Early Childhood Education (M.S.T., on campus and online)
36 credits
NYSED 25484/25487
The master's degree program in early childhood education (birth–second grade) offers coursework in child development, curriculum and assessment, children’s literature, teaching exceptional children, frameworks for educating young children including reading and writing, play, culturally and linguistically diverse learners, multi-language learners, observing and document children’s learning, effective instructional practices for young children, current issues and trends, and field experiences for student teaching. Our program provides beginning as well as uncertified teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to be a highly effective early childhood teacher.
Graduates of the program are endorsed by Fordham University for New York State teacher certification in early childhood education. The program is approved by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the national professional organization in early childhood education.
CIP Code
13.1210 - Early Childhood 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 early 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 early childhood programs must have
- an undergraduate degree 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 and mathematical processes, written analysis, and expression and communication.
- at least one college-level course in English or American literature as a foundation for the use of literature in teaching emergent literacy and reading in childhood education.1
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These courses may be part of or in addition to a liberal arts major/concentration.
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
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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 |
| CTGE 5316 | Psychology of Child Development and Learning | 3 |
| CTGE 5245 | Children's Literature in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| CTGE 5534 | Beginning Reading and Writing in Inclusive Classrooms | 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 5230 | Framework for Education for All Young Children | 3 |
| CTGE 5232 | Early Childhood Curriculum and Assessment | 3 |
| CTGE 5233 | Early Learning Through Play | 3 |
| CTGE 5234 | Family, Community, and All Young Children | 3 |
| CTGE 5155 | Special Education Foundations: Past, Present, Future | 3 |
| CTGE 5850 | Observing and Documenting Children's Learning: Reflective and Effective Early Childhood Practices | 3 |
| CTGE 5200 | Field Experience Seminar: Issues in Reflective Practice 1, 2 | 0 |
| CTGE 5201 | Student Teaching Seminar: Issues in Reflective Practice 1 | 3 |
| CTGE 0707 | Early Childhood Education Portfolio 2 | 0 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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Student teaching required
- 2
There is a fee associated with this course.
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.