Details at a Glance
- Online: 100% asynchronous
- Calendar: Traditional semesters
- Enrollment: 3–15 credits per sem
- Eligibility: Associate degree or equivalent coursework, minimum 3.0 GPA
- Launch: Fall 2026
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Finish Your Degree. Earn Your Certification. Change Lives.
SUNY Fredonia offers the most direct path to NYS teacher certification for students with associate degrees or equivalent credits. Our AAQEP-accredited programs deliver rigorous online coursework, extensive classroom experience, and expert mentorship that prepares you for certification and long-term success. Whether you choose Childhood Education (Grades 1–6) or Early Childhood/Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 6), you'll graduate ready to make an impact.
Designed for students who:
- Want New York State teacher certification
- Have an associate degree in education or equivalent coursework
- Are seeking high-quality education at a low SUNY tuition rate for NYS residents
- Are working professionals or teaching assistants seeking flexible online learning without giving up hands-on classroom experience
You’ll complete your coursework online, gain meaningful experience in real classrooms, and graduate prepared for recommendation for New York State teacher certification—not reciprocity, not extra steps, and not out-of-state detours.
Childhood Education (Grades 1–6)
- 122 total credit hours
- Students complete 60 credits through SUNY Fredonia
- Includes 14 credits of in-person practicum and student teaching
Early Childhood/Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 6)
- 126 total credit hours
- Students complete 63 credits through SUNY Fredonia
- Includes 14 credits of in-person practicum and student teaching
- Leads to dual certification, expanding employment opportunities
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is evaluated individually to maximize prior coursework. It is only possible to complete the last two years online if the students have already completed their general education requirements.
Meet Ryan Perry
Ryan is a Math Education major at SUNY Fredonia. Through early, hands-on classroom experiences at local high schools, Ryan has worked directly with students in pre-algebra and geometry—applying what he learns in real classrooms, not just textbooks.
“Fredonia has really reassured me that this is what I want to do with the rest of my life,” Ryan says. “I don’t want to be just a math guy—I want to be in the classroom helping kids become math people.”
Favorite experience?
Getting into classrooms early and often. “Being able to get that hands-on experience really cemented that this is what I want to do—rather than getting four years down the road and realizing it isn’t for me.”
What Makes Fredonia Different?
Direct Path to NYS Teacher Certification
Our AAQEP-accredited programs lead to direct recommendation for New York State certification—no reciprocity applications, no out-of-state workarounds, no extra steps. You'll graduate ready to teach in New York classrooms immediately.
Affordable SUNY Quality
Pay low SUNY tuition rates for NYS residents while earning a respected degree that meets rigorous national accreditation standards. Quality teacher preparation shouldn't require overwhelming debt.
Dual Certification Option
The Early Childhood/Childhood Education program (Birth–Grade 6) provides dual certification, dramatically expanding your employment opportunities across age groups and grade levels.
Built for Working Professionals
Complete coursework asynchronously around your work and family schedule. Teaching assistants and paraprofessionals can continue working while building toward certification.
What You'll Gain
This program is designed to prepare you for certification, confident teaching, and long-term success in education.
- Recommendation for New York State teacher certification
- Extensive real-world classroom experience, not just theory
- Skills for inclusive, standards-based instruction
- Supervised teaching experiences with meaningful faculty feedback
- Preparation for long-term growth in education
- A respected SUNY degree with low-cost tuition for NYS residents
- Confidence to plan, teach, assess, and adapt in diverse classrooms
AAQEP National Accreditation
AAQEP national accreditation ensures your online education degree meets rigorous standards recognized by schools and state licensing boards nationwide, which is essential for teacher certification. This accreditation signals to employers that your program provides high-quality preparation, giving your online degree the same credibility as campus-based programs.
Complete coursework around work and family commitments