CNY Alternative Teacher Certification Program
The Central New York Alternative Teacher Certification Program (CNY ATC) is a fully grant-funded program that offers an innovative pathway to NYS Initial Teacher Certification. It is designed for individuals that have at least 40 college credits and are currently working in classroom settings.
The application process is entirely online. We encourage applicants to review the checklist below to prepare for the upcoming application period.
Application Checklist (2025–2026)
Application Open: January 6, 2026
Application Close: February 9, 2026
⬇ Download the Application Checklist (PDF)
✔ Tips
✔ Obtain all unofficial college transcripts (including college credit earned in high school)
✔ Review the requirement application materials (Below)
✔ Obtain three professional/academic letters of recommendation Prior to beginning the application
✔ Ensure all files open correctly (PDF preferred)
✔ Ensure that your files clearly labeled (e.g., LastName_Resume.pdf)
✔ Review all your responses for accuracy
✔ Draft short-answer responses in a separate document before pasting them into the application.
✔ Create a folder to store all your application materials in, for easier access.
✔ Set a calendar reminder the Applications close February 9, 2026
✔ Add CNYATC@cortland.edu to your email contacts
✔ Check for follow-up emails regularly (spam folder too)
Notes: You will be able to go back and adjust your answers and upload additional information if
needed- Please do not complete a separate application
✔ Required Application Materials
✔ Letters of Recommendation
✔ Your letters must be uploaded and submitted through the online application form.
✔ Your letters of Recommendation should speak to your professionalism, communication,
reliability, and potential as an educator.
✔ Your letters should be from a current/past supervisor or academic instructor/college
professor.
✔ Current Resume
Your resume should include.....
✔ Your education history
✔ Your current and previous employment experiences
✔ Any relevant skills certifications
✔ Any volunteer or school-based experience (if applicable)
✔ College Transcripts
✔ You will need to upload any and all unofficial transcripts to the online application
✔ Unofficial transcripts will be used to review your current/previous coursework and should include the institution name, coursework, GPA, and the degree earned (if applicable).
✔ Personal information and Education
- In the online application form, you will be asked to provide....
✔ Your personal information (Name, Address, Phone Number)
✔ Your highest level of Education
✔ The subject area of any current or previous degrees
✔ Employment and Teaching Experiences
- In the online application form, you will be asked to provide....
✔Your current place of employment (Name and address of your employer)
✔Your current position
✔ Description of your job duties and responsibilities
✔ If you work in a school, the school district that you work in.
✔ If applicable, the subject(s)/grade(s) of the classrooms you work in
✔Your experiences working with students in school settings
✔ The areas and dates of any substitute teaching
✔ Your experiences leading instruction in a classroom
and what you have learned from those experiences.
✔ Your Interest in the CNY ATC Program
- In the online application form, you will be asked....
✔Why are you interested in becoming a teacher through the CNY ATC Program
✔ The field you are interested in teaching in
✔What your long term career goals are, following completion of the program
Notes: Short answer questions are intended to give us a clearer picture of who you are. It is
strongly recommended to complete the short answer questions in a separate
document and then copy and paste your answers into the application form once
completed.
✔ District Endorsement
✔If you plan to seek an endorsement for your application from a building, or district leader,
you will be asked to provide their name, title, and email address in the application
✔ The CNY ATC Program will send an endorsement form directly to this person.
It is strongly recommended that you inform the listed leader that you are applying to the
program and let them know that they will be receiving an endorsement request from
CNY ATC.
Notes:
- Districts will be asked to complete the form, even if they are unable to endorse.
- District Endorsement is not required for candidates to apply- Preference however, will be given to candidates that have district
Committed to Expanding Access
The CNY ATC is committed to expanding access to teacher certification in the region. Applications will open January 6, 2026. Please click the box and complete the form below to be added to our notification list for future opportunities and updates.
