Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families Dual Certification
Program Overview
This dual certification master’s program will prepare you to support infants, toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary children, and their families. You will be prepared to practice in inclusive, integrated, and self-contained classrooms, as well as homes and communities.
Coursework and Clinical Experiences
Courses are offered in the afternoon and evening. Some courses may be available in an online or hybrid format. Select courses have required fieldwork hours in classrooms, homes, or community settings. Students also participate in supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum) as the culmination of their course of study.
Credits
42 to 54 credits
Certification
Early Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities (Birth to Grade 2)
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
This program is designed for applicants who do not hold New York State (NYS) certification in Early Childhood Education.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0;
or a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.5 - A liberal arts or science major or interdisciplinary concentration of at least 30 credits
- A statement of purpose that addresses the following prompts:
- Describe your understanding of what it means to be an early interventionist/early childhood special educator and your personal vision for the field of early intervention/early childhood special education
- Share your reason for pursuing a career in early intervention/early childhood special education and what led you to this career
- Describe your prior experiences with young children and/or children in special education in your responses to the above
- Two letters of recommendation
OR
- Any New York State (NYS) teacher certification other than Early Childhood Education
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0; or a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA)of at least 3.5
- A statement of purpose that addresses the following prompts:
- Describe your understanding of what it means to be an early interventionist/early childhood special educator and your personal vision for the field of early intervention/early childhood special education. How does justice, equity, diversity and inclusion inform your understanding of this?
- Share your reason for pursuing a career in early intervention/early childhood special education and what led you to this career
- Describe your prior experiences with young children and/or children in special education in your responses to the above
- Two letters of recommendation
To Apply
Applications are accepted each Fall and Spring semester.
Create your Hunter College Graduate Application and select the program “ECDL (leads to Early Childhood and Students with Disabl. B-2 Cert), MSEd”.
Application Deadlines
Fall Start
- March 15
Spring Start
- October 15
Visit How to Apply for information about deadline extensions.
Related Programs
If you hold a Master’s Degree and NYS certification in Early Childhood Education, consider our Specialized Additional Certificate in Early Childhood Development and Learning that leads to Students with Disabilities Birth – 2 Certification.