Early Childhood/Childhood/Special Education

Early Childhood Education Programs

Early learning experiences have a significant effect on an individual. For students with special educational needs, the early years are especially critical. The Division of Curriculum and Teaching offers three programs in initial teacher education for persons preparing to be early childhood (birth – grade 2) classroom teachers:

• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Special Education (a dual certificate program)
• Early Childhood and Childhood Education (a dual certificate program

The programs provide candidates with the special knowledge, skills and experiences needed for working effectively with all children in the early childhood years (birth – grade 2). The programs have an emphasis on pre-school and primary education. In addition, we offer TESOL advanced certificate and the bilingual extension programs. Each has full-time and part-time options at the Lincoln Center campus. The Westchester campus offers select programs.

Childhood Education Programs

Childhood Education (grades 1 – 6) is the foundation for lifelong learning as well as for personal growth and achievement. To prepare candidates to teach children in these grades, the Division of Curriculum and Teaching offers six programs in initial teacher education:

• Childhood Education
• Childhood Special Education (a dual certificate program)
• Early Childhood andChildhood Education (a dual certificate program)
• Bilingual Childhood Education (a dual certificate program)
• Childhood Education with Middle School Extension

The childhood education programs place an emphasis on developing literacy and providing effective instructional programs for all children in the elementary classroom (grades 1 – 6). The Childhood Special Education program leads to certification in child- hood education and in teaching children with disabilities in childhood education. The Early Childhood and Childhood Education program leads to certification in early childhood (birth – grade 2) and childhood education (grades1 – 6). The Bilingual Childhood Education program leads to certification as a childhood teacher with an extension certificate for teaching in bilingual settings.

In addition, a 9- to 12-credit Middle School Extension option is also available for candidates in any of the five programs leading to childhood education certification. This option enables graduates to teach a content subject in grades 7 through 9, based on the discipline area of the candidate’s undergraduate major.

Advanced Certificates

Other options offered are the TESOL advanced certificate and the bilingual extention programs. Each program has full-time and part-time options at the Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses.