Master of Arts
There are two degree programs which can lead to initial teacher certification from NYSED in Early Childhood Education:
The course of study for the M.A. degree in Early Childhood Education (ECED-INIT) leads to initial certification in Early Childhood Education (birth-Grade 2). Students must complete at least 36 points in order to obtain the Master of Arts degree and the department’s recommendation for initial teacher certification.
The course of study leading to Dual Teacher Certification: Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood/Special Education (ECSE-DUAL) leads to initial certification as both an Early Childhood Education teacher and a Teacher of Students with Disabilities in Early Childhood (birth-Grade 2).Students must complete at least 39 points in order to obtain this Master of Arts degree and the department’s recommendation for initial dual certification.
The Bilingual Extension may be added to the ECED-Initial and ECSE-Dual programs.
These degree programs prepare future teachers, policymakers, and educational leaders to actively lead in matters of justice related to curriculum-making, pedagogy, and institutional change. Offering degree programs that are eligible to lead to early childhood teacher certification from Birth-Grade 2, we center children's innate capacities to interact with materials, each other, the world, and adults in creative and imaginative ways. Foundational to this idea is understanding childhood from the youngest to the oldest as integral to teaching, learning, and development. Join our network of educational leaders, curriculum designers, teachers, and creatives nationally and internationally.
Doctor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education or Early Childhood Policy (90 credits)
Early Childhood Education
At the doctoral level, the specialization in Early Childhood Education prepares candidates for college teaching, research, policy, and other leadership positions in early childhood education. The degree program is highly selective, aiming to identify and train individuals whose prior education and experience, whether or not it has specifically been in the field of early childhood, gives promise of the ability to develop modes of inquiry suitable to the field’s complexities.
Early Childhood Policy
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) concentration in Early Childhood Policy prepares candidates for leadership positions, college teaching, and research in early childhood policy. The concentration is highly selective, aiming to identify and train individuals whose prior education and experience, whether or not it has specifically been in the field of early childhood, gives promise of the ability to develop modes of inquiry suitable to the field’s complexities. Combining rigorous methodological, conceptual, and practical interdisciplinary experiences, the degree program is designed for those interested in shaping the policy agenda for young children and their families. It is predicated on the principle that undergirding all policy work, candidates must have thorough understandings of both substantive content (early childhood practices, pedagogy, and theory) and research skills. While the focus of this program is on U.S. early childhood policy, there will be opportunity for international and comparative work.
Early Childhood Special Education
The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers a doctoral degree concentration in Early Childhood Special Education, within the Early Childhood Education specialization. This degree concentration prepares students for careers related to leadership and advocacy in the field, research and scholarship, and higher education and teacher preparation programs. Core courses emphasize theory and foundations in general and special early childhood education and research methods and training. Seminars and advanced practica focus on special topics in the field. Opportunities for involvement in faculty-sponsored research and professional development activities are an integral part of the program concentration.
Points/Credits: 40
Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Certification:
Degree Requirements
Course requirements for M.A. degree students seeking initial teacher certification as early childhood teachers (birth–Grade 2):
Practicum
C&T 4308 Introduction to diverse early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4708 Student teaching in early childhood setting (4)
C&T 5118 Infant and toddler development and practice (3)
Foundations and Methods Courses
C&T 4003 Differentiation and inclusion in early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4080 Child development and intersectional identities (3)
C&T 4083 Home/school/community partnerships (3)
C&T 4112 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: curricular inquiry and design (3)
C&T 4114 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: diversity, equity, and technologies (3)
C&T 4131 Play, language, and early childhood curriculum (3)
C&T 4132 Language and teaching in the primary reading/writing classroom (3) or selected alternative
A&HM 4022 The artistic Lives of young children (2) or selected alternative
Out of Department Elective (3)
Breadth Requirement
TC master’s degree programs require that students take course work outside of their major programs. This is also known as the Foundations Requirement. All M.A., M.S., and Ed.M. students must complete a minimum of 6 points out of their Academic Program at TC. The advisor and student will determine how the points can be reached.
Culminating Project:
Students complete an integrative portfolio over the course of the degree program reflecting their growth as an early childhood teacher.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher section of the catalog.
