Admissions Criteria

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.
  • Entrance Exam Requirements: Some programs may not require an entrance exam for admission. If they do, GRE (institution code is 2035) and MAT (institution code is 3197) scores may be no more than five years old. If you already completed a graduate teaching program and hold a currently valid New York State teaching certification, an entrance exam is not required.

Contact the Admissions Team

Program Certification Eligibility Entry Term Additional Admissions Requirements Entrance Exam Required?
Adolescent Mathematics Education Adolescent Education: Mathematics, Grades 7–12 SUMMER 2 In addition to breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences, applicants must have at least 18 semester hours or the equivalent of study in math content courses. GRE/MAT
Child Life Online Certified Child Life Specialist FALL 100 hours of volunteer work in a Child Life setting.

A  letter from a CCLS.

3.0 GPA or higher.

 NO
Child Life Online – Advanced Track N/A FALL Candidates must be employed as a Child Life Specialist in a hospital or health care setting.

At least one letter of recommendation must be from a Child Life Specialist (most likely your current supervisor).

 NO
Curriculum and Instruction Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education or in General and Special Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level. GRE/MAT
Dual Language/Bilingual Early Childhood General Education Initial Certifications in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences.

Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.

 GRE/MAT
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		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences.

Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin. 

 GRE/MAT
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. 

 GRE/MAT
Dual Language/Bilingual Childhood General Education Initial certifications in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)
Bilingual Extension		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Breadth and depth in the liberal art and sciences.

Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin.

 GRE/MAT
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		 Breadth and depth in the liberal art and sciences.

Applicants must be fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and have the aptitude to complete graduate-level coursework in Spanish or Mandarin. 

 GRE/MAT
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.

 GRE/MAT
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Initial certification in:
English to Speakers of Other Languages (pre-K–12)		 FALL In addition to breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences, applicants must have at least 12 semester hours or the equivalent of study of a language other than English.  GRE/MAT
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.

  NO
Early Childhood General Education (Birth- Grade 2) Initial certification in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences.  GRE/MAT
Childhood General Education (Grades 1-6) Initial certification in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		  Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences. GRE/MAT
Cross-Age: Early Childhood and Childhood General Education Initial Certification in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade2)
Childhood (Grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		  Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences.  GRE/MAT
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		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences. GRE/MAT
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. GRE/MAT
Infant & Family Development & Early Intervention /Dual Degree with Hunter School of Social Work  N/A FALL Applicants must also apply separately to Hunter’s program and be admitted into both. NO
Infant & Family Development & Early Intervention: Non-Certification Track  N/A FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 NO
Teaching Literacy & Childhood General Education Initial certification in:
Childhood (grades 1–6) Literacy Specialist (birth–grade 6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Breadth and depth in the liberal art and sciences. GRE/MAT
Teaching Literacy: Focus on Classroom or Clinical Teaching Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification

Initial/professional certification in:
Literacy Specialist (birth–grade 6)

 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level. GRE/MAT
Advanced Literacy Specialization Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification

Initial/professional certification:
Literacy Specialist (birth–grade 6)

 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.

Applicants must already hold a master’s degree in Education

 NO
Reading & Literacy: Clinical Practice (non-certification) N/A FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 NO
Museum Education: Childhood Initial certification in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences. GRE/MAT
Museum Education: Non-Certification Track N/A FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 NO
Early Childhood Special and General Education Initial certifications in:
Early Childhood (birth–grade 2)
Students with Disabilities (birth–grade 2)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences. GRE/MAT
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. GRE/MAT
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.

 NO
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		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences.

Applicants must also apply separately to Columbia’s program and be admitted into both.

 GRE/MAT
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.

 GRE/MAT
Childhood Special and General Education Initial certifications in:
Childhood (grades 1–6)
Students with Disabilities (grades 1–6)		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences. GRE/MAT
Childhood Special Education 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 already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level. GRE/MAT
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.

 NO
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		 Breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences.

Applicants must also apply separately to Columbia’s program and be admitted into both.

 GRE/MAT
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.

 GRE/MAT
Teaching Students with Disabilities Generalist (Grades 7-12) Initial certification in:
Teaching Students with Disabilities 7–12 Generalist		 FALL In addition to breadth and depth in the liberal arts and sciences, applicants must have six semester hours each of study in science, social studies, English language arts, and mathematics. GRE/MAT
Studies in Education  N/A FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 NO
Advanced Certificate: Early Childhood Leadership (non-degree) School Building Leader (SBL)
Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC)		 FALL Applicants must have three years of head teaching/pupil personnel experience.

Applicants must already hold a master’s degree in education.

 GRE/MAT
Advanced Certificate: Early Childhood Leadership (non-degree) Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) only  FALL Applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree and 18 credits in child development or related courses  NO
Leadership for Educational Change School Building Leader (SBL)
NYS School District Leader (SDL) certification for those who opt for this additional certification, meet the course and fieldwork requirements, and pass the state assessments.		 FALL
SPRING
SUMMER		 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.).

 GRE/MAT
Leadership in Mathematics Education School Building Leader (SBL)
NYS School District Leader (SDL) certification for those who opt for this additional certification, meet the course and fieldwork requirements, and pass the state assessments.		 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.). 

 GRE/MAT
Leadership in Museum Education N/A FALL Applicants must already work in a cultural institution. NO
Teacher Leader in Mathematics Education Professional certification in the area of an applicant’s initial certification SUMMER 2 Applicants must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level. GRE/MAT
Progressive Leaders Program School Building Leader (SBL)
NYS School District Leader (SDL) certification for those who opt for this additional certification, meet the course and fieldwork requirements, and pass the state assessments.		 FALL 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.).

 GRE/MAT
Future School Leaders Academy School Building Leader
School District Leader		 FALL 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.

 *See information below regarding testing requirement.
School District Leadership (non-degree)  School District Leader FALL Applicants must have a master’s degree in education from an accredited institution of higher education

Applicants must already hold a School Building Leader certification.

 *See information below regarding testing requirement.

*If you already completed a graduate teaching program and hold a currently valid New York State teaching certification, an entrance exam is not required.