Newly Accepted Students
Congratulations on your acceptance to the School of Education! This page will guide you through the next steps to get started as a graduate student – from accepting your offer to registering for classes and preparing for your first semester.
New Graduate Student Support
If you have questions along the way, our team is here to help. Contact the School of Education New Student Liaison at newsoest@hunter.cuny.edu.
Before moving forward, check if the pages below apply to you:
- Students entering alternative certification programs should follow the Newly Accepted Partnership Program Students page.
- New undergraduate education majors should follow the New Education Majors page instead.
- International students should review the International Students Office page for information about the I-20 form and Visa processes in addition to this page.
- Undocumented students should review the Undocumented Student Support for Teacher Education programs page in addition to this page.
New Graduate Student Orientations
To help you get started, the School of Education offers multiple orientation and advising sessions for newly admitted graduate students, each designed to help you prepare for your program and enrolling for your first semester. Sign up for sessions through your Hunter College graduate application account.
New Student, Next Steps Session
The admissions team will walk through the post-admissions requirements and help you navigate your next steps.
General New Student Orientation
The General New Student Orientation virtual session introduces you to Hunter College and the School of Education. You’ll learn about registration-readiness and the student resources available to you. The orientation is 23 minutes long.
Program Advising Session
Faculty program leaders host required advising sessions for new students, either in groups or individually. During this session, you will review:
- Your course of study
- Program progress standards
- Fieldwork requirements
- Recommended first-semester courses
Clinical Experiences and Fingerprinting Orientation
Teacher Education students must review the Clinical Experiences and Fingerprinting Orientation that explains clinical placement requirements and the fingerprinting process required for working in New York City schools. For more information on fingerprint clearance sign up for a Fingerprinting Workshop.
New Student Checklist
Use the list below as a guide to getting started at Hunter College as a graduate student.
Step 1 – Post-Admissions Steps
Review Your Admissions Letter and Accept Your Offer
Your acceptance letter will list your admissions conditions, including
- Official transcripts
- Missing prerequisite courses that must be completed
- Deadline to submit proof of New York State certification
Admitted students must accept their decision in the application status portal to confirm their enrollment and gain access to the CUNYfirst registration portal. Indicate your enrollment decision by completing the “Decision Reply Form”.
Pay Your Commitment Deposit
You can pay your commitment deposit online via your application status portal as early as 48 to 72 hours after accepting your offer. The commitment deposit is non-refundable. The $250 will be credited toward your first-semester charges.
The following students do not need to submit a deposit:
- EdD doctoral students
- Non-matriculated students
- U.S. military veterans or active-duty members
International Students
International students can wire money directly to the college for tuition and fees. Please reach out to the new student liaison, newsoest@hunter.cuny.edu, for routing details. Once the money has been transferred, please email Karen Touzard ktouzard@hunter.cuny.edu with the amount of the transfer, the date the wire transfer was initiated, and your first and last name.
Claim your CUNYfirst Student Account
About one week after accepting your offer and submitting your deposit, you will receive email instructions to activate your CUNYfirst account.
Your CUNYfirst account contains your academic record and is where you will enroll in courses. All students will be assigned an EMPLID, which serves as their student ID number.
To activate your CUNYfirst account, visit the CUNYfirst activation page. If you require further assistance, please refer to the step-by-step guide for activation.
If you previously attended a CUNY college, log in to your existing account via CUNYfirst.
- For a tour of the CUNYfirst Student Center, please review CUNY’s CUNYfirst Student Center video.
- For support on using the CUNY Schedule Builder within CUNYfirst, please review the CUNY Schedule Builder How-To Guide.
Set up CUNY Multi-Factor Authentication
Hunter College requires CUNY multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access systems such as CUNYfirst, Brightspace, and Zoom.
- Set up your Multi-Factor Authentication as soon as possible using the instructions on the MFA page.
- An MFA code will be required after you set/reset your CUNYfirst password and is requested each time you access a CUNY application.
Submit Immunization Documentation (MMR and Meningitis)
Students must clear immunization holds with the Office of Wellness Services prior to registration.
After activating your CUNYfirst account,
- Upload your Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) immunization documents through the CUNYfirst Document Uploader tool.
- Complete the meningitis acknowledgement form in your Student Center
If you recently attended a CUNY school, you may not need to resubmit your immunization documentation.
You may contact the Office of Wellness Services at wellness@hunter.cuny.edu if you have questions about immunization documentation.
Submit Official Transcripts
Send your official sealed or electronic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions to the Graduate Admissions Office as soon as possible to complete this admissions condition. Non-matriculated students must show proof of their Bachelor’s degree conferral to the Graduate Admissions Office.
- Send physical transcripts to: Hunter College Graduate Admissions, 695 Park Avenue Room North 223, New York, NY, 10065
- Send electronic transcripts to: gradadmissions@hunter.cuny.edu
Step 2 – Before You Register
Review the Academic Calendar
- Bookmark the Academic Calendar and check each semester for important dates, including the first day of class and holidays.
- Review the Registration Information table for deadlines to add or drop courses.
