The Master of Science in Early Childhood Education is designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree and want to become teachers from birth–grade 2.

Our program focuses on instructional planning and assessment, as well as the skillful integration of technology. The program will give you the skills and experience to teach diverse student populations in a variety of classroom settings. Each course includes assignments that connect to the ten hours of field experience offered in collaboration with early childhood education programs and elementary schools in the candidate's local area. Our technology-infused program is offered in multiple formats (online, face-to-face, and blended) on a full-time or part-time basis. Program requirements for Initial/Professional Certification are 39 credits.

For those who would also like to be able to teach English Language Learners (ELLs) and culturally and linguistically diverse students, New York Institute of Technology offers an optional nine-credit bilingual extension. (To receive NYSED certification, you will need to independently pass the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) in addition to successfully completing the course requirements for this extension.)

Prerequisite Foundations for the Master of Science in Early Childhood Education Program (Initial/Professional Certification)

Preparation for a career as an early childhood educator begins with a solid foundation in general studies and a major in one of the arts and science areas represented in the childhood curriculum. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Candidates are also required to have a satisfactory command of spoken and written English. Applicants who are judged to have inadequate English language skills may be required to take undergraduate coursework to strengthen their language skills before continuing in the early childhood education program. A structured interview may be part of the admission process.

Field Experience and Student Teaching
Field experience and student teaching provide candidates with substantial clinical practice prior to graduation and independent professional practice. Field experience is linked with course assignments and progresses from observation to participation in clinical practice. Teacher candidates observe in a school setting under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and complete an assignment linked to each required course. The field experience component of the program is a critical part of a candidate's professional development and provides opportunities for candidates and the faculty to assess the development of professional skills and applications of classroom learning.

Candidates who have completed 30 semester hours in the program may be eligible to apply for student teaching. Applications must be submitted by March 1 for fall semester student teaching, and by October 1 for spring semester student teaching.

Student teaching placements are based on the semester schedule of the cooperating school and provide the teacher candidate the professional environment to observe, prepare instructional plans, and teach students under the guidance of a master teacher during student teaching. The teacher candidate is required to remain at the cooperating school five days per week commencing the first day of the school's semester through the final day of classes in the New York Tech semester.

During student teaching and within the college calendar, teacher candidates attend professional education seminars on campus or virtually as required by the College of Arts and Sciences. The demands of the student teaching placement require a five-day-a-week commitment for the professional semester. A student teaching orientation program and handbook provide additional information for the candidates at the beginning of the professional semester and student teaching experience.

The checklist for the admission requirements for student teaching can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Education Office of Field Experience and Student Teaching.

Students graduating from this program are eligible for teaching certification once they have passed all required portions of the New York State Teacher Certification Exam (NYSTCE). Students may also apply for internship certification after completing 50 percent of the courses. Internship certification permits students to begin teaching while they complete their degrees.

Financial aid is available for qualified students enrolled in six credits or more.

Course Requirements
The program is organized to build knowledge and skills through carefully developed course content and related field experience, culminating with student teaching. The program of studies should be followed as designed; exceptions may be made only with the approval of the program chairperson.

In addition to the courses and experiences above, candidates in the program must complete the following non-credit-required workshops:

• Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
• School Violence Prevention and Intervention
• First Aid
• Safety, Fire Prevention, and Safe Environment
• Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

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Admission Requirements

• B.S. degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university with a major or its equivalent (minimum of 30-credit concentration) in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, economics, English, history, life science, math, physics, psychology
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  
  • Students who have a GPA lower than 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission by the program chairperson. If students are admitted conditionally, they must achieve a 3.0 GPA in the first six graduate credits to continue in the M.S. program.

Students graduating from this program are eligible for teaching certification once they have passed all required portions of the New York State Teacher Certification Exam (NYSTCE). Students may also apply for internship certification after completing the first 18 credits. Internship certification permits students to begin teaching while they complete their degrees.

Candidates seeking to add a certificate for bilingual education may take an additional nine credits (three courses). As part of the required clinical experience, candidates must complete college supervised field experiences of 50 hours within a bilingual setting. To receive NYSED certification, candidates will also need to pass the Bilingual Education Assessment in addition to successfully completing the course requirements for this extension.

Application Process

For initial/professional certification in M.S. in Early Childhood Education program:

• Online application
• Personal statement: Why do you want to become an early childhood educator?
• Two letters of recommendation
• $50 application fee
  
• Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• International student requirements: English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE), I-20, and transcript evaluation

Special Note
New York education law now permits nonresident aliens to qualify for an initial license. Individuals with U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status may qualify for a permanent or professional New York State Teaching Certificate.

Read more at NYSED