College Recommendation for Certification
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). After being recommended, applicants will be able to apply for a certificate through the Approved Teacher Preparation Program 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 Proof of Workshop Completion below),
- fill out the program completer survey,
- click the submit button (“Teacher Certification” is the assessor).
Anthology Submission Instructions
For assistance with Anthology Portfolio please contact anthologyqcsupport@qc.cuny.edu
- Students in programs not using Anthology Portfolio i.e. Bilingual Extension and Library Media Specialist-Certified Teachers programs: submit the following College Recommendation Request Form.
- Alumni 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): submit the following College Recommendation Request Form.
College Recommendation Request Submission Periods and Recommendation Timeline
| Term | Submission Period | Degree Conferral Date | Recommendation expected by |
| Winter 2025 | November 15 – December 15 | February 1, 2025 | March 2025 |
| Spring 2025 | March 15 – May 10 | June 1, 2025 | August 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | June 15 – August 1 | September 1, 2025 | October 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | November 15 – December 15 | January 1, 2026 | February 2026 |
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 the degree or advanced certificate has been awarded. For more information see Degree Audit and Conferral below.
Proof of Workshop Completion
To show proof of completion of the 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.
For information on the NYS required workshops click here.
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: June 1
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
- To check if the college recommendation has been entered on your TEACH account go to TEACH Home → Account Information → College Recommendations.
- After the college recommendation has been entered you can apply for certification via the Approved Teacher Preparation Program application pathway.
- Student application information & program codes can be found here: qc.cuny.edu/academics/se/tcert-program-codes
- 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.
For questions about your application contact the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives: highered.nysed.gov/tcert/contact
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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