grades 1-6) Initial certification in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
Childhood Special & General Education / Dual Degree with Columbia University School of Social Work Initial certifications in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must apply separately to Columbia’s program and be admitted into both.
Childhood Special and General Education (on campus and online) Initial certifications in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING (On-Campus Only)
SUMMER
Childhood Special Education (on campus and online)* Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certification in:
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 FALL (On-Campus Only)
SPRING (On-Campus Only)
SUMMER		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Childhood Special Education / Dual Degree with Columbia University School of Social Work Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certification in:
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must also apply separately to Columbia’s program and be admitted into both.
Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Cross-Age: Early Childhood and Childhood General Education Initial Certification in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade2)
Childhood (Grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
Childhood General and Special Education Residency Initial certifications in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 SUMMER 2
Dual Language/Bilingual Childhood General Education Initial certifications in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.
Dual Language/Bilingual Childhood Special and General Education Initial certifications in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.
Dual Language/Bilingual Childhood Special Education Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certifications in:
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.
Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Dual Language/Bilingual Early Childhood General and Special Education Initial Certifications in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.
Dual Language/Bilingual Early Childhood General Education Initial Certifications in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.
Dual Language/Bilingual Early Childhood Special Education Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certifications in:
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.
Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Early Childhood Leadership School Building Leader (SBL)
Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC)		 FALL Applicants must have three years of head teaching/pupil personnel experience.
Early Childhood General Education (Birth- Grade 2) Initial certification in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
Early Childhood General Education – Advanced Standing Initial certification in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)		 SPRING Applicants must be a lead teacher working with children from birth through second grade in a publicly funded program.

Applicants must have a minimum of three years of teaching experience as an assistant, associate, or lead teacher.
Early Childhood Special & General Education / Dual Degree with Columbia University School of Social Work Initial certifications in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must also apply separately to Columbia’s program and be admitted into both.
Early Childhood Special and General Education (on campus and online) Initial certifications in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING (On-Campus Only)
SUMMER
Early Childhood Special Education (on campus and online)* Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certification in:
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)		 FALL (On-Campus Only)
SPRING (On-Campus Only)
SUMMER		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Early Childhood Special Education / Dual Degree with Columbia University School of Social Work Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certification in:
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must also apply separately to Columbia’s program and be admitted into both.
Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Future School Leaders Academy School Building Leader
School District Leader		 EVERY OTHER FALL (Next cycle will be Fall 2025) Applicants must have three years of head teaching/pupil personnel experience.
Letters of recommendation must come from the superintendent of your district and from the principal or director of your school.
Applicants must already have a master’s degree in education.
Infant & Family Development & Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special and General Education Initial certifications in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
Infant & Family Development & Early Intervention /Dual Degree with Hunter School of Social Work N/A SUMMER 2 Applicants must also apply separately to Hunter’s program and be admitted into both.
Infant & Family Development & Early Intervention: Non-Certification Track N/A FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
Infant & Family Development & Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certification in:
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Leadership in Mathematics Education School Building Leader (SBL) SUMMER 2 Applicants must have three years of head teaching/pupil personnel experience.
One letter of recommendation must come from a supervisor (Assistant Principal, Principal, Site Director, Head of School, etc.).
Museum Studies: Learning and Engagement in Museums and Cultural Organizations N/A FALL Demonstration of involvement or connections with a museum, library, community or cultural (non-profit) organization, either through full-time, part-time, or as-needed employment, or through volunteer work, undergraduate coursework related to education in the arts/museums, classroom teaching or internship experiences that includes a history of interactions with museums or cultural organizations, or a combination of the above.
Progressive Leadership Program (online) School Building Leader (SBL) FALL
SPRING		 Applicants must have three years of head teaching/pupil personnel experience.
One letter of recommendation must come from a supervisor (Assistant Principal, Principal, Site Director, Head of School, etc.).
Reading & Literacy: Inclusive Teaching Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification
Initial/professional certification:
Literacy-All Grades (Pre-K–12th Grade)		 SPRING
FALL		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
School District Leadership (online) School District Leader FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must have a master’s degree in education from an accredited institution of higher education.
Studies in Education N/A FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Initial certification in:
English to Speakers of Other Languages (pre-K–12)		 FALL
SPRING		 Applicants must have at least 12 semester hours or the equivalent of study of a language other than English.

 

*Online programs in our single-certification special education programs in early childhood or childhood start in the Spring or Summer terms of any given year, contingent upon the size of our dual-certification fall cohort.