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:

Certification Eligibility: All teacher and leader certifications are issued by New York State. More information about professional certification eligibility and requirements can be found here.
Entry Term: Our academic calendar outlines the dates for our Fall, Spring, Summer 1, and Summer 2 terms.
Additional Admissions Requirements: Take note of any additional liberal arts and science prerequisites, letters of reference, certifications, and other requirements needed beyond the general admissions criteria.

Admissions Requirements

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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2	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	FALL SPRING SUMMER 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2
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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER 2 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER LONG (Online Only)
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 1 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER 2 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER LONG (Online Only)	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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2
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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2
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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER 2 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER LONG (Online Only)
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 1 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER 2 (On-Campus Only) SUMMER LONG (Online Only)	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 1 SUMMER 2	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 1 SUMMER 2
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 1 SUMMER 2
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 1 SUMMER 2	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 LONG	Applicants must have a master’s degree in education from an accredited institution of higher education.
Studies in Education	N/A	FALL SPRING SUMMER 1 SUMMER 2
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.