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
1

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
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 5102Historical, Philosophical, and Multicultural Foundations of American Education3
PSGE 5316Psychology of Child Development and Learning3
CTGE 5245Children's Literature in a Multicultural Society3
CTGE 5534Beginning Reading and Writing in Inclusive Classrooms3
One of the following two options3
For online students:
CTGE 5247
Teaching Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Children
For on-campus students:
CTGE 5420
Educating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners: Pre K-12
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 5155Special Education Foundations: Past, Present, Future3
CTGE 5850Observing and Documenting Children's Learning: Reflective and Effective Early Childhood Practices3
CTGE 5200Field Experience Seminar: Issues in Reflective Practice 1, 20
CTGE 5201Student Teaching Seminar: Issues in Reflective Practice 13
CTGE 0707Early Childhood Education Portfolio 20
Total Credits36
1

 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.

  • 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 workshop is also required of students in this M.S.T. program:

Course Title Credits
EDGE 0270Autism Training Module0