Teaching Assistant Certificate

Why study to be a Teaching Assistants at FMCC

This one-year certificate program is designed to prepare students to work as Teaching Assistants, fulfilling the college credit hour requirement for New York State certification. This program also provides students with core education courses and a pathway to the two-year Early Childhood AAS program.

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Career Pathways

Our region boasts a wide variety of career opportunities for teaching assistant positions. The labor market and employer information are specifically presented for the Amsterdam, Gloversville, Capital District, and the Mohawk Valley regions. Salary information is based on estimates within the Capital District.

Teaching Assistants

MEDIAN SALARY

$29,502*

SALARY RANGE $25,951 - $38,429

Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction. (bls.gov)

Over 8,000 expected jobs in the region in the next 10 years. It is recommended that students utilize the Online Application System (OLAS) for educators when searching and applying for teaching assistant positions at www.olasjobs.org.

Salary information presented are estimates and can be different for each individual based on education, experience, and the specific employer.
Labor market data is based on 2021 estimates derived from Lightcast (Career Coach | Lightcast)

Some of Our Regional Employers

Our commitment to your career path goes beyond the classroom with continued expansion of hands-on internships, job shadowing, and job placement opportunities with over 50 regional business and organization exclusive partners, a career network of over 200 regional companies and organizations; plus Annual Job Fairs every Spring semester.

28 Credits

for Teaching Assistant Certificate

1 Year or Less

to complete your Teaching Assistant Certificate

8,000+

expected teaching assistant jobs in the region.

Program Insight

This certificate program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. Job prospects for teaching assistants are extremely favorable locally and across New York State.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Fulfill the college credit hour requirement for a New York State Level III Teaching Assistant Certificate through this program.

Program Features

Children’s Literacy Community Initiative
Every year Teaching Assistant students have the opportunity to participate in the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country through a community service book drive project.

Educational Incentive Program (EIP) Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity of up to $7,000 helps child care providers pay for training and educational activities with the intent to build provider knowledge, skills, and competencies in order to improve the quality of child care. Eligibility and application information can be found at: PDP - EIP, Educational Incentive Program (albany.edu).

Course Highlights

Course Catalog

SUNY FMCC offers its catalog online in a downloadable PDF document that makes information on programs, courses and policies most current and accessible, while reducing impact on the environment. Additional information is available on the College’s website and portal. To read and search the FMCC Catalog, you’ll need Adobe Reader version 7.0 or later.

2024-2025 FMCC CATALOG

Program Course Layout

Designed with job-readiness in mind, this certificate program focuses on foundational education courses in addition to a variety of general education coursework. Here are just some examples.

EDU 175 Foundations of Education

This course is designed as a comprehensive introduction to the historical, sociological, and philosophical foundations of education. Students examine the social purposes of education in historical and contemporary contexts; explore the study of education through the academic disciplines of sociology, history, and philosophy; examine the significance of social differences (class, culture, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion) for education; develop and express a personal philosophy of education; and more!

EDU 201 Introduction to Teaching

This course will include the following topics: professionalism, observation techniques, behavior management, time management, placement preparation, a code of ethics, portfolio preparation, and career exploration. It is anticipated that students will achieve the Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting certification requirement, while in this class.

PSY 210 Childhood Psychology

A study of the person, from conception to adolescence, including the cognitive, physical, emotional, moral, and social phases of development.