UFT programs and services for certification

The UFT offers many programs and services for teachers to help them hone their skills and meet certification and licensing requirements. The union also offers courses to help teachers prepare for state exams and workshops to fulfill requirements for licensure and staff development.

Questions about individual certification requirements?
Call the UFT and ask to speak to an educational liaison. The UFT also offers certification and licensing workshops for new teachers throughout the year. Check the New York Teacher and the UFT website for dates, times and locations.
Coaching for tests
Coaching sessions familiarize you with the test formats and emphasize test-taking techniques. Low-cost coaching sessions help you prepare for these state-mandated exams. Times and locations appear in the New York Teacher educational supplement, which the UFT mails in August, January and June, or online at Courses and Workshops.
Mandated workshops
To help you fulfill additional New York State certification mandated workshop requirements our UFT education programs offer the following workshops at a low cost to members. Times and locations appear in the New York Teacher educational supplement, which the UFT mails in August, January and June, or online at Courses and Workshops.
- Child Abuse Detection and Reporting
  A low-cost two-hour course in child abuse recognition and reporting, for those who have not already fulfilled this state requirement.
- Violence & Prevention Training
  A low-cost violence prevention workshop required of all new teachers by the New York State Education Department. This two-hour course, offered throughout the school year by the UFT School Safety Department, meets state requirements for certification.
- The Needs of Children with Autism
  The New York State Education Department requires all teachers who are seeking initial or professional state certification in special education to take a three-hour workshop in the needs of children with autism. This workshop is a one-day, three-hour session and meets the requirements for New York State certification.
- Dignity for All Students (DASA) training
  School professionals (teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, psychologists and social workers) who are applying for state certification must take this six-hour course.

Upon completion of every certification related workshop the UFT will forward your certificate of completion to the SED electronically.

Meeting credit and degree requirements

You undoubtedly know that you have to earn a master’s degree. But did you know that you’ll also earn more money when you get your master’s — and that you’ll earn even more if you acquire 30 credits above your master’s degree? Learn more about salary differentials for coursework.

By taking courses or enrolling in a master’s or certificate program through the UFT Teacher Center, you’ll not only get a good education but often save money, too, at most of the participating colleges. These courses are taught by UFT colleagues, experienced classroom teachers who combine theory with practical applications you can use every day.

Credit-bearing courses, some with reduced tuition. The UFT Teacher Center schedules more than 500 undergraduate and graduate courses each year. Look for the educational supplement to the New York Teacher, mailed to all members before each term, in the fall, spring and summer. Or visit the Teacher Center online for listings.
Master’s degree and certificate programs. These Teacher Center programs, offered in conjunction with several area colleges and universities, are fully described in the educational supplement to the New York Teacher.

For more information on courses and workshops offered by the UFT, see Courses and Workshops.