Frequently asked questions about the PACE Program.
1. What is T.E.A.M?
2. What are the benefits of acquiring your M.S. Ed. from PACE University through the T.E.A.M. organization?
3. I want to work in the field of Special Ed. quickly. Must I wait until I graduate?
6. How do I know if my B.A. or Yeshiva Degree is accepted for entry at PACE?
7. Can I apply for financial aid at PACE in addition to getting the T.E.A.M. Scholarship?
8. Is any coursework done through T.E.A.M. in this PACE program?
9. If I currently have a teaching position, may I use my job for the student teaching requirement as I take PACE courses?
10. If I am a teaching assistant, may I use this experience for my student teaching requirement?
11. Must I complete my student teaching experience in a public school?
12. What grade settings must my field experience and observations be completed in?
14. May I complete my field experience observations and student teaching over the summer?
15. I would like to enroll at PACE through T.E.A.M. I understand that classes start in September, 2014.
How do I begin?
1. What is T.E.A.M?
- T.E.A.M. is a unique Education-Workshop organization created by educators for educators.
- T.E.A.M. offers a special support for students in the Jewish community and organizes cohort groups for the PACE University Childhood and Special Education M.S. Ed.
2. What are the benefits of acquiring your M.S. Ed. from PACE University through the T.E.A.M. organization?
- PACE University is one of the most prestigious schools in New York. Students who graduate from top Tier schools are hired 1st for and are more skilled then others.
- 25% off tuition. That translates to over $14,000 in instant savings! *(based on 2013 PACE tuition rates)
- Special Monday evening scheduling. You only go to class one evening a week!
- Special T.E.A.M. support services and guidance.
3. I want to work in the field of Special Ed. quickly. Must I wait until I graduate?
- You do not have to wait.
- Upon successful completion of half of the PACE program (24 credits), you will be eligible for an internship certificate if you are able to show that a school would like to hire you. This certificate enables you to work while you complete your second half.
- The PACE University Childhood and Special Education (birth - 2nd grade) allows graduates immediate eligibility for early childhood to grade 2 both childhood and Special Education Settings. (two certifications and degrees in one!) No other courses will be needed for graduation.
- Once you have completed the PACE Program, you will be recommended for N.Y. State Certified in TWO specific areas:
- Childhood (birth - 2nd grade)
- Special Education (birth - 2nd grade)
- PACE University is one of the most prestigious colleges in New York. When you apply for a job, the place that you got your degree from holds weight and PACE University is a top tier school.
- PACE University is also ranked as one of the 2013 best colleges in the U.S. News and World report College Rankings. Click here to learn more.
6. How do I know if my B.A. or Yeshiva Degree is accepted for entry at PACE?
- PACE only accepts coursework and degrees from accredited colleges and university's in the U.S.
- Students with other types of credentials (like a Yeshiva B.A.) should call our office at (347) 560-TEAM for a personal T.E.A.M. B.A. consultation session so we can help you make your credits acceptable.
7. Can I apply for financial aid at PACE in addition to getting the T.E.A.M. Scholarship?
- Yes! PACE University believes strongly that education is a lifetime investment. Their office of student financial assistance has a variety of financial resources available to students.
- They work very hard to provide the best information on how to apply for financial aid, types of aid available, and other relevant information.
- There are three main areas of financial assistance in addition to the instant 25% tuition scholarship.
- For more information please visit the PACE Financial Aid Homepage.
8. Is any coursework done through T.E.A.M. in this PACE program?
- Pace University’s School of Education will provide ALL coursework and all academic services.
- Upon completion of the PACE Degree, PACE will issue all documentation.
9. If I currently have a teaching position, may I use my job for the student teaching requirement as I take PACE courses?
- YES! However, the following criteria must be met met. (NOTE: this is done AFTER the first year of the program, so you will have a full year before the information below is required.)
- Completion of 18 credits of coursework in your program
- Completion 70 hours of fieldwork
- Passing scores on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and the Content Specialty Test (CST) in the subject area
- Completion of the Child Abuse and Violence Prevention Workshops
- School of Employment (where you plan to work in your second year) is registered with New York State Teaching in:
- Childhood Setting (grades 1-6) - for the grades 1-6 M.S. Ed. degree seekers.
