Advanced Certificate Intensive Teacher Institute (ITI-BSE) 15 Credits | School of Education | Dobbs Ferry & Online

Intensive Teacher Institute Program (ITI-BSE) Overview
The Intensive Teacher Institute in Bilingual Special Education (ITI-BSE) was created to address the shortage of certified bilingual and English as a second language educators in New York State. Mercy College is one of the collaborating institutions of higher education (IHEs) approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) through BOCES to assist participants in meeting the requirements for a Bilingual Education or a TESOL extension certificate in Special Education.

The 15-credit NYSED sponsored ITI-BSE program permits qualified applicants who hold an approved NYS base teaching certificate in B-6 or 7-12 subject area to earn a NYS professional bilingual or TESOL extension certificate to their current initial/professional or permanent certificate. These teacher candidates must meet all program prerequisites and are required to complete all the courses listed below and pass the BEA exam (Bilingual Special extension) or CST-ESOL (TESOL extension in Special Education). A copy of a valid base teaching certificate are additional admissions requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Interested candidates in this program need to review eligibility requirements and apply first for acceptance into this 15 credit tuition-assisted program through Eastern Suffolk BOCES: http://www.esboces.org/Page/382.
Career Opportunities
Students completing this degree find job opportunities in the field of Bilingual Education as teachers, curriculum developers and/or teacher trainers. For additional career information, contact:

Frequently Asked Questions
I didn’t major in education. Do I need to?
No. Just a liberal arts major. Or have completed a 30-credit sequence in a liberal arts content area.
Should I have majored in education as an undergraduate?
No. However, you must have an initial teaching certificate, and be proficient in a language other than English.
Do I need to be proficient in another language?
Yes. You must be proficient in English and in another language used for instruction in NYS public schools. These include: French Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Urdu.
What are the prerequisites?
You must have or be eligible for an initial certificate in early childhood, childhood, or a content area subject other than a foreign language.
What education programs do you offer?
The School of Education offers a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in one of the following areas: Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2; Childhood Education, Grades 1-6; Secondary Education, 7-12; Teaching Literacy, Birth-Grade 12; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); Bilingual Extension to a Teaching Certificate; School Building Leadership; Advanced Certificate in School Building Leadership.
Is Mercy College a nonsectarian institution?
Yes. Qualified applicants are admitted without regard to race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or physical disability.
Are there some frequently used links I might need during the application process?
Please see below for frequently used links:
Exams
Organizations
Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
Required Courses: 15 Credits Total
Course Numbers and Titles for ITI-BSE in Bilingual Special Education Extension (professional certificate)
- EDUC 505 Tchng English as 2nd Lang
- EDUC 508 Thry & Prctc Blngl Ed
- EDUC 602 Ntve Lng Art/S Studies Bilg Ed
Mathematics and Science in Bilingual Education (course must be completed at DF campus) - EDUC 616 Theory
Course Numbers and Titles for ITI BSE in TESOL Special Education Extension (professional certificate)
- EDUC 505 Tchng English as 2nd Lang
- EDUC 508 Theory and Practice of Bilingual Education
- EDUC 616 Theory and Practice of Teaching English as a Second Language to Students with Disabilities
- EDUC 636 Methods and Materials of Teaching English as a Second Language through the Content Area
- EDUC 561 Ltrcy Instctn Stdnts Dsbls