The Murphy Institute’s LEAP to Teacher program (LTT) at Queens College provides a wide range of free support services to help school and daycare workers succeed academically and to accomplish their career objectives. Please note, that you do not have to be pursuing a teaching career to participate in this program. A career change is another option to consider as you plan to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. we can serve as your support system to accomplish your goals.
Contact
workered@qc.cuny.edu
718-997-3060
64-19 Kissena Blvd.
Kissena Hall 1 Room 217
Prospective Students
- To learn more about the LTT program and its services, attend one of our monthly LTT open house sessions.
- Fill out the inquiry form, and our program specialists will contact you to set up a zoom or in-person meeting to answer your questions.
Academic Programs
Whether you are looking for initial or professional certification in teaching, or want to become a school counselor, school psychologist or school leader, Queens College is a great choice. Queens College was named one of top 20 best value colleges for teaching degrees and most affordable overall. A leader in preparing future educators, Queens College graduates the most teachers, counselors, and principals in the New York metropolitan area.
Queens College offers 97 registered programs that prepare teachers and other school professionals for New York State certification, including undergraduate programs in art teacher education, childhood education, English adolescent education, family and consumer science education teacher, mathematics adolescent education, music teacher education, physical education teacher, science adolescent education, social studies adolescent education, linguistics, and world languages. All of the programs are approved by the New York State Education Department and lead to state certification. We are also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), as well as the Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP). Students can earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a post-master’s certificate in education.
If you are interested in furthering your education but do not want to teach, schedule an appointment with our LEAP to Teacher Coordinator to help you find a suitable program.
Undergraduate Studies
In addition to Education programs, Queens College offers over 70 undergraduate programs on campus. These programs include (but are not limited to): Accounting, Business, Computer Science, English, Pre-Engineering, Pre-Law and Pre-Med. To apply, visit Undergraduate Admissions.
Graduate Studies
There are over 100 master’s degree programs on campus. Whether you are pursuing your Master’s degree for professional and career advancement, personal fulfillment, public service or scholarly adventure. We are here to help you take the first step. To apply, visit Graduate Admissions.
LTT Frequently Asked Questions – Answers to most common questions regarding eligibility, program availability and more.
LTT Academic and Career Support
- Assistance with admissions and registration process
- Offering pre-admission services such as: essays/personal statement preparation
- Free College Preparation Program
- Ongoing advisement to ensure a positive and rewarding college experience from pre-admission through graduation,
- Assistance with special opportunities including scholarships, D.O.E Career Training Program (CTP) vouchers and financial assistance.
- Information about NYS requirements for teacher certification and free NYS teacher certification exam preparation workshops,
- The Murphy Institute Writing Center
The Murphy Institute Writing Center at Queens College offers all writing support. The Writing Center also provides workshops, writing tips of the week, discussion forums, and newsletters. Students may schedule a phone, online, or in-person session by accessing the WCONLINE online scheduler. Students can contact Jean Soto, the Writing and Research Consultant, at tel:718-997-3079 or by emailing jean.soto@qc.cuny.edu - Career advisement and assistance with preparing resumes, cover letter, essays, applications,
- Networking with alumni to provide career opportunities,
- Assisting with Teacher job search,
- Sharing professional development opportunities.
Workshops and Courses
The LEAP to Teacher program offers a variety of free noncredit courses and workshops designed to enhance students’ skills to pass different certification exams and provide an opportunity to complete some NY State mandatory training for educators.
This series of online workshops introduces LTT students to study skills and provides writing improvement tips. Here are some of the topics covered in the workshops: 1) Classroom skills and note taking 2) Reading Difficult Text 3) Drafting Strategies (4) Paraphrasing/Summarizing (5) APA/MLA Citations (6) Revision Strategies 7) Introductions and Conclusions 8) Time Management 9) How To Boost your GPA 10) Applying A.I. Tools for Academic Support. Please contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
These exam preparation workshops focus on the strategies needed to succeed on the Multi-Subject Tests for Birth–Grade 6. Participants will review the overall exam format across all sections, including Math, Literacy and English Language Arts (multiple-choice and constructed responses), as well as Arts and Sciences. The session also offers practical test-taking strategies, tips, and helpful resources to support success on the exams.
Multi-Subject CST Exam Preparation Workshops for Grades 7–12 support candidates pursuing Generalist certification, including Special Education 7–12. Covering all three CST parts: Literacy & ELA (241), Mathematics (244), and Arts & Sciences (245). These sessions review key content, test formats, and question types, while providing practice questions, effective test-taking strategies, and additional resources to support exam readiness and build confidence.
