Early Childhood and Childhood Education (M.S.T., on campus and online)

45 credits

NYSED 25435/25445

The master’s degree program in early childhood and childhood education is an integrated dual-certificate program and leads to endorsement for New York state teacher certification as a childhood education teacher (grades 1-6) and an early childhood teacher (birth-grade 2). The program includes specialized knowledge and instructional practices effective in the early years of childhood, and those appropriate and effective for children in grades 1 through 6.

The program of study is carefully coordinated and sequenced, progressing from foundations and teaching methods through the development of a professional portfolio or a student work sample. Field experiences linked to courses provide guided development throughout the program and culminate in full time student teaching. Clinical experience is provided in both early childhood and childhood settings.


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 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:

  1. Taking and obtaining a passing score on the ACTFL Language Test (oral and written) in the target language;
  2. Documentation in transcripts of having completed undergraduate studies in the target language; or
  3. Agreeing to complete successfully two courses in the target language

Program of Study

Course Title Credits
UEGE 5102Historical, Philosophical, and Multicultural Foundations of American Education3
PSGE 53163
One of the following two options3
For online students:
Teaching Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Children
For on-campus students:
Educating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners: Pre K-12
CTGE 5155Special Education Foundations: Past, Present, Future3
CTGE 5534Beginning Reading and Writing in Inclusive Classrooms3
CTGE 5548Multiliteracies and Technology Across the Curriculum in Inclusive Classrooms3
CTGE 5227Teaching Mathematics to Children3
CTGE 5242Teaching Science and Technology to Children3
CTGE 5212Teaching the Arts in Childhood Education1
CTGE 5065Integrating Technology Into Elementary Education1
CTGE 5066Teaching Social Studies to Children3
CTGE 5230Framework for Education for All Young Children3
CTGE 5232Early Childhood Curriculum and Assessment3
CTGE 5233Early Learning Through Play3
CTGE 5234Family, Community, and All Young Children3
CTGE 5551Reflective Practice and Field Experience I in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom1
CTGE 5552Reflective Practice and Field Experience II in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom1
CTGE 5553Reflective Practice and Student Teaching I in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom1
CTGE 5554Reflective Practice and Student Teaching II in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom1
CTGE 0704Childhood Education Portfolio0
or CTGE 0707 Early Childhood Education Portfolio
Total Credits45

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)