Certificate Programs

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Program Description

The Teaching Assistant Certificate program is designed for students who want to begin a career in education, as well as for those presently employed in area school districts who need to upgrade professional credentials to meet federal, New York State, and local guidelines. Successful completion of the 24 credit-hour program will make the student eligible for Level Three Teaching Assistant state certification when combined with successful completion of the New York State Teacher Certification Assessment of Teaching Skills Exam (or the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test), workshops on Child Abuse Identification and School Violence Intervention and Prevention, the fingerprinting requirement and one year employment in a teaching assistant position. The Level Three certificate is a continuously valid certificate, provided that the student meets the New York State Education Department’s professional development and continuous employment requirements.

All the courses in the program, including a specific teaching assistant related course entitled “The Paraeductor as a Member of the Educational Team,” may be applied to an associate degree program at Erie Community College, and all courses have been certified transferable for a Bachelor of Science Education Degree at Buffalo State College.

The program has two tracks for prospective teaching assistants. Students can prepare for Childhood Education positions or focus on Secondary Education positions. If students are unsure of which path to follow, prospective students can consult with the Department Head for Teacher Preparation Programs.

Department Notes

Satisfactory completion of the Erie Community College Teaching Assistant Certificate program does not guarantee the student a New York State Level Three Teaching Assistant Certificate. The student must also successfully complete the following – the New York State Teacher Certification Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills Exam (or the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test), workshops on Child Abuse Identification and School Violence Intervention and Prevention, the fingerprinting requirement, and one year of employment in a teaching assistant position.

Degree: Certificate
Hegis Code: 5503
Curriculum Code: 1330
Total Degree Credits: 24
Campus Location: City - all courses but one are presently taught on all three campuses
Prerequisite: eligible to take English and mathematics for credit classes