Admissions

At NYU Steinhardt, we are committed to finding teachers who will drive impact and help students reach their full potential. Our admissions process is designed to give us a sense of who you are, what drives you, and how you aim to positively influence the future of education.

Ready to take the next step toward your future as an NYU Steinhardt teacher resident? Once you have reviewed the program’s eligibility requirements and determined the program is the right fit, you’ll navigate through three key stages of the teacher residency admissions process, the third of which will vary based on what type of residency you pursue. In most cases, the admissions process will take eight to twelve weeks from the application deadline to residency decisions rendered. 

1. Your application

NYU Steinhardt takes a holistic approach in evaluating your application, taking into account your academic background, personal and professional experiences, and motivations. The following is required to complete your online application:

a. Application profile: Build your prospective student profile to access our application portal, dashboard, and our team of enrollment advisors who can answer any questions you may have along your admissions journey.

b. Transcript(s): Submit your unofficial transcript first, followed by a consent form so our team may request an official transcript on your behalf. Transcript reviews help us assess your eligibility for specific content area(s) within the program and highlight your academic strengths. 

c. Letters of recommendation: Request two letters of recommendation, ideally from those who know you within a professional or academic context. If you are currently completing your undergraduate degree or have graduated within the past two years, we ask that you submit at least one recommendation from someone who can speak to your academic performance. Your letters of recommendation should provide insight into your character, experience, and achievements through the eyes of others.

d. Resume: Update your resume to include your employment history, as well as your most recent achievements and pursuits. We’ll provide the preferred template of our faculty and hiring managers.

e. Essay: All applicants must complete the content area essay, which explores your motivation for teaching your chosen subject and your interest in supporting diverse learners. 

f. Video questions: Complete three required video prompts that help the admissions committee learn more about you and how you approach teaching and learning. The prompts follow three categories:

• Personal introduction
• Responding to feedback
• Text application

g. English proficiency exam: If English is not your native language, submit results from one of the following English proficiency exams: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. This requirement may be waived if you received four years of education as either an undergraduate or graduate student where the official language of instruction of the institution was English. For more details, please see our English proficiency testing requirements.

h. Application fee: Pay a $75 nonrefundable application fee. In certain cases, a fee waiver is available. Prompts within the application will guide you through the process.

2. NYU Steinhardt faculty admissions committee review

NYU Steinhardt faculty review each application individually and make an admissions decision based on a comprehensive review of the materials submitted. Our Office of Graduate Admissions will notify you about your admission to the NYU Teacher Residency via email.

You may pay your tuition deposit upon admission to the program to reserve your position, or you may wait until your residency offer is secured before paying your deposit.

Following admission, all students are approved for the 25-Hour Residency with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). During this stage, you will be asked to complete a residency preference survey to indicate which residency locations you’d like to be considered for. While you cannot choose your residency location, you can indicate regional preferences.

You also have the option of choosing two other Teacher Residency pathways:

• The 40-Hour District and Charter Partner Residency at schools in New York City, Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, or Washington, DC (public school district options are available in Syracuse and Albany)
• The 35-Hour Empire State Teacher Residency Grant pathway for Inclusive Childhood and Secondary Special Education teacher residents at NYCPS priority districts in Brooklyn and the Bronx 

 See our residency partner schools to explore the range of opportunities.

3. Partner school interviews and offer

After admission to the NYU Teacher Residency, your residency placement process will follow one of three pathways based on the residency opportunity you pursue. 

a. For students participating in the 25-Hour Residency with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS): No additional action is needed. You will be notified by NYU Teacher Residency faculty of your placement during the Summer session, where you will be placed in one of our NYC Public Schools partner schools with your residency offer.

b. For students participating in the 40-Hour District and Charter Partner Residency: It is at the discretion of the hiring partner school, network, and/or district to offer residency interviews and/or hiring opportunities. You can ultimately accept or decline the offer(s) for residency engagement.

Individual residency schedules and compensation will vary. All teacher residents are required to be on-site at their contracted school Monday through Friday with hours determined by the school. Compensation and benefits are solely determined by the district, network, or school and can vary greatly by school.

c. For students pursuing the 35-Hour Empire State Teacher Residency Grant: Your application materials will be forwarded to hiring managers at the district/charter partner schools we have determined to be the best fit based on your residency preference survey responses. Hiring managers will then decide whom to invite to residency interviews that are required as part of the hiring process.

Final interviews will take place with our district and charter partners to determine your residency offer and school assignment.

Key dates and resources

The application for 2027 cohort is open. We encourage you to apply by the upcoming deadline to make the most of your admissions experience. All application components must be submitted by the deadline in order to receive a timely admissions decision.

Resources to make the most of your application:

• Choosing a Content Area (Secondary Education degree)
• Tips for an Impressive Grad School Resume
• Tips for Your Personal Essay
• Tips for Your Video Introduction

Important notes for the best admissions experience:

• NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future year must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.
• NYU requires immunization records. To comply with New York State Public Health Laws and University requirements, all students – regardless of location – are expected to follow NYU’s immunization guidelines.
• Partner schools may require a criminal background check. Licensing agencies and fieldwork placement facilities in your field of study require that you undergo a criminal background check, the results of which the agency or facility must find acceptable before placement or licensure.