MS Early Childhood Education

Program Overview

This Master of Science in Early Childhood Education program prepares students to teach preschoolers through second graders. It emphasizes literacy, language acquisition, and content area knowledge, and enables students to pursue professional certification in early childhood education or grades B-2. The program is offered part-time online or on campus, and is part of the OpenSUNY+ program with comprehensive support services.

Program Outline

Master of Science in Early Childhood Education

Degree Overview:

This program provides the knowledge and skills necessary to teach preschoolers and children through Second Grade. It emphasizes the development of age-appropriate language, literacy, and content area knowledge and skills.

Objectives:

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the literacy knowledge and instruction appropriate for educational and/or community settings.
• Students will apply their understanding of diversity, equity, and technology to educational and/or community settings.
• Students will apply their content knowledge and understanding of literacy practices to the education and/or community setting of their choice through a reflective essay or inquiry project.

Program Description:

• Focuses on areas like literacy instruction, language acquisition, and pre-school/elementary teaching of science, mathematics, and social studies.
• Covers assessment methods, family engagement, intervention strategies, data-based decision making, and Next Generation Learning Standards.
• Enables students with initial New York State (NYS) teacher certification in early childhood education or those with existing NYS professional certification in another content area to pursue professional certification to teach grades B-2.

Outline:

Core Courses:

• Classroom Literacy Instruction
• Language Acquisition, B-2
• Strategic Intervention to Prevent Literacy Difficulties
• Literacy in Society
• Teaching Social Studies, B-6
• Early Literacy Development, B-2
• Data-Based Decision Making in Literacy Assessment, Policy, and Practice
• Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School
• Science for Children

Elective (choose one):

• Children's Literature
• Teaching Writing, B-6
• Integrated Literacy Instruction, B-6
• Media Literacy
• Assessment in Education

Final Project:

• Completion of NYSED and university required culminating project during the final course.

Structure:

• Part-time Online or part-time/full-time on campus.

Schedule:

Careers:

Median Annual Salaries in Albany, NY:

• Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher: $40,838
• Kindergarten Teacher: $55,729
• Elementary Teacher: $63,277
• Preschool Director: $64,397

Source:

salaryexpert.com

Other:

• Requires initial New York State (NYS) teacher certification in early childhood education or NYS professional certification in another content area.
• Not available to international applicants.
• Requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement.
• Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.
• Approved for licensure or certification in New York State.
• Requires completion of the degree and award by Summer 2026 to comply with NYSED requirements.
• Students must request the University recommend them to the New York State Department of Education to pursue professional certification.