All Elementary Education and Reading teacher certification candidates who are applying for Initial Certification need to complete specific required seminars, as listed below.
On campus, the Office of Continuing Professional Studies offers all five seminars throughout the fall and spring semesters; visit their website at www.buffalostate.edu/continuingstudies/ for the current semester's schedule.
Child Abuse Identification & Reporting
Is offered by the Continuing Professional Studies Office; the fee for the seminar is $35. Register online.
The seminar may also be offered by the Center for Development of Human Services (876-7600), BOCES (630-4231) or may be taken online at http://www.nysna.org/.
SAVE (School Anti-Violence Education)
Is offered by the Continuing Professional Studies Office; the fee for the seminar is $35. To be taken before student teaching. Register online.
HIV/AIDS Education
Required by the department of Elementary Education and Reading. More information.
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Is offered by the Continuing Professional Studies Office; the fee for the seminar is $35. To be taken before student teaching. Register online.
Fire & Arson Safety
Is offered by the Continuing Professional Studies Office; the fee for the seminar is $35. To be taken before student teaching. Register online.
Fingerprinting*
All students should be fingerprinted before entering a classroom for the junior practicum course series, but absolutely prior to the student teaching semester. The most current fingerprinting information and materials are available from the Teacher Certification Office, CAUD 101.
Students may have their fingerprints taken at a NYS Police station, their local police station, or the University Police Department on campus. Students are advised to call in advance regarding the dates and times the service may be offered, as well as any fees charged for the service. The fee for rolling prints is separate from and in addition to the fee that must be submitted with the fingerprint packet to OSPRA (Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability), which is currently $94.25 and covers both the cost of running the fingerprints and performing a background check.
For more information, visit http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ospra/fpprocess.html
*When taking the NYS Teacher Certification Examinations, students are required to provide (on site) thumbprints. This is for test identification purposes only, is free, and is not a part of the SED fingerprint regulations.