Get Your Financial Plan Ready
Review the School of Education’s Financing Your Degree page for tuition and fee costs. Payment deadlines for the semester are listed on the Tuition and Payment Deadlines page.
Federal Financial Aid
Financial Aid information for Professional and Graduate students is available on the studentaid.gov website. Advanced certificate and non-degree students are not eligible for federal student aid.
If you are applying for federal financial aid:
- Submit a Federal Student Aid application at fafsa.ed.gov and enter Hunter College as a recipient (code 002689).
- Within 5-10 days after submitting your FAFSA, you should be able to access your loan information through CUNYfirst (Student Center > Financial Aid).
- Accept all or part of your offer on CUNYfirst before the start of the semester.
If your financial aid information does not populate in CUNYfirst within 5-10 days of submitting your application, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Payment Plans
If you are paying out of pocket, your could consider a payment plan or paying in full online or in-person to the Office of the Bursar.
Apply for Scholarships
On the Scholarships and Opportunities page, you can review School of Education scholarships and other financial opportunities such as the TEACH Grant and NYC Men Teach. Many scholarships require you to submit the FAFSA to be eligible.
Workshops and Resources
The Hunter College Office of Financial Aid hosts workshops on financial wellness, filing the FAFSA, and more. For more information about financial aid and to RSVP for a workshop, visit the Office of Financial Aid page.
Bookmark Your Program Advising Page
Each program has a dedicated advising page with information about:
- Course requirements
- Advisors
- Fieldwork expectations
- Certification or licensure
Visit the Academics section and select Graduate Program Advising or Doctoral Program Advising to locate your program advising page.
Submit Transfer of Credit and Exemption or Waiver Requests
If you completed relevant coursework at another institution, you may be eligible for a transfer of credit, exemption, or waiver.
The deadlines to submit transfer of credit, exemption, or waiver paperwork are:
- May 1 for Fall admission
- December 1 for Spring admission
For the eligibility criteria and the required forms, please review your program page. Transfer of credit, exemptions, and waivers are available only to matriculated students, and not all programs offer them.
For guidance on this process, please connect with soereception@hunter.cuny.edu.
Complete Fingerprinting Processes (Teacher Education and School Counseling Programs)
Fingerprint clearance is required for New York State teacher and school counseling certification, and to engage in clinical experiences. Begin this process early and refer to the Fingerprinting page for your next steps. The deadline to complete your fingerprint clearance requirement is:
- August 1st for fall admits
- December 19th for spring admits
Step 3 – Register for Courses
Register for Courses
Once you have:
- Accepted your offer
- Activated your CUNYfirst account
- Cleared any immunization holds
You can register for courses using the Schedule Builder in CUNYfirst.
Attend your program advising session to determine which courses to take in your first semester.
For support on using the CUNY Schedule Builder within CUNYfirst, please review the CUNY Schedule Builder Guide. You can also watch this CUNY Schedule Builder registration video.
Step 4 – After Registration
Access your Student Email
All email communication between students and Hunter College faculty and staff must occur via the Hunter email systems (@hunter.cuny.edu, @stu-mail.hunter.cuny.edu) powered by Microsoft 365. Log into your student email account using your CUNYfirst login credentials. For tutorials and directions on using your student email, please review the help resources on the Hunter Instructional Computing and Information Technology page.
Set up Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication
You will need to set up Microsoft multi-factor Authentication to access your email and Microsoft applications, which is separate from the CUNY multi-factor authentication.Explore Your Student Success Tools
You’ll have multiple applications and tools to help you successfully complete your program. The following are the tools you should access early.
Navigate
Use the Navigate Student app to make advising appointments, connect with campus resources, and view your class schedule, among many other features. Sign up to receive alerts and text or email messages.
Brightspace
Visit Brightspace for online courses and learning modules
Zoom
Visit Zoom and log in using your CUNYfirst credentials. Many classes use Zoom for online learning or advising.
Claim your Hunter NetID
Your NetID is used to access Hunter WiFi, access Library services, and log into shared computers at Hunter College. To claim your NETID, visit the NetID Central page.
Obtain your Hunter Student ID (OneCard)
All Hunter students receive a mobile OneCard as their official campus photo ID, which is required to access the campus facilities and services.
Learn more how to obtain your student ID on the Hunter website.
Access Books and Articles for Courses
Review book requirements on CUNYfirst or via the Hunter College Online Bookstore, if available. Note that course materials are typically assigned on the first day of class when you receive your syllabus.
You can also access course books and articles through the Hunter College Library.
Step 5 – During Your First Semester
Complete Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
As part of our comprehensive prevention program for new students and our commitment to providing a supportive learning environment that fosters safe, healthy relationships among students, Hunter requires you to complete the SPARC Online Training program. The Dean of Students will send a message to your student email account (@stu-mail.hunter.cuny.edu) in your first semester with a link to the training.
Make a Plan to Meet Your Admission Conditions
Your acceptance letter lists admissions conditions. Make a plan to meet the missing requirements by the listed deadlines. Review the Satisfying Admissions Conditions page for more information. Admission conditions must be fulfilled to graduate from your program.
