Teaching Assistant
Certificate
Be the positive role model and mentor children need to thrive. Discover the difference you can make as you develop classroom management and instructional design skills. Earn your Teaching Assistant certificate and begin working in a K-12 classroom in as little as one year.
Career Outlook: Teaching Assistants
Teaching assistants play an essential support role in schools, childcare centers, and other educational facilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the demand for teaching assistants to grow 9% by 2030. Teaching assistants who work in New York earn an average annual salary of $40,000-$45,000, depending on certification level and student grade level. Becoming a certified teaching assistant is also a convenient first step in gaining the confidence and experience to advance into teaching careers with increased pay and responsibilities.
Certificate Program Overview
Help students learn effectively in a classroom environment by providing individualized support. Practice developing differentiated lesson plans for diverse student populations. Learn how to monitor student progress and reinforce classroom objectives. Develop strategies that ensure students with learning differences and disabilities have equitable access to education.
Career-focused assignments prepare you for the job market. Our coursework includes resume and cover letter writing and opportunities to complete a mock interview. Graduate with the materials you need to start a career in education.
Our Teaching Assistant Certificate is 100% Online
FLCC's Teaching Assistant certificate program is offered exclusively online. This online format provides a convenient and flexible way to earn your education. Study on your time and from a location that fits your busy schedule. Find out more about online degree programs.
Course Highlight: EDU 101 and 102 Teacher Assistant I and II
Two core courses prepare you to work as a teaching assistant in New York's public education system. These courses focus on school regulations, adolescent development, classroom management, instructional design, and the history of education. Gain practical experience in adapting information for various learning styles while developing your own teaching philosophy. Familiarize yourself with common core standards, state testing requirements, and other school procedures that impact the daily lives of students.
Earn Your NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate
Prepare for the New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) and become a Level I certified teaching assistant immediately upon graduation. Our 24-credit program surpasses the NYS education requirements for the Level III certification, which you'll earn after one year of experience as a teaching assistant. Find out more about New York State Teaching Assistant Certificates.
Our faculty can also help you find and schedule the three state-required workshops all teaching assistants must complete before working in a public K-12 classroom. These include:
- Child Abuse Identification Workshop
- School Violence Intervention and Prevention Workshop
- DASA Training — Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Discrimination in Schools: Prevention and Intervention
"I learned a lot of different teaching styles and methods. We'd talk about how to get the children engaged: What incentives do you use to help the kids learn? What would you like your class to look like? How would you run that class? We bounced ideas off one another. It was an eye-opening experience to take what I learned at FLCC and put it to use in the classroom."
— Samantha Hoover, '22
Certificate Program Outcomes
Career Pathways
Gain the skills and credentials you need to work as a teaching assistant or paraprofessional in a New York K-12 public school. These skills are also valuable for careers in childcare centers and private schools, where knowing how students learn is essential to providing a high quality education.
Seamless Transfer Opportunities
If you're interested in continuing your education, you may transfer into our A.A. Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) program or the A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences program. These associate degree programs will put you on the path to becoming a certified teacher or a professional in the social sciences.
Our transfer-friendly A.A. programs help you start earning credits toward a four-year degree. Some regional four-year schools with education programs include:
- Keuka College
- Nazareth College
- Roberts Wesleyan University
- St. John Fisher University
- SUNY Brockport
- SUNY Geneseo
- SUNY Cortland
- SUNY Oswego
By earning your Teaching Assistant certificate first you can start working in a classroom as you pursue an advanced degree.
Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities
Earn a quality education at an affordable rate. With our low cost-per-credit and general scholarship opportunities, you can maximize your potential with minimal debt. 80% of students are awarded scholarships or financial aid that help with the cost of college.
Faculty
Our Teaching Assistant faculty have a wide range of practical and professional expertise in the education industry. Your instructors have decades of experience teaching in public K-12 classrooms and many years' experience training other teachers for careers in education. They are passionate about education and eager to share their knowledge of teaching and learning with you.
Mandatory Professional Licensure Disclosures:
SUNY's academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed New York State requirements. Other states may have their own requirements. If your goal is to practice in another state, please review that state's requirements. View professional licensure disclosures.
Explore Your Career Options
Map out a path toward your future career, and discover opportunities related to this area of study.