- Childhood Setting (birth - 2nd grade) - for the birth - 2nd grade M.S. Ed. degree seekers.
- If ‘yes’ to all the above, you will need to provide a letter from your Principal or other authorized hiring official on school letterhead stating that you are employed as a full-time teacher and you can complete you student teaching assignment in this position/setting. In addition, the Principal must agree to or appoint a certified teacher to serve as your mentor.
10. If I am a teaching assistant, may I use this experience for my student teaching requirement?
- The role of a student teacher and the role of teaching assistant are different. In order to complete student teaching, a teaching assistant must be freed up from his/her ordinary duties to fulfill the obligations of student teaching (during the 2nd and final year of the program). These tasks include (but are not limited to) lesson planning, providing direct instruction to the whole class, working with students in small groups, attending teacher conference days, and communicating with parents. In short, a student teacher must, over the 14 week period, be able to assume all the duties of a classroom teacher. In addition, the following criteria must be met:
- Completion of 18 credits of coursework in your program
- Completion of 70 hours of fieldwork
- Passing scores on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and the Content Specialty Test (CST) in the subject area
- Completion of the Child Abuse and Violence Prevention Workshops
- School of Employment is registered with New York State
- Placement in Childhood Setting that is:
- Childhood Setting (grades 1-6) - for the grades 1-6 M.S. Ed. degree seekers
- Childhood Setting (birth - 2nd grade) - for the birth - 2nd grade M.S. Ed. degree seekers
- If ‘yes’ to all the above, and your employer will allow you to complete these duties and still employ you as a teaching assistant, he or she must provide you with a letter attesting to that. In such a case, your request to use your work setting as a student teaching placement will be reviewed.
11. Must I complete my student teaching experience in a public school?
- Student teaching can be completed in a several types of school settings—public, private or parochial. However, the student teaching placement must be approved by Pace University Director of School Partnership, who will determine if setting is appropriate.
- Please note that not all religious holidays are observed in all school settings and should be with discussed with the Director of School Partnerships and school personnel. Additional requirements for student teaching in a public school setting are:
- Proof of required immunization, including a negative tuberculin test
- Proof of fingerprint clearance
12. What grade settings must my field experience and observations be completed in?
- The first 70+ hours must be completed in the setting of your degree program because the program will lead to childhood education certification EITHER grade 1-6 OR birth - 2nd grade level. At least 20 of those hours must be completed in a setting that serves students with disabilities (inclusive classroom, resource room, self-contained setting).
- So:
- if you are in the Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6) your first 70+ hours must be in a Childhood Setting (grades 1-6) setting.
- if you are in the Childhood and Special Education (birth - 2nd grade) your first 70+ hours must be in a Childhood Setting (birth - 2nd grade) setting.
- This is the best part. You can choose EITHER M.S.Ed cohort group. After you graduate you will only have the option of taking TWO or THREE courses in the chosen field to get certified in that area since you will already have your Masters Degree.
- Example:
- If you graduate with a Childhood Setting (birth - 2nd grade), you can take two or three additional courses and will then be certified in (Grades 1-6) as well!
- If you graduate with a Childhood Setting (Grades 1-6), you can take two or three additional courses and will then be certified in (birth - 2nd grade) as well!
14. May I complete my field experience observations and student teaching over the summer?
- Yes, It is possible to complete field observations over the summer depending on the summer school curriculum and setting and permission of the Director of School Partnerships. Student teaching cannot be completed over the summer.
- Some aspects of the practicum in teaching students with disabilities may be completed during the summer, with the permission of the Director of School Partnerships.
15. I would like to enroll at PACE through T.E.A.M. I understand that classes start in September, 2014.
How do I begin?
- Simply fill out the registration form and pay the $77.00 T.E.A.M. registration fee by clicking here or call our office at (347) 560-TEAM.
- Upon T.E.A.M. registration, students will be coded as a T.E.A.M cohort group participant.
- This application process is the first step into the PACE program. It DOES NOT guarantee admission to PACE university. PACE will make the final decision on individual student acceptance upon their receiving all personal paperwork and transcripts from the student.
- Should a student not be accepted to PACE University, T.E.A.M. will fully refund the $77.00 TEAM registration fee.