For Students Admitted with a Certification Deadline
Students who were accepted to a program that requires New York State teacher certification, but did not have it issued at admission, must show proof of their certification by the following deadline:
- Master’s degree students must provide proof of New York State certification by February 1 if admitted for the fall semester, or by July 1 if admitted for the spring semester.
- Advanced certificate students will need to show proof of NYS certification by October 15th if admitted for fall, or March 15th if admitted for spring.
For questions about your admission conditions, contact soeadcon@hunter.cuny.edu.
Meet with Your Advisors
Schedule an appointment to meet with your Faculty advisor in your first semester to review your program requirements and address any questions you may have about your coursework and clinical pathway.
Review Progress Standards
Every program in the School of Education has a dedicated page with program-specific information, including details about the specific progress standards (minimum grades and GPA) for your program.
To find your School of Education Program Page, visit the Academics section and Graduate Program Advising or Doctoral Program Advising.
Review the School’s Policy on Professionalism
The School of Education values professionalism and care among its students, professors, and staff. Review the Policy on Professionalism to start your semester strongly.
Explore Career Opportunities
Join Handshake
Handshake is Hunter College’s official online recruiting platform — and the #1 way for college students to find jobs! Create your free account to connect with top employers hiring for full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities. Learn how to sign up for Handshake
Explore Careers
Browse current opportunities across public, charter, and independent schools via resources on the Careers, Certification, and Licensure page.
Get Career Support
Take the next step in your professional journey:
Schedule a Career Literacy Advising Session: Book an appointment here
Student Resources, Supports, and Opportunities
Frankfort Center for Learning & Scholarly Technologies
For assistance with all academic technologies and platforms, the Frankfort Center provides direct support, or referrals to other offices such as IT or the Libraries.
- Location: Hunter East 613 (inside the library)
- Phone: 212-650-3134
- Email: soehelp@hunter.cuny.edu
- Appointments: https://hcsoeadvising.as.me/studenttech
- Student Virtual Office Hours: Monday – Friday 3-4PM on Zoom
Hunter College Emergency Resources
You can review all Hunter College and School of Education emergency resources, including emergency funding, laptop loans, and other resources, on the Student Concerns and Emergencies page.
Hunter College Academic Resources
Supportive academic policies and procedures can be found on the Student Support page.
Academic Centers
Hunter College has various tutoring centers to support students with writing, math, and science. These centers have proven helpful for School of Education students seeking to refine their academic writing skills and pass certification exams.
Office of AccessABILITY
For students with documented disabilities who need to coordinate accommodations, the Office of Accessibility is here to support you. In addition to coordinating accommodations, the office also offers workshops and student clubs.
International Students Office
The International Students Office (ISO) supports international students and exchange visitors in their cultural and educational transition to the College. The ISO can assist you in reaching your education goals by informing you about your rights and responsibilities regarding your immigration status in the United States and creating a supportive environment. The ISO helps to ensure legal compliance with the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and the Students and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP).
Student Veteran Services
Student Veteran Services (SVS) serves as the central hub, connecting student veterans with academic and personal support resources on and off campus. SVS is here to support your academic and personal endeavors at Hunter, from acceptance to graduation.
Equity and Action at Hunter College
School of Education Equity and Advocacy Committee
The School of Education Equity and Advocacy Committee explores and utilizes research and practices to integrate equity and advocacy. The committee is committed to creating a school climate that is inclusive and responsive to the diverse backgrounds, cultures, languages, genders, sexualities, abilities, and prior knowledge and lived experiences of all faculty, staff, and students. For more information, please visit the Equity and Advocacy page.
Professional Learning Opportunities
National Society of Leadership and Success
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) is a leadership-based honor society. NSLS offers lectures from the nation’s leading presenters and a community where like-minded, success-oriented individuals come together and help one another succeed. NSLS also serves as a powerful force of good in the greater community by encouraging and organizing action to better the world. All matriculated students with a GPA of 3.5 are invited to join. Invitations are sent during the second semester of attendance. If you are interested in learning more about NSLS, please review the National Society of Leadership and Success page.
Career, Professional, and Partnership Development
The School of Education’s Career, Professional, and Partnership Development division (CPPD), is here to support you in starting, changing, or continuing your career. Career, Professional and Partnership Development (CPPD) offers an online job board and opportunity listing through the School of Education Opportunity Bulletin. The bulletin is sent weekly to your student email account (@stu-mail.hunter.cuny.edu). Career, Professional and Partnership Development (CPPD) also hosts job fairs and professional learning sessions to support you in growing your networks and enhancing your skills.
In addition to virtual resources and events, Career, Professional and Partnership Development (CPPD) supports students with cover letters and resume writing through one-on-one appointments. You can make an appointment with a career advisor through the Advising page.
For more information on Career, Professional and Partnership Development (CPPD), please watch the What Does Career, Professional and Partnership Development (CPPD) Do video and visit the Career, Professional and Partnership Development (CPPD) page.