College Recommendation Information
Students who complete a New York State registered educator preparation program, including the NYS required workshops, will be recommended for certification. The college recommendation is completed by the recommending institution using the TEACH Online Services system (it is an electronic entry, not a letter). The institution also provides applicants with student application information outlining all the information the student needs in order to apply for a certificate through the “Approved Teacher Preparation Program” application pathway. College recommended applicants must also satisfy the testing requirement and obtain fingerprint clearance before the certificate can be issued.
How to Submit a College Recommendation Request
Log-in to Anthology Portfolio and look for the Teacher Certification folder in your table of contents.
Follow the instructions to
- fill out the college recommendation request,
- upload proof of workshop completion (see below),
- fill out the completer survey,
- click the submit button,
- select “Teacher Certification” as the assessor.
Anthology Submission Instructions
For assistance with Anthology Portfolio please contact anthologyqcsupport@qc.cuny.edu
College Recommendation Request Submission Periods and Recommendation Timeline
| Term | Submission Period | Degree Conferral Date | Recommendation expected by |
| Fall 2024 | November 15 – December 15 | January 1, 2025 | February 2025 |
| Winter 2025 | November 15 – December 15 | February 1, 2025 | March 2025 |
| Spring 2025 | March 15 – May 10 | Date of Commencement | August 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | June 15 – August 1 | September 1, 2025 | October 2025 |
Anthology Portfolio submissions that are received prior to the appropriate submission period will be deleted.
The college cannot recommend students for certification until the Graduation Audit Unit (Registrar) completes its final degree audit and the degree or advanced certificate conferral is awarded on your transcript. The college recommendation will be entered on your TEACH Account within approximately 5 business days after your degree or advanced certificate has been awarded. For more information see Degree Audit and Conferral below.
Students in programs not using Anthology Portfolio i.e. Bilingual Extension and Library Media Specialist-Certified Teachers programs:
Please submit the following College Recommendation Request Form
Alumni – Graduates who previously completed an Approved Teacher Preparation Program at Queens College and were not recommended at the time of program completion (proof of workshop completion will be required):
Please submit the following College Recommendation Request Form
Proof of Workshop Completion
For information on the required workshops click here.
To show proof of completion of the required workshops you may upload any of the following:
- A screenshot or printout from your NYSED TEACH Account showing the completed workshops (see example below).
- Certificates of completion from NYSED approved workshop providers.
- A college transcript showing the completed workshops.
Social Security Number (TEACH Access Number)
The Social Security Number used to create your NYSED TEACH Online account is required to enter the College Recommendation. To prevent any delays in processing your College Recommendation, please confirm the correct number is on your CUNYFirst Account. For assistance updating your SSN on CUNYFirst contact the QC HUB – Registrar.
Students without a Social Security Number: Please enter your TEACH Access Number (TAN) on the college recommendation request form in place of the Social Security Number.
Degree Audit and Conferral
Degree conferral does NOT take place immediately upon completion of your program. After grades have been posted and the college’s grading process is complete, the Graduation Audit Unit will conduct the final degree audit and post the degree conferral on students’ transcripts. Only students who have met all requirements for graduation will be conferred. Your conferral date is the official graduation date on your transcript and diploma. Participating in the commencement ceremony does NOT mean your degree has been conferred.
Fall degree
Conferral Date: January 1
Winter degree
Conferral Date: February 1
Spring degree
Conferral Date: Date of Commencement
Summer degree
Conferral Date: September 1
The official audit is conducted by the Registrar Graduation Audit Unit, and supersedes all other indications that the student has completed all the degree requirements. The degree audit is the final step before degree conferral.
- Step 1: File for graduation via your CUNYfirst account. Please be aware of the application deadline.
Once complete your graduation status will be listed as “Applied for Graduation.”
- Step 2: Your student record will be reviewed for completion of the college’s general education requirements, pending the completion of the current semester’s coursework.
Once complete your graduation status will change to “Program in Review.”
- Step 3: Your student record will then be reviewed for major/minor specific requirements.
Once complete your graduation status will change to “Needs to Finish Pending Work.”
- Step 4: After grades have been posted to your account and the college’s grading process is complete, a final review of your application will be completed, and the graduation notation will be posted. Once complete your graduation status will change to “Degree Awarded.” Check your unofficial student transcript through Self Service > Academic Records to see your if degree has been “Awarded”.
Check your unofficial student transcript through Self Service > Academic Records to see your degree conferred.
This process cannot be expedited.
Apply for Certification
- Once the college recommendation has been entered on your TEACH account (to view go to TEACH Home → Account Information → College Recommendations), you can enter an application for certification.
- For student application information & program codes click here.
- To check the status of your application or view issued certificates go to TEACH Home → Account Information → Certificates.
College recommended applicants must also satisfy the testing requirement and obtain fingerprint clearance before the certificate can be issued.
* Please Note
- All students must apply for graduation on CUNYFirst (this includes students completing Advanced Certificate programs).
- The certification exams do not need to be completed in order to receive College Recommendation.
- The college cannot recommend you for certification until after the degree or advanced certificate is awarded on your transcript and you have completed the NYS required workshops.
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