Adolescence Certification for Career Change Emphasizing Secondary Schools (ACCESS)

This program is designed to prepare students to teach at the middle and high school level who already hold a Bachelor's degree or a higher degree from an accredited institution with a major in a secondary content area or for the individual who has a Bachelor's or a higher degree in one field but is pursuing courses and certification in another field.

The program will enable students to be knowledgeable about the characteristics of pre- and adolescent learners and it will provide the essential skills and methodologies to enable teachers to create student-focused and engaging lessons that are standards-based.

Certification

Students who successfully complete this program will receive New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) content area  and Students with Disabilities (Grades 7 - 12).
Note: Adolescence certification is specific to a content area.

Academic Majors for this program

• Biology
• Business and Marketing Education* (note different program director info)
• Chemistry
• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Spanish

ACCESS Program Director:
Dr. Craig M. Hill
Office: Golisano Academic Center, Room 298
Phone: (585) 389-2591
Fax: (585) 389-2057
Email: chill0@naz.edu

ACCESS: Business and Marketing Program Director:
Ms. Helen Eisenberg
Office: Smyth Hall, Room 147H
Phone: (585) 389-2388
Fax: (585) 586-2452
Email: heisenb2@naz.edu

Is the program right for you?

Careful consideration and advisement should be sought if you do not have a master's degree. Consideration of the Inclusive Adolescence Education Program at the master's degree level could be the better option for some students. The ACCESS program works very well for students who have a master's degree or higher.

Admission Requirements

Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 and a B average in a major field is required for entry into the ACCESS Program. In addition, students must satisfy the interview requirements of the major department and of the School of Education. Education courses taken at two-year institutions cannot be used to meet education requirements. Please note: You must have an academic major; you may not major in Education.