What Does it Take to Get Into NYU’s Teacher Residency Program?

If you’re a college graduate looking to enter a teaching career, you have several options to acquire the necessary training. Those options include teacher residency programs, which offer a valuable and unique set of benefits. 

As an aspiring teacher in the NYU Teacher Residency program, for example, you will gain all of the following:

• A master of arts in teaching (MAT), a graduate-level teaching degree that, in many school systems, triggers an automatic pay increase
• The pedagogical knowledge and skills covered over your 16 months of master’s study in a nationally renowned, accredited program, complemented by the hands-on experience of your full-year, teaching residency
• A full year of teaching experience, enabling you to gradually build skills and take on responsibilities as you prepare to lead your classroom
• The benefits of a curriculum designed to enable you to develop inclusive, culturally relevant lessons and activities, and to create a supportive, encouraging learning environment for all students
• A clear pathway to a position teaching at the elementary level or as a secondary-level content area expert
• Comprehensive training and education to prepare you for teacher certification and licensure
• The support and training particular to programs featuring active mentorships and coaching resources
• Powerful connections to the community in which you teach for a full school year (and, in some cases, afterward — if your residency includes a commitment to remain for a fixed period following its completion)
• For full-day residents, a salary or stipend for teaching that helps defray the cost of the program

The NYU Teacher Residency is open to applicants of varied academic backgrounds — in fact, it’s designed specifically for students who may not have majored in education as undergraduates.

So, what does it take to get into the NYU Teacher Residency program?

General eligibility

The NYU Teacher Residency offers two options:

• A master of arts in teaching in Inclusive Childhood Education, for Grades 1 through 6 teachers
• A master of arts in teaching in Secondary Education, for middle school and high school teachers

These programs set general requirements for all applicants and specific requirements depending on the applicant’s field of specialization. This article covers the specific requirements in subsequent sections; this section discusses general requirements.

To qualify for the master’s degree in Inclusive Childhood Education, you must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 24 credits in a liberal arts major or concentration. Note that you must have 30 undergraduate credits in your field of specialization by the end of your residency; however, you may enter the program with at least 24 credits and earn the remaining credits during your residency year.

To qualify for the program, your undergraduate transcript must reflect the following course work:

• 3 semester hours of English
• 3 semester hours of natural or physical science
• 3 semester hours of mathematics (statistics is acceptable)
• 3 semester hours of social science or social studies
• 3 semester hours of a language other than English (ASL is acceptable)

The master of arts in Inclusive Childhood Education is also offered with a special education concentration. To qualify, your transcript must reflect at least 18 credits in one of the following disciplines:

• English
• Natural or physical science
• Mathematics
• Social science or social studies

To qualify for a master of arts in teaching in Secondary Education, you must hold a bachelor’s degree with 24 to 30 credits in one of the following areas:

• English
• History/social studies
• Mathematics
• Science

The master of arts in teaching in Secondary Education also offers a special education concentration. Applicants must also have 18 to 30 undergraduate credits in English, history/social studies, mathematics, and science, but those credits can be spread across those disciplines. They need not all be in a single academic area.

Applicants to the master of arts in teaching in Secondary Education program must specify their intended content area. Their options are:

• English
• History/social studies
• Mathematics
• Science
• Special education

Applicants to both programs must:

• Demonstrate English proficiency (ESL candidates must demonstrate proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic unless they have studied for at least four years in English-language post-secondary institutions)
• Pass a criminal background check prior to field placement

International students applying to this program are not eligible for F or J visa types through New York University. No teaching experience is required to qualify.

Content area-specific eligibility

Secondary-level candidates must specialize in an academic area and, accordingly, must meet additional subject-specific eligibility requirements.

Eligibility to teach English at the secondary level

To earn the master of arts in teaching in English at the secondary level, you must have at least 30 undergraduate credits in English. You can enter the residency program with at least 24 undergraduate English credits, but you must complete the remaining credits to earn your master’s degree.

Your undergraduate credits must satisfy the following distribution requirements:

• 12 hours of literature
• 3 to 6 hours of language
• 3 to 6 hours of writing

Eligibility to teach history/social studies at the secondary level

To earn the master of arts in teaching in history/social studies at the secondary level, you must have at least 30 undergraduate credits in history and social studies. You can enter the residency program with at least 24 undergraduate credits in these fields, but you must complete the remaining credits to earn your master’s degree. In addition, your bachelor’s degree must reflect a “strong GPA.”

Your undergraduate credits must satisfy the following distribution requirements:

• 3 semester hours of economics
• 3 semester hours of government, politics, or political science
• 21 semester hours of history and geography (US and world)
• 3 semester hours of a foreign language

Eligibility to teach mathematics at the secondary level

To earn the master of arts in teaching in mathematics at the secondary level, you must have at least 30 undergraduate credits in mathematics. You can enter the residency program with at least 24 undergraduate credits in these fields, but you must complete the remaining credits to earn your master’s degree. In addition, your bachelor’s degree must reflect a “strong GPA.”

