Childhood Education (M.S.T., on campus and online)
36 credits
NYSED 25431/25441
The master’s degree program in childhood education combines coursework in child development, effective instructional practices for inclusive elementary classrooms, professional studies, and related field experiences. Graduates of the program are endorsed for New York state teacher certification in childhood education.
CIP Code
13.1202 - Elementary Education and Teaching.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
Applicants to all childhood programs must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Education and the requirements for admission to initial teacher education programs.
In addition, applicants for any of the childhood programs must have the following:
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited university in one of the liberal arts or sciences. For example, English, American, or comparative literature; mathematics; an area of science; modern languages; media studies; women’s studies; political science; computer science; information science; communications; history; sociology; anthropology; economics; the arts; or psychology.
- College-level study in the following general education core areas: artistic expression, concepts in history and social sciences, a language other than English, scientific processes, mathematical processes, written analysis and expression, and communication
In addition, candidates for the bilingual extension must provide evidence of their competence in a language other than English by fulfilling one of the following three options:
- Taking and obtaining a passing score on the ACTFL Language Test (oral and written) in the target language;
- Documentation in transcripts of having completed undergraduate studies in the target language; or
- Agreeing to complete successfully two courses in the target language
Applicants for any of the initial teacher education (ITE) programs must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Education as well as their specific degree or certificate program and the following ITE requirements:
- baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major or concentration in one of the liberal arts or sciences
- a minimum undergraduate grade point average of approximately 3.0 (B or better)
- two reference reports: academic and professional
- satisfactory command of oral and written English as evidenced through an admissions essay or interview
- candidates for whom English is a second language are required to take and achieve a passing score in one of two tests: the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELT (International English Language Test). The following scores are the recommended minimum current1 test scores for English language proficiency for admission to the Graduate School of Education:
IELTS1: 7 for General Test Score, no subtest can be lower than 6
TOEFL1: 577 for paper test, 90 for Internet-based (IBT) test
- 1
Scores can be no more than two years old. See program descriptions for additional program-specific requirements.
Matriculation Requirements
Once admitted, teacher candidates must meet these requirements for matriculation:
- proof of immunization against measles, meningitis, mumps, and rubella, to be submitted to Fordham University Office of Student Health Services
- proof of baccalaureate degree in cases where student is admitted to the Graduate School of Education during the undergraduate senior year, to be submitted to the Graduate School of Education, admissions office
- proof of registration for the first semester of coursework, under advisement of the appropriate ITE program coordinator
Program of Study
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| UEGE 5102 | Historical, Philosophical, and Multicultural Foundations of American Education | 3 |
| PSGE 5316 | Psychology of Child Development and Learning | 3 |
| One of the following two options | 3 | |
For online students: | ||
| Teaching Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Children | ||
For on-campus students: | ||
| Educating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners: Pre K-12 | ||
| CTGE 5534 | Beginning Reading and Writing in Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| CTGE 5548 | Literacy Across the Curriculum in Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| CTGE 5227 | Teaching Mathematics to Children | 3 |
| CTGE 5242 | Teaching Science and Technology to Children | 3 |
| CTGE 5212 | Teaching the Arts in Childhood Education | 1 |
| CTGE 5065 | Integrating Technology Into Elementary Education | 1 |
| CTGE 5066 | Teaching Social Studies to Children | 3 |
| One of the following two options | 3 | |
For online students: | ||
| Children's Literature in a Multicultural Society | ||
For on-campus students: | ||
| Teaching and Assessing Mathematics in Elementary Classrooms | ||
| CTGE 5551 | Reflective Practice and Field Experience I in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom | 1 |
| CTGE 5155 | Special Education Foundations: Past, Present, Future | 3 |
| CTGE 5552 | Reflective Practice and Field Experience II in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom | 1 |
| CTGE 5553 | Reflective Practice and Student Teaching I in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom | 1 |
| CTGE 5554 | Reflective Practice and Student Teaching II in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom | 1 |
| CTGE 0704 | Childhood Education Portfolio | 0 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Required Workshops
The workshops listed below are required of all Initial Teaching (M.S.T.) programs as well as certain other programs related to NY state licensure.
- Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Workshop (EDGE 0210)
- Dignity for All Students Training (EDGE 0260)
- Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Training (EDGE 0220)
- Schools Against Violence Education Workshop (EDGE 0230)
In addition to the workshops listed above, the following workshops are also required of students in this MST program:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDGE 0250 | Health and Physical Education Training | 0 |
| EDGE 0270 | Autism Training Module | 0 |