Do You Want to Teach?
Buffalo State College has been the gold standard in teacher education since 1871 when we first opened our doors as a New York State teacher college.
If your dream, like ours, is to become a teacher, Buffalo State education faculty are here to wholeheartedly support you on this journey.
Find Your Path Back to Teaching: Wednesday, July 27, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center
89%
Within the first year after graduation, the vast majority of our teacher education alums are working within their chosen field: education.
8,500
Number of projected job openings for NYS teachers each year (4% growth per year through 2029).
4+1
Offering multiple five-year accelerated pathways which lead to a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education.
20
Undergraduate teacher preparation majors and minors that lead to initial NYS certification, which remains in place for five years.
37
Graduate programs and certificates that lead to NYS certification, which due to its stringent requirements is often accepted as equivalent in other states.
Buffalo State College Offers More than 55 Pathways to Become a Teacher
- Art Education (PK-12), B.F.A.
- Business and Marketing Education, B.S.
- Career and Technical Education, B.S.
- Child Advocacy Studies, Certificate Program (PDF)
- Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), B.S.
- Childhood Education and English Extension (Grades 1–6 and 7-9 English Extension), B.S.
- Childhood Education and Mathematics Extension (Grades 1–6 and 7-9 Mathematics Extension), B.S.
- Childhood Education and Social Studies Extension (Grades 1–6 and 7-9 Social Studies Extension), B.S.
- Art Education, M.S.Ed.
- Business and Marketing Education, M.S.Ed.
- Career and Technical Education, M.S.Ed.
- Childhood and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction, M.S.Ed.
- Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6), including initial teacher certification (MIITC), M.S.Ed.
- Educational Leadership, C.A.S.
- Educational Leadership Combined School Building Leader/School District Leader (SBL/SDL), C.A.S.
- English Education (7-12), M.S.Ed.
- Human Resource Development, G.C.P.
- ITI-BSE Bilingual Special Education, G.C.P.
- ITI-BSE Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, C.A.S.
- Literacy Specialist (Birth-Grade 12), M.S.Ed.
- Mathematics Education (7-12), M.S.Ed.
- Music Education, M.A.M.
- Physics Education (7-12), M.S.Ed.
- Science Education, M.S.Ed.
- Social Studies Education (7-12), M.S.Ed.
- Special Education: Childhood Program, M.S.Ed.
- Special Education: Early Childhood Program, M.S.Ed.
- Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist and Students with Disabilities 7-12 Subject Extensions, M.S.Ed.
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), C.A.S.
- Teaching Bilingual Exceptional Individuals, Graduate Certificate
- Technology Education, M.S.Ed.
- Urban Education, M.S.
4+1 Pathways offer motivated students an expedited way to achieve an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated course of combined study. Students accepted into these pathways commit to following the curriculum as detailed by the respective departments and, in doing so, are enabled to take graduate courses while undergraduate students. The 4+1 options are:
- Curriculum and Instruction 4+1
- Early Childhood/Exceptional Education 4+1 (ECE/EXC)
- Literacy Specialist 4+1
- Science Education 4+1
- Special Education and Childhood Education and Early Childhood Pathway Accelerated 4+1
- Special Education and Childhood Education and Generalist Pathway Accelerated 4+1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 4+1 (TESOL)
- Art Education (Pk-12), Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- Business and Marketing Education, Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- Career and Technical Education, Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- English Education (7-12), Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- Mathematics Education (7-12), Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- Mathematics Education (7-12; 5-6 Extension), Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- Social Studies Education (7-12), Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- Social Studies Education (7-12; 5-6 Extension), Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
- Teaching Bilingual Exceptional Individuals, Graduate Certificate Program
- Technology Education, Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification
All teacher education programs include an initial clinical/field component.
]-
If you have been convicted of a felony, your criminal history record may impede your ability to complete this program and/or become a New York State (NYS) certified teacher. Please review Buffalo State's Admission of Persons with Prior Felony Convictions Policy.

We prepare reflective, innovative, student-centered educators who are committed to transforming lives. Field experience can start early in your teacher education journey with our more than 100 regional, national, and international school partnerships.
Experienced and accredited. We are committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of future and practicing professionals in the diverse field of education.
