Yale Teaching Fellowship
Current Teachers Track
Eligibility & Application Requirements
Key Points:
- For current, full-time NHPS teachers
- Earn a four-semester M.S. degree from SCSU and cross-endorsement in Special Education
- Full tuition benefit
- Commit to securing a full-time special education position in NHPS for at least three years following program completion
The Current Teachers Track will provide up to five certified teachers per fellowship year with a route to cross-endorsement in Connecticut and a four-semester (summer, fall, spring, summer) Master of Science from SCSU. Yale will provide full tuition.
This track allows current, full-time NHPS teachers to obtain cross-endorsement in special education, in support of district-identified needs. After completing their M.S. at SCSU, these fellows commit to securing a full-time special education position in the district for at least three years.
Because the Yale Teaching Fellowship is a collaboration between Yale University, New Haven Public Schools, New Haven Promise, and Southern Connecticut State University, there are several categories of application requirements, which also meet the standards of the CT State Department of Education. Southern Connecticut State University retains sole discretion for eligibility requirements for its degree programs.
1. Fellowship Eligibility
- Currently employed as a full-time teacher in NHPS
- Has successfully completed the 120-day probationary period
- Holds a valid Connecticut teaching certificate in an area other than special education
- Does not have a Master’s degree
- Lives in, or by the start date of the fellowship will live in, a geographic area that enables full participation in the fellowship (attending in-person classes at SCSU and working in NHPS)
- Eligible to work in the United States
2. Application Requirements
- Short answers
- Essay questions
- Letter of recommendation from NHPS principal/assistant principal
- Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including WES/ECE certified evaluations of any international degrees)
- Resume or curriculum vita (CV
Use the “Save” button in the application to receive a link to your in-process YTF application. Copy the link or email it to yourself, so you can return to your incomplete application as many times as needed until you finish and submit by the January 1 deadline. All application materials must be received by January 1, 2027 to be considered complete.
3. SCSU Admissions Requirements
(In February, fellowship finalists must separately apply to SCSU for the relevant degree program. SCSU evaluates the eligibility for its degree programs and retains sole discretion over admissions decisions for applicants to its degree programs.)
M.S. in Special Education (PK-12):
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0[1] (International applicants must hold the foreign equivalent from an internationally recognized institution; certified evaluation of transcripts from WES/ECE must be provided)
4. Fellowship Conditions & Obligations
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher GPA at SCSU, with grades of B- or higher in all courses (a cumulative GPA of 3.0+ is required for graduation)
- 3+ years[2] of full-time teaching in NHPS[3] following completion of the degree program at SCSU
- Note: Current Teachers commit to securing a full-time special education position in the district for 3+ years following completion of the fellowship
[1] SCSU will consider waiving this requirement for degree program applicants who have less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA but meet all other SCSU admission requirements; the GPA waiver requires a letter from the degree program applicant (addressing their GPA and making a case for their waiver request) and at least two strong letters of support from academic and/or professional references.
[2] If a fellow fails to complete their three-year employment as required for their fellowship track, they will be required to pay back a portion of their fellowship funding. $10,000 will be owed if the fellow completes less than one-year of the employment requirement; $6,666 will be owed if the fellow completes more than one year but less than two years of the employment requirement; and $3,333 will be owed if the fellow completes more than two years but less than three years of the employment requirement.
[3] In the event a fellow is not offered a full-time teaching position in NHPS by July 31st of the year in which they receive their degree from SCSU, they can complete their three-year commitment at another CT Alliance District. Fellows must provide notice of their intent to fulfill their three-year commitment at another CT Alliance District in advance.