Points/Credits: 40
Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Certification:
Degree Requirements
Course requirements for M.A. degree students seeking initial teacher certification as early childhood teachers (birth–Grade 2)with bilingual extension
Practicum
C&T 4308 Introduction to diverse early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4708 Student teaching in early childhood setting (4)
C&T 5118 Infant and toddler development and practice (3)
Foundations and Methods Courses
C&T 4003 Differentiation and inclusion in early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4080 Child development and intersectional identities (3)
C&T 4083 Home/school/community partnerships (3)
C&T 4112 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: curricular inquiry and design (3)
C&T 4114 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: diversity, equity, and technologies (3)
C&T 4131 Play, language, and early childhood curriculum (3)
C&T 4132 Language and teaching in the primary reading/writing classroom (3) or selected alternative
A&HM 4022 The artistic Lives of young children (2) or selected alternative
A&HB 4021 Foundations of bilingual/bicultural education (3)
Out of Department Elective (3)
Culminating Project:
Students complete an integrative portfolio over the course of the degree program reflecting their growth as an early childhood teacher.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher Education section of the catalog.
Points/Credits: 32
Entry Terms: Fall Only
Certification:
Degree Requirements
Language and Literacy Methods
C&T 4131 Language and Literacy in the Early Childhood Curriculum (3) OR
C&T 4132 Reading and Writing in the Primary Classroom (3)
Child Development
C&T 4080 Risk and Resilience in Early Development (3) OR
C&T 4615 Young Children, Families, and Social Policy (3)
Equity in Early Childhood Education
C&T 4114 Multicultural Approaches to Early childhood Ed (3)
Additional Courses
a minimum of 12 additional points within the Department
at least 6 Teachers College points outside of the Department
a minimum of 32 points total
Beyond the required courses (identified above), all other courses will be comprised of electives; that is, in consultation with and approval by the advisor. Students will undertake courses that help them develop an area of expertise.
This degree requires a thesis. C&T 5308 (for non-certification students) is highly recommended for students admitted in 2018-2019 and is required for students entering the program after spring 2019, as it supports the development of thesis components.
Points/Credits: 48
Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Certification:
Degree Requirements
Course requirements for M.A. degree students seeking initial dual teacher certification as both early childhood teachers and teachers of students with disabilities in early childhood (birth–Grade 2):
Practicum
C&T 4302 Supervised practicum in the educational assessment of young children with disabilities (3)
C&T 4308 Introduction to diverse early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4708 Student teaching in early childhood setting (4)
C&T 5118 Infant and toddler development and practice (3)
Foundations and Methods Courses
C&T 4003 Differentiation and inclusion in early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4080 Child development and intersectional identities (3)
C&T 4083 Home/school/community partnerships (3)
C&T 4112 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: curricular inquiry and design (3)
C&T 4114 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: diversity, equity, and technologies (3)
C&T 4131 Play, language, and early childhood curriculum (3)
C&T 4132 Language and teaching in the primary reading/writing classroom (3) or selected alternative
A&HM 4022 The artistic Lives of young children (2) or selected alternative
Out of Department Elective (6)
Elective (3)
Elective in special education (3)
Culminating Project:
Students complete an integrative portfolio over the course of the degree program reflecting their growth as an early childhood teacher.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher Education section of the catalog.
Points/Credits: 48
Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Certification:
Degree Requirements
Course requirements for M.A. degree students seeking initial dual certification as both early childhood teachers and teachers of students with disabilities in early childhood (birth–Grade 2) plus bilingual….
Practicum
C&T 4302 Supervised practicum in the educational assessment of young children with disabilities (3)
C&T 4308 Introduction to diverse early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4708 Student teaching in early childhood setting (4)
C&T 5118 Infant and toddler development and practice (3)
Foundations and Methods Courses
C&T 4003 Differentiation and inclusion in early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4080 Child development and intersectional identities (3)
C&T 4083 Home/school/community partnerships (3)
C&T 4112 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: curricular inquiry and design (3)
C&T 4114 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: diversity, equity, and technologies (3)
C&T 4131 Play, language, and early childhood curriculum (3)
C&T 4132 Language and teaching in the primary reading/writing classroom (3) or selected alternative
A&HB 4021 Foundations of Bilingual/Bicultural Education (3)
A&HM 4022 The artistic Lives of young children (2) or selected alternative
Out of Department Elective (6)
Elective (3)
Elective in special education (3)
Culminating Project:
Students complