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Individuals with a bachelor’s degree now have a unique opportunity to launch a teaching career in less than a year, thanks to an ongoing partnership between HFM BOCES and Utica University.
The Teacher Apprenticeship Program is designed to address New York State’s shortage of certified educators by offering a fast-tracked pathway to the classroom. Through Utica University’s Transitional B program, qualified candidates can earn their teaching certification in just eight months and begin working as a teacher of record by September 2026.
Individuals who have completed an undergraduate bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in the following areas can apply to begin their master’s in teaching starting in January: Earth Science, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Math, Spanish, French, English, Social Studies, Technology, Humanities and Liberal Arts.
Qualified teacher candidate applicants will also be able to apply for scholarships and additional funding opportunities. Full scholarships are available to a limited number of applicants which will cover living expenses, coursework materials, and miscellaneous fees.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Transitional B program is designed to address the severe and ongoing shortage of certified teachers across the state. In response, NYSED has agreed to award qualified graduate teacher education candidates a Transitional B Teaching Certificate. According to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, New York State continues to face a significant teacher workforce shortage, driven in part by a wave of anticipated retirements. The state needs approximately 180,000 new teachers over the next decade to meet workforce needs.
Interested candidates should submit an application of interest by November 1 at https://bit.ly/TeacherApprenticeshipProgram. Applications received by October 15 will be granted priority consideration.
Selected applicants will be invited to interview with local school districts and may receive conditional acceptance into the program through Utica University.
