Early Childhood and Childhood Education
Degree: Master of Science in Teaching (MST)
Credits: 45
Career Path: Classroom teacher for birth to grade 6
Start Semester: Any
Campus: Lincoln Center
Full-time/Part-time: Both
The program combines exceptionally strong field experiences and a carefully coordinated sequence of courses progressing from foundations and teaching methods to the development of a professional portfolio.
Candidates develop teaching skills and apply knowledge learned in courses during their field experience in a wide range of age/grade and school settings Their development is supported by expert faculty master teachers and school settings.
Their development is supported by expert faculty, master teachers and field advisers/mentors.
Fordham's Early Childhood programs are approved by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Childhood programs are approved by the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI). Fordham's Graduate School of Education is a nationally accredited teacher education institution in New York City.
Program Prerequisites
Applicants must have prerequisites in 7 areas of study, including English literature, math, foreign language, writing or communications, artistic expression and social sciences.
Admissions Information
Application Deadlines
- Fall: June 30
- Spring: November 15
- Summer (both sessions): April 15
Browse the Admissions section for more about the application and financial aid processes.
Fieldwork Requirements
The practical application of theory, teaching strategies, curriculum construction and behavior management is woven into student teaching throughout our program. Generally, student teaching requires one full academic year, with placements in two different grade levels.
In the fall semester, students complete 3 full days per week, and in the spring semester, 5 full days per week. Students are mentored by a field specialist and placed in our high needs "partnership schools" in New York City.
Program Curriculum
Browse course schedules and descriptions.
- Beginning Reading and Writing in Inclusive Classrooms (CTGE5534)
- Childhood Education Portfolio (CTGE0704)
- Early Childhood Curriculum and Assessment (CTGE5232)
- Early Learning Thru Play (CTGE5233)
- Family, Community, and All Young Children (CTGE5234)
- Frameworks for Educating All Young Children (CTGE5230)
- Historical, Philosophical, and Multicultural Foundations of American Education (UEGE5102)
- Literacy Across the Curriculum in Inclusive Classrooms (CTGE5548)
- Psychology of Child Development and Learning (PSGE5316)
- Reflective Practice and Field Experience I in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom (CTGE5551)
- Reflective Practice and Field Experience II in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom (CTGE5552)
- Reflective Practice and Student Teaching I in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom (CTGE5553)
- Reflective Practice and Student Teaching II in an Inclusive Childhood Classroom (CTGE5554)
- Special Education Foundations: Past, Present, and Future (CTGE5155)
- Teaching Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students (CTGE5247)
- Teaching Mathematics to Children (CTGE5227)
- Teaching Science and Technology to Children (CTGE5242)
- Teaching Social Studies to Children (CTGE5066)
- Teaching Technology to Children (CTGE5065)
- The Arts in Childhood Education (CTGE5212)
Certification Information
General Education and Special Education degrees lead toward certification in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education of children from Birth to- second grade.
Teacher candidates who meet all program requirements, state mandated workshops and mandated state exams, completed course of study and established field experience are eligible for Fordham University's endorsement for New York state initial certification in their program area. Read more about certification procedures.
Pass rates for Fordham's initial teacher education graduates on the NYSTCE Teacher exams have been over 95% each year.
Programs are open to all who qualify; however, only U.S. citizens or international students who possess a U.S. Green Card or H1-B visa may be recommended for New York State teacher certification.