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Why come to Bank Street?
What is Bank Street's national reputation?
Our alumni are teaching and/or leading in educational institutions all across America and throughout the world. Bank Street's Graduate School stands as one of the most notable producers of educational talent in the country. We are proud of our exceptionally high placement rate for our graduates, who are sought after by quality schools, museums, hospitals and other educational settings.
Bank Street has been nationally recognized by the Carnegie Foundation and by the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future as one of the premiere institutions of teacher education in the United States.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are accepted and admissions decisions are made throughout the year. However, there are priority deadlines: March 1 for summer or fall admission (or Monday, March 3, in 2008); November 1 for spring admission.
What is the tuition?
The current (2007-2008) tuition is $1010 per credit.
Do you require GRE scores?
No. We do not use GRE scores in our admissions process.
Do I need an undergraduate major in Education?
No. For programs that lead to teaching certification, New York State requires that applicants have a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences. Some programs require additional prior certifications or teaching experience. All programs require that students already have a bachelor's degree. Please see individual program descriptions for specific details.
What is the program essay?
The program essay is a piece of the application process that applicants usually complete at Bank Street. This essay may be completed at the Admissions Office anytime between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. (You may also complete the essay after business hours, as long as the building is open; contact the Admissions Office to make arrangements.) Allow about an hour and a half to complete the essay. Applicants who are invited to have an admissions interview need to complete the program essay before the interview.
This essay is used to evaluate your spontaneous writing skills, and it is used by the degree program to gain additional information about your assumptions and your sense of the field.
Occasionally, at the discretion of the program, applicants who live at a distance from the College may be able to arrange to have a phone interview and to have an alternative plan for completing the program essay.
May I defer my admission?
Yes. After acceptance, you may defer your admission for up to one year. Please send a letter to the Admissions Office, outlining your plans. You will still need to pay the admissions deposit of $250.
Do you accept transfer credits?
With program director approval, students may transfer in up to six graduate credits, provided the courses either match ones required for the program at Bank Street or are used as elective credit.
Can I take courses if I am not in a program?
If you are a college graduate, you are welcome to register for a course or two at Open Registration. If you are later accepted into a degree program, the course(s) will automatically be applied towards your degree, provided the courses are a required or elective option in your program. However, you should apply for admission before completing six credits, because admission to Bank Street is not guaranteed.
Do Bank Street degree programs lead to certification?
Yes, most of our programs lead to New York State certification. See the detailed program descriptions for specific information.
Can I apply to more than one program at a time?
You must choose one program for your initial application.
What is the advisement process for which Bank Street is known?
During your program (usually in the first or second year, but always while taking courses), you will do your student teaching three to five days a week, gaining direct experience under the guidance of your faculty advisor. Your advisor will visit your fieldwork site once a month for half a day, and will meet with you individually twice a month to conference with you about your ongoing development as a professional.
In addition, you will be in a small conference group consisting of 5 to 7 graduate students and your faculty advisor. As a group you will meet weekly to discuss issues and exchange ideas as you work to integrate theory and practice. Through this sharing of insights with other students and your advisor, you will learn to solve problems, evaluate strategies, and define and refine values.
For more information, see this detailed description of Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement.
I am a classroom teacher. Do I have to leave my job to do supervised fieldwork?
Usually you will be able to use your own classroom for your fieldwork setting for supervised fieldwork/ advisement, as long as your classroom setting is appropriate for the program to which you have applied, you have the support of your principal or school director to have your Bank Street advisor work with you at the school, and your classroom is accessible to your Bank Street advisor.
Students in our programs leading to certification as a School Building Leader may use their own schools as the setting for the supervised fieldwork/ advisement as long as they have the approval and support of their principal or school director.
What is your alternate route program?
Our alternate pathway to New York State certification in teaching is through the Internship Certificate Credential. Here is a brief explanation of how this route is different from the traditional route: Students enrolled in traditional master's degree programs do not earn initial New York State certification until they have completed their master's degree. A student who chooses to earn a master's degree through the Internship Certificate Credential may be able to earn a temporary certification and begin teaching in a public school after successfully completing only one half of the credits in a master's degree program. The student then has two additional years in which to complete the master's degree and earn full certification. For more information, see the Internship Certificate Credential information page.
Can you please tell me more about living in New York?
Sure. New York is a wonderful place to live, with world-famous cultural institutions, the best theatre in the world, and a vibrant, constant buzz of excitement. Please visit our Web section on Living in New York to learn more.
Does Bank Street provide housing for students?
While Bank Street does not offer any housing, we do offer resources on finding Housing in New York City.
Who can study at Bank Street?
Students planning to attend Bank Street full-time should come into the United States on an F-1 visa. However, nonimmigrants coming to Bank Street on other visa types (except for B and F-2 visas) may pursue studies here as a "secondary activity."
Can international students work on campus?
Yes, F-1 visa students may work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school year.
If you have any other questions, contact us through gradcourses@bankstreet.edu or call us at 212-875-4404.