All undergraduate course work should be at the 100 level or above and should cover the following subjects:

• Algebra
• Analytic geometry
• Calculus
• Data analysis
• Discrete mathematics
• Geometry
• Mathematical reasoning
• Number theory and concepts
• Probability
• Quantitative methods

Eligibility to teach science at the secondary level

To earn the master of arts in teaching in science at the secondary level, you must have at least 30 undergraduate credits in science or a science-related undergraduate major. You can enter the residency program with at least 24 undergraduate credits in these fields, but you must complete the remaining credits to earn your master’s degree. In addition, your bachelor’s degree must reflect a “strong GPA.”

Placements are available in biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics education. Undergraduate course work should demonstrate appropriate study in your chosen field.

Eligibility to teach special education (generalist) at the secondary level

To earn the master of arts in teaching in special education at the secondary level, you must have at least 30 undergraduate credits in a liberal arts major. You can enter the residency program with at least 24 undergraduate credits in the liberal arts, but you must complete the remaining credits to earn your master’s degree. In addition, your bachelor’s degree must reflect a “strong GPA.” Alternatively, you may qualify for the special education concentration with 18 undergraduate credits in one of the concentration areas — English, mathematics, science, or social studies — but you must complete the outstanding credits before you can earn your master’s.

Your undergraduate credits must satisfy the following distribution requirements:

• 6 semester hours of English language arts
• 6 semester hours of mathematics (includes statistics)
• 6 semester hours of natural or physical sciences
• 6 semester hours of social studies/social sciences

How to apply

You can apply to the NYU Teacher Residency program online. Email an unofficial copy of your undergraduate transcript demonstrating your qualifications for the program of your choice. Remit also a $75 nonrefundable application fee. You’ll also need to upload the following items.

An official transcript request form

You’ll submit this form via DocuSign. It enables NYU to order an official transcript from your undergraduate institution.

A résumé

Your résumé should summarize your skills and experience in the context of your prospective teaching appointment. Quantify your achievements whenever possible; rather than saying “I tutored students to improve their college admissions exam scores,” say “I tutored over 50 students in college admissions exams, increasing their SAT scores by an average of 140 points.” NYU Steinhardt recommends you use “streamlined and simple” formatting; avoid splashy graphics, bright colors, and gaudy fonts. Finally, make sure to have your résumé proofread carefully before you submit it.

Essays

Your essays should demonstrate your knowledge of the program and its objectives, which include redressing equity issues in education. You should also discuss your desired teaching assignment and the reasons you want to become a teacher. Be honest and positive in your presentation of yourself. Ask a friend or colleague to review your essay before you submit it.

A video introduction

Record a 90-second video introduction in which you address a substantial question or issue of importance to you. Work off prepared notes but try not to read a script; just plan what you want to say, practice until you’ve got it down, and then record as many times as necessary to produce something that reflects your values and commitment. 

Students whose first language is not English may be required to take an English proficiency exam and submit a score report.

Admissions process

The NYU Steinhardt Admissions Committee reviews all applications. Select candidates are invited to participate in an asynchronous interview. You will be asked to respond to questions designed to help our faculty understand why the Teacher Residency is the right program to help you grow and thrive as an emerging teacher.

After the interview process, our Office of Graduate Admissions will notify you about your admission to the NYU Teacher Residency via email. 

As teaching is an integral part of the program, you must commit to participating in a half- or full-day residency with one of our program’s partner schools. Your admission to the program will include an invitation to participate in a half-day residency with NYC Department of Education (DOE) schools. You may choose to accept this offer or pursue a full-day residency in the third and final stage of your admissions journey. 

Candidates interested in the full-day residency must undergo a selection and hiring process with district and charter partner schools. This involves another round of interviews. Those who clear the admissions process receive an offer letter of employment from the hiring school.

You will receive a separate notification from the Office of Financial Aid concerning scholarships, financial aid, and tuition and fees due. The program does not allow admissions deferrals. A $200 nonrefundable deposit, to be applied to your tuition, secures your place in the program.

Why choose the NYU Teacher Residency Program?

Prospective educators have choices among different teacher preparation programs. Why choose the NYU Teacher Residency program?

The NYU Teacher Residency program combines world-class academic instruction with rigorous classroom-leading experiences to promote optimal teaching skills. As a resident, you’ll learn advanced concepts and practices during your online evening master’s classes, then apply them as soon as the following day in your classroom. 

With support from NYU Steinhardt faculty, residency peers, mentor teachers at your placement school, and your success coach, you’ll enjoy a safe, nurturing community in which to learn and develop as a teacher. Whether you’re a recent college graduate or a career changer, you’ll meet students like yourself with whom to share this extraordinary journey.

Partnerships in various locations across the United States mean NYU residents enjoy multiple opportunities to participate in and benefit from this program. All of the partner schools share NYU Steinhardt’s goal to prepare effective teachers and improve education for underserved students, including emergent bilinguals and students with disabilities.

As an NYU resident, you will join an exceptionally diverse student body (the NYU teacher residency every year has had a minimum of 60 percent new teachers of color, compared to the national average of 20 percent). If you enroll in a full-day residency, you’ll also earn a salary or stipend to help defray the cost of attending graduate school and earning a master’s degree in teaching.

The NYU Teacher Residency program starts in the summer preceding the residency academic year.