This 3-hour Educating All Students (EAS) exam preparation workshop focuses on building the skills needed to teach diverse student populations. Participants will learn effective strategies for approaching multiple-choice questions, developing strong constructed responses, and applying proven test-taking techniques and additional helpful resources to support success on the exam.
This free non-credit course is a 32-hour online refresher course (eight 4-hour sessions) which is open only to LEAP to Teacher students. The course covers all required mathematics competencies for a NY State certified elementary teacher. Running consecutively on eight Saturdays, participants learn the importance of becoming an effective problem-solver, identifying common math misconceptions and how to teach math effectively.
- Students who complete this course are eligible to earn 20 CTLE credit hours.
This course is also helpful for students seeking certification in childhood education in the state of New York to prepare them to pass the math section of Childhood Education Multi-Subject Content Specialty Test.
Check out our Math for Elementary Educators.
Please contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
This three-hour workshop provides a focused overview of the SWD-CST exam, including its format, objectives, and key competencies. Participants will review sample questions, explore IEPs and disability classifications, and strengthen their skills in analyzing and responding to constructed-response items. The session also offers practical test-taking strategies, tips, and helpful resources to support success on the test.
Special Education Essentials: A Comprehensive Review and Refresher Series This virtual refresher course comprises a six-week series of workshops that delve into the required NYS competencies for certified teachers working with students with disabilities. The sessions will thoroughly cover topics such as the foundations of Special Education, the 13 classifications of students with IEPs, utilizing assessments to guide instructional planning, and implementing research-based strategies to ensure student success across various placements. Through a case study approach, participants will engage in the analysis, synthesis, and application of content from each session.Completion of this workshop series qualifies participants to earn 12 CTLE credit hours. Additionally, this course serves as valuable preparation for students pursuing certification in Special Education in New York State, aiding them in successfully passing the Content Specialty Test for Students with Disabilities: SWT-CST (06) test.
This workshop is offered in partnership with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), providing an overview of how to become a NYC Department of Education paraprofessional while exploring long-term career pathways in education. Participants will learn about the paraprofessional role, including eligibility, hiring steps, and union benefits, and will be introduced to LEAP to Teacher, a free support program that helps school and daycare workers advance their education and career.
This six-week exam preparation workshop is designed for students seeking New York State Teaching Assistant Certification. The program prepares participants for the NYS ATAS exam, with priority admission given to current CUNY students majoring in Education.
- New York State Mandatory Training for Educators
SLU is a New York State–approved provider. Upon completion of each training, participants will receive a certificate on their TEACH account. Contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
This required SAVE Project training covers the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act. The course explores strategies to create safe, supportive, and positive school environments.
This three-hour required training on recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and maltreatment. Participants will learn to identify physical and behavioral signs of abuse, understand their legal responsibilities as mandated reporters, and follow the proper reporting process.
This 6-hour required DASA training provides an overview of New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) and focuses on preventing bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Participants learn strategies to create safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students.
This 3-hour course provides a foundational understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and effective, evidence-based strategies to support students with autism. Participants will explore key characteristics of ASD and learn approaches to create supportive learning environments and strengthen school–family collaboration.
This 32-hour online course reviews key New York State math competencies for teachers in daycare and elementary settings. It focuses on problem-solving, common misconceptions, and effective teaching strategies. Participants who complete the course may earn 20 CTLE credits. The course also supports preparation for the math sections of the Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education Multi-Subject Content Specialty Tests. LTT students receive priority admission.
This 18- hour virtual refresher series reviews the key NY State competencies for teachers working with Students with Disabilities, including foundations of special education, the 13 classifications of students with IEPs, assessment-based instruction, and research-based strategies. Participants apply learning through case studies. Completion earns 12 CTLE hours and supports preparation for the Students with Disabilities CST (SWT-CST 060).
This 90-minute workshop will support educators in strengthening their lesson planning by aligning objectives with standards, using engaging strategies, and ensuring meaningful assessment through student engagement during the lesson. We will also discuss how AI can be a helpful tool for brainstorming and preparation. Participants will complete a pre-and-post assessment which will highlight their growth while earning 1.5 hours in their Continuing Teacher and Leader Education Credits (CTLE)
Explore strategies for creating a positive classroom using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This workshop covers classroom design, managing challenging behaviors, teaching key social skills, and building strong relationships. Learn practical approaches for transitions, behavior support, and handling meltdowns. Ideal for early childhood educators. 2.5 CTLE credits provided upon completion.
This one-hour workshop is designed for those Interested in careers beyond the classroom with an education degree. The workshop explores diverse job opportunities for education majors, highlighting roles and organizations that value educator’s skills. Learn about alternative career paths, industry options, and how to leverage your degree in new and exciting ways.