Childhood Education
Program Overview
This program will prepare you to teach in elementary school settings in grades 1 to 6 and leads to New York State (NYS) teacher certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1 to 6).
Coursework and Clinical Experiences
The Childhood Education program offers two tracks:
- Track 1 is a flexible, evening program (40 credits). Courses are mostly offered in the afternoon and evening, with some daytime options. Two semesters of fieldwork in New York City public schools are linked to select courses, with a full semester (five days per week) of student teaching or supervised teaching (practicum) at the culmination of the program. Students can pursue this track either full-time, part-time, or with an individualized plan.
- Track 2 is a two-year, full-time, daytime, clinically-rich program (43 to 53 credits, contact advisor for sequence). This program follows a cohort model with courses mostly offered in the daytime, with few afternoon and evening options. Students work in New York City public schools with mentor teachers for the entire two years of the program. Fieldwork begins every day for the first two weeks of school then continues two days per week, Wednesdays and Thursdays. This is a classroom-immersive program with fall admissions only.
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of at least 3.0
- A liberal arts or sciences major (or interdisciplinary concentration) of at least 30 credits
- A statement of purpose, in which you list your preferred track
- Two letters of recommendation
To Apply
Applications to Track 1 (Evening, self-paced) are accepted each Fall and Spring semester. Applications to Track 2 (Daytime Clinically Rich Cohort) are accepted each Fall semester.
We’re launching a new graduate admission application! The application will be available in late summer 2025. While you wait for the application to launch, view the How to Apply page for full application requirements. Join our School of Education email list for updates.
Application Deadlines
Fall Start
- March 15
Spring Start – Track 1 only
- October 15
Visit How to Apply for information about deadline extensions.
Related Programs
This program is not designed for those with Initial NYS certification in Childhood Education; Teachers who already hold Childhood Education certification should consider one of our Master’s Degree Programs for Certified Teachers.