Childhood Education Teacher (1-6) Liberal Arts, M.S.Ed.

School of Education

Program Overview

This program prepares teachers of children in first through sixth grade for initial and/or professional certification in liberal arts, bilingual education, science and environmental education, and mathematics. We design our programs in cooperation with liberal arts and sciences faculties and in conjunction with local schools. Through collaborative action, teaching, and research, we develop our students’ capacities to create socially just, intellectually vital, aesthetically rich, and compassionate communities that value equity and excellence, access, and rigor.

Childhood Education Teacher (1–6) Liberal Arts, M.S.Ed.

Where You'll Go

This program will not only support you to gain New York State Certification but will also provide you with both the analytical and practical skills to offer students, grades one through six, the support needed to thrive holistically. Our graduates are hired by school districts and early childhood centers locally and nationwide. The mission of the department is to prepare teachers for effective classroom practice of diverse students in urban settings. Our goal is the development of knowledgeable, skilled teacher candidates who are well versed in research, theory, and practice.

Program Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Program Description

The program in childhood education prepares teachers of children in first through sixth grade for initial and/or professional certification in liberal arts, bilingual education, science and environmental education, and mathematics. Through collaborative action, teaching, and research, we develop our students’ capacities to create socially just, intellectually vital, aesthetically rich, and compassionate communities that value equity and excellence, access, and rigor. We design our programs in cooperation with liberal arts and sciences faculties and in conjunction with local schools in order to provide our students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, proficiencies, and understandings needed to work with New York City’s racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse populations. Our program is unique in that our students become highly skilled in content and methodology courses, adept in diversified literacy skills, and have the ability to integrate pragmatic tools of technology, including free and interactive Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, and podcasts. Our reflective graduates are astutely aware of the digital divide and the need to use source ware (free software) so no child is left behind in the Information Age, and the need to produce globally competitive students regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Students will enroll in the appropriate course of studies listed below (Option A or B or C) based upon teaching experience, previous course work, and the teaching certificates they hold.

During the first semester, students must file a program of study approved by the program adviser. All courses in the childhood education degree sequence require departmental permission for registration.

Option A (30 credits)

The following program applies to students who hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education (grades 1–6) or its equivalent. This program leads to a New York State Professional Certificate in Childhood Education (grades 1–6).

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education (grades 1–6) or its equivalent.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. A minimum GPA of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.

International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” of the Brooklyn College Bulletin of Graduate Programs.

Degree Requirements

30 credits are required for the degree.

Any liberal arts course requested by students must be approved by the program head.

During the first semester, students must file a program of study approved by the program adviser. All courses in the childhood education degree sequence require departmental permission for registration.

Option B (33 Credits)

The following program applies to students who hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education (birth–grade 2) or its equivalent or a New York State Initial Certificate in Special Subjects (all grades) or its equivalent. This program leads to a New York State Professional Certificate in Childhood Education (grades 1–6).

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education (birth–grade 2) or its equivalent or a New York State Initial Certificate in Special Subjects (all grades) or its equivalent.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. A minimum GPA of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.

International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” of the Brooklyn College Bulletin of Graduate Programs.

Degree Requirements

33 credits are required for the degree.

Any liberal arts course requested by students must be approved by the program head.

During the first semester, students must file a program of study approved by the program adviser. All courses in the childhood education degree sequence require departmental permission for registration.

Option C (45 Credits)

The following program applies to students who do not hold a New York State Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education or Childhood Education or Special Subjects or equivalent course work and teaching experience, or who are teaching but do not hold initial certification. This program leads to both New York State Initial and Professional Certificates in Childhood Education (grades 1–6).

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. A minimum GPA of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.

International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” of the Brooklyn College Bulletin of Graduate Programs.

Degree Requirements

Forty-five credits are required for the degree.

During the first semester, students must file a program of study approved by the program adviser. All courses in the childhood education degree sequence require departmental permission for registration.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Candidates critically reflect on their own assumptions about their practices, the students with whom they work, the communities in which they work, and their own development as professionals. (Critical Self-Reflection)
  • Candidates foster relationships and know the importance of establishing and maintaining a positive collaborative relationship with families, school colleagues, and the community to support students’ learning and well-being and also create classrooms that foster opportunities for student collaboration thereby enhancing student learning and social development. (Collaboration)
  • Candidates demonstrate in their practice strategies that support every student’s effort to reach the highest level of academic achievement and to use pedagogies that embrace the wide range of cultures represented in today’s classrooms. (Social Justice)
  • Candidates show in their practices a sensitivity to, knowledge about and understanding of their own and others’ racial, ethnic, religious, class, sexual, gender, cultural, and linguistic identities and implement a variety of teaching strategies that encourage students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. (Diversity)
  • Candidates demonstrate the ability to translate subject matter into meaningful learning experiences that support the intellectual, social and personal development of all students.
  • Candidates plan instruction by using the New York Common Core Learning Standards for Birth–12 and actively engaging students in learning that promotes critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Candidates meet the needs of diverse students by using differentiated learning strategies and reflecting on instructional practice and student learning.
  • Candidates gain skills for creating a nurturing learning environment in a high-needs urban elementary school by intersecting best classroom practices with an understand of the social, economic, and cultural context of the students and their families.
  • Candidates show increasing ability to improve as a teacher by critically reflecting on pedagogy and practice and to improve teaching by action research.
  • Candidates develop capacity for incorporating collaborative learning, motivations, communication, and management in a childhood classroom.
  • Candidates communicate effectively with students, parents, other school personnel, and community members.
  • Candidates demonstrate the skills in curriculum development, instructional planning, differentiated instruction, inquiry-based teaching, use of instructional technology, and formal and informal assessment tools in a high-needs urban context.
  • Candidates gain the knowledge and skills for dealing with child safety, substance abuse, and health concerns.
  • Candidates demonstrate the ability to collaborate with colleagues, parents and other professionals to improve teacher candidate’s pedagogy and practice.
  • Candidates demonstrate a commitment to professional growth through professional development activities and professional organization seminars.

Admissions Requirements

  • Fall Application Deadline: August 1, rolling admission (Option A); July 15 (Options B, C)
  • Spring Application Deadline: November 1, rolling admission (Options A, B, C)

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Résumé
  • Photocopy of New York State or other state teaching certificate
  • A brief biographical statement of 500 to 1,000 words describing your reasons for pursuing the specific graduate program to which you are applying and your future professional goals

Interview with department.

Required Tests

  • F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—85–160 (Option B), Duolingo—105–160 (Options A, C).

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

NonDegree Applicants

This program accepts nondegree applicants. You. must submit the online application, transcripts, and personal statement.

More Information

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Wen-Song Hwu, Program Coordinator

2105 James Hall
E: whwu@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 4378

Karen Nicholson, Administrative Assistant

2105 James Hall
E: karenn@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3776

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool

Internships and Employers

Students complete internships in public and private schools throughout the New York City region as well as across the United States. The internship is a supervised experience designed to hone the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a childhood education teacher.

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.