AMENDMENT OF THE RULES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Pursuant to sections 101, 207, 210, 215, 305, 1004, 1004-a, 3001, 3004, 3009, 5001, 5002, and 7409 of the Education Law and 84 FR 58834-58933.
1. Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of section 3.29 of the Rules of the Board of Regents is amended to read as follow:
(3) such corporation possesses full and current accreditation [by an appropriate regional collegiate accrediting association acceptable to the commissioner] from an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education;
2. Subdivision (b) of section 13.10 of the Rules of the Board of Regents is amended to read as follows:
(b) be accredited by [an appropriate nationally recognized regional accrediting association] institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or have such other equivalent recognition of educational quality as may be determined sufficient by the Commissioner of Education.
3. Subdivision (m) of section 52.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(m) In accordance with the provisions of section 224 of the Education Law, the approval of the commissioner may be granted to a person, firm, association, or corporation to advertise in the State a college degree granted by an institution located outside of the State, provided that such institution is recognized as a candidate for accreditation by [the appropriate regional association] an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, is accredited by a specialized accrediting association recognized by the United States Commissioner of Education, or, in the judgment of the New York State Commissioner of Education, meets the standards of quality set forth in section 52.2 of this Part.
4. Clause (ii) of subitem (1) of item (b) of subparagraph (xvii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) The program shall require candidates to hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees. Candidates shall have achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, or its equivalent, in the program leading to the baccalaureate or graduate degree, or shall have been found by an officer designated by the registered alternative teacher certification program to have the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete the program, which finding shall be in writing and include the basis for that finding.
5. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 70.9 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) any courses taken for academic credit at a [regionally accredited] college or university that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, as reflected on an official transcript, and that fall within one or more of the recognized subject areas;
6. Paragraph (31) of subdivision (b) of section 80-1.1(b)(31) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(31) Recognized means approved by the Commissioner of Education or by an [approved regional or national accrediting agency] institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education.
7. The opening paragraph of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 80-1.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) A candidate who: (i) completes a student teaching or similar clinical experience during the Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 terms while enrolled in a program registered pursuant to section 52.21 of this Title and could not complete their teacher performance assessment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, as determined by the dean or his/her designee overseeing the candidate's program; (ii) completes a student teaching or similar clinical experience during the 2020-2021 academic year while enrolled in a program registered pursuant to section 52.21 of this Title; (iii) completes a student teaching experience during the 2020-2021 academic year while enrolled in a substantially equivalent teacher education program at [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, from another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia that leads to certification in the title and type of certificate sought in the jurisdiction where the higher education institution is located; or (iv) completes the teaching experience requirement for certification through the individual evaluation pathway during the 2020-2021 academic year, may either:
8. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved by the department and shall have completed in addition/or including six semester hours of professional education appropriate to the function of the school attendance teacher.
9. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved by the department, and in addition shall have completed 30 semester hours of approved graduate study in the field of school counseling, including supervised practice in guidance.
10. Paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(2) Permanent certificate. The candidate shall have completed, in addition to the requirements for the provisional certificate, two years of school experience in the field of pupil personnel services and a four-year program of preparation culminating in a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved by the department. Within the total program of preparation, the candidate shall have completed 18 semester hours of professional education appropriate to the function of the school dental hygienist.
11. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved by the department, including six semester hours of study in professional education appropriate to the function of the school nurse-teacher.
12. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved by the department, and shall have completed in addition 60 semester hours of graduate study, including a college-supervised internship in the field of school psychology.
13. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved by the department, and in addition shall have completed 30 semester hours of graduate study, including a supervised internship, in the field of social work.
14. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Preparation. The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree, based upon a four-year program of collegiate preparation, from [a regionally accredited higher institution] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved or registered by the department, and shall have completed in addition 60 semester hours of graduate study and an approved administrative/supervisory internship under the supervision of a practicing school administrator and of a representative of the sponsoring institution of higher education. Within the total program of preparation, the candidate shall have been awarded a master's degree. These 60 semester hours shall include 24 semester hours of graduate study in the field of school administration and supervision. An internship experience carrying graduate credit may be included within the 60-semester-hour program. One year of satisfactory full-time experience in a school administrative or supervisory position may be substituted for the internship.
15. The opening paragraph of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-2.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Provisional certificate. The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree, based upon a four-year program of collegiate preparation from [a regionally accredited higher institution] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved or registered by the department, and shall have completed in addition 30 semester hours of graduate study and an approved administrative/supervisory internship under the supervision of a practicing school administrator and of a representative of the sponsoring institution of higher education. These 30 semester hours shall include 18 semester hours of graduate study in the field of school administration and supervision.
16. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 80-2.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Permanent certificate. The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree, based upon a four year program of preparation, from [a regionally accredited higher education institution] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution approved or registered by the department, and shall have completed 60 semester hours of graduate study and an approved administrative/supervisory internship under the supervision of a practicing school administrator and a representative of the sponsoring institution of higher education. Within the total program of preparation, the candidate shall have been awarded a master's degree. These 60 semester hours shall include 24 semester hours of graduate study in the field of school administration and supervision. An internship experience carrying graduate credit may be included within the 60-semester-hour program. One year of satisfactory full-time experience as the chief business official of a school district may be substituted for the internship.
17. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Educaiton is amended to read as follows:
(1) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department, and shall have completed within, or in addition to, that degree: 12 semester hours of study in professional education, a college-supervised practicum in the area of certification for which an application is filed, and 24 semester hours of study appropriate to teaching special education, the deaf and hearing-impaired, the blind and partially sighted, or 36 semester hours of study appropriate to teaching the speech- and hearing-handicapped.
18. Clause (b) of subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-2.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(b) six semester hours of undergraduate coursework from an institution of higher education with programs registered pursuant to Part 52 of this Title or [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, which must be in the following subjects: classroom management; literacy education; and the development of knowledge, understanding, and skills for working with general education teachers in terms of the impact of speech, language, and hearing disabilities on learning in the general curriculum areas of the State learning standards for students, which are prescribed in Part 100 of this Title; or
19. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Educaiton is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Alternative completion of requirements. A provisional certificate will be issued upon evidence that the candidate has completed 24 semester hours of graduate study in reading and a college-supervised practicum in reading, and holds a master's degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer such degrees and the programs of which are registered by the department. The department will recognize the successful completion of one or more parts of the two-part graduate-level college proficiency examination in reading as equivalent to up to 15 semester hours of graduate study in reading. One year of paid, full-time experience as a reading teacher on the elementary and/or secondary level may be accepted in lieu of the college-supervised practicum in reading when such experience is verified by the employing school district administrator.
20. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department; and shall have completed within, or in addition to that degree, 36 semester hours of study in school media or school media (library) or school media (educational communications), 12 semester hours of study in professional education, and a college-supervised practicum in school media, school media (library) or school media (educational communications).
21. Clause (a) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees whose programs are registered by the department;
22. Clause (a) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.12 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department;
23. Clause (a) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-2.13 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department;
24. Subdivision (1) of section (a) of section 80-2.14 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Preparation. The candidate shall have completed a four-year program of collegiate preparation, including the baccalaureate degree at [a regionally accredited higher institution] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or by a higher institution approved by the New York State Education Department. The collegiate study shall include:
25. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Education. The candidate shall meet the education requirement by holding a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department, and shall satisfactorily complete a program registered pursuant to section 52.21 of this Title, which leads to the certificate sought, or its equivalent.
26. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Education. The candidate shall meet the education requirement through satisfactory completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from [a regionally accredited] higher education institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or an equivalently approved higher education institution as determined by the department.
27. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a baccalaureate from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.
28. Subclause (1) of clause (c) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department. The candidate shall have completed a graduate major in the subject of the certificate sought, or in a related field approved by the department for this purpose.
29. Clause (a) of subparagraph (xiii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a graduate degree in the area of a certificate title sought or in a closely related subject area acceptable to the department from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department. The candidate shall have completed a graduate major in the subject of the certificate sought, or in a related field approved by the department for this purpose.
30. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess an associate or higher degree in the subject of the certificate title from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution of higher education authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.
31. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess an associate degree or its equivalent in the subject of the certificate title sought from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution of higher education authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.
32. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a bachelor's degree or higher, in the subject of the certificate title sought from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution of higher education authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.
33. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess an associate or higher degree in the subject of the certificate title from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.
34. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a bachelor's or higher degree in the subject of the certificate title from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the department.
35. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.9 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) six semester hours of undergraduate or graduate coursework from an institution of higher education with programs registered pursuant to Part 52 of this Title or [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, which may be completed prior to the candidate obtaining the initial certificate and which must be in the following subjects: classroom management; literacy education; and the development of knowledge, understanding, and skills for working with general education teachers in terms of the impact of speech, language, and hearing disabilities on learning in the general curriculum areas of the State learning standards for students, which are prescribed in Part 100 of this Title; or
36. Clause (b) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.11 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(b) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from [a regionally accredited] higher education institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or an equivalently approved higher education institution as determined by the department.
37. Clause (b) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.11 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(b) The candidate shall hold a master's degree or higher in school counseling from [a regionally accredited] higher education institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or an equivalently approved higher education institution as determined by the department or hold an advanced certificate of study from a registered program pursuant to section 52.21(d)(3) of this Part.
38. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.12 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a baccalaureate degree from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the Department.
39. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.12 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Degree completion. The candidate shall possess a master's degree or higher from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the Department.
40. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.16 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Education. The candidate shall meet the education requirement by satisfactorily completing a master's or higher degree program in speech-language pathology accredited by the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education in the U.S. or its territories or from an institution of higher education authorized by the Regents to confer degrees and whose programs are registered by the Department.
41. Subclause (1) of clause (b) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Educaiton is amended to read as follows:
(1) Preparation. The candidate shall have completed six semester hours of appropriate collegiate study in or related to the field of elementary and/or secondary school service at [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or at an institution approved by the department. The commissioner may approve alternative preparation as required in this paragraph.
42. Subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(iii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent. Candidates shall have achieved a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, or its equivalent, in the program leading to the degree.
43. Subclause (1) of clause (a) of subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) have completed a teacher education program from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the Commissioner deems substantially equivalent, provided that such program leads to an initial certificate, or a similar certificate title and type, in the jurisdiction in which the higher education institution is located; and
44. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-5.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) The Commissioner may recognize and issue an initial certificate to an out-of-state candidate who completes a teacher education program at a [regionally accredited] institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent from another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia that leads to certification in the title and type of certificate sought in the jurisdiction where the higher education institution is located if the candidate also meets the following requirements:
45. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-5.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Degree. The candidate holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from a [regionally accredited] institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent. Candidates shall have achieved a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, or its equivalent, in the program leading to the degree.
46. Clause (a) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.13 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees; and
47. Paragraph (1) subdivision (b) of section 80-5.14 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Education. A candidate shall hold a graduate academic or graduate professional degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees. A candidate shall complete study in the means for identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and maltreatment, which shall include at least two clock hours of coursework or training in the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment in accordance with the requirements of section 3004 of the Education Law. In addition, the candidate who applies for the certificate on or after February 2, 2001, shall complete at least two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, as required by section 3004 of the Education Law, which is provided by a provider approved or deemed approved by the department pursuant to Subpart 57-2 of this Title. A candidate who applies for the certificate on or after December 31, 2013, shall also complete at least six clock hours, of which at least three hours must be conducted through face-to-face instruction, of coursework or training in harassment, bullying and discrimination prevention and intervention, as required by section 14 of the Education Law.
48. Subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(iii) The candidate shall hold a master's or higher degree from [a regionally accredited] higher education institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or an equivalently approved higher education institution as determined by the department, or have equivalent educational preparation as determined by the commissioner.
49. Subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-5.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(iii) The candidate shall hold a master's or higher degree from [a regionally accredited] higher education institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or an equivalently approved higher education institution as determined by the department, or have equivalent educational preparation as determined by the commissioner.
50. Subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(iii) The candidate shall hold a master's or higher degree from [a regionally accredited] higher education institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or an equivalently approved higher education institution as determined by the department, or have equivalent educational preparation as determined by the commissioner.
51. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.22 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Education. A candidate shall hold a graduate degree in the area of a certificate title from [a regionally or nationally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees. A candidate shall complete study in the means for identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and maltreatment, which shall include at least two clock hours of coursework or training in the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment in accordance with the requirements of section 3004 of the Education Law. In addition, the candidate shall complete at least two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, as required by section 3004 of the Education Law, which is provided by a provider approved or deemed approved by the department pursuant to Subpart 57-2 of this Title. A candidate who applies for the certificate on or after December 31, 2013, shall also complete at least six clock hours, of which at least three hours must be conducted through face-to-face instruction, of coursework or training in harassment, bullying and discrimination prevention and intervention, as required by section 14 of the Education Law.
52. Paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.23 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(3) The candidate shall hold a master's degree or higher from [a regionally accredited] higher education institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or an equivalently approved higher education institution as determined by the department, or have equivalent educational preparation as determined by the commissioner. Candidates shall have achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, or its equivalent, in the program leading to the degree.
53. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.23 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) have completed a comparable program from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, provided that such program leads to initial certification as a school counselor, or similar school counselor certification, in the jurisdiction in which the higher education institution is located; or
54. Clause (a) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.25 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree or higher in accounting, finance, or a related business field as determined by the Commissioner, from [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees;
55. Paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.28 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(2) hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from [a regionally accredited] an institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, and achieve a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, or its equivalent, in the program leading to the degree;
56. The opening paragraph of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 90.7 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows;
(2) A holder of a graduate library degree from a library school outside New York State which is, at the time of graduation, [a regionally accredited] an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education may apply for a conditional certificate. The certificate is issued for a period of two years. Such conditional certificate may be reissued at any future date for one, and only one, additional two-year period, upon presentation of evidence that the holder has completed, within the preceding two years:
57. Subdivision (l) of section 126.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(l) Recognized means [approved by a regional or national accrediting agency] accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or determined by the department to be equivalent in scope and content to a registered program, unless the context calls for a different meaning.
58. Paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 246.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(2) Bachelor's degree, master's degree or master's degree program means a degree from, or program of, a college or university [accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the United States Commissioner of Education] that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education, or the programs of which have been registered by the State Education Department.
59. Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of section 247.16 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(1) Colleges and universities. Colleges, universities and other degree-granting institutions must be accredited by [a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Commissioner of Education] an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or approved by the New York State Board of Regents in order to be considered by the agency for the provision of services. Exceptions may be made where accreditation is pending or conditional and the course of study is sufficiently unique to justify utilization. Fees and costs established in college catalogues shall be subject to approval pursuant to the agency's procedures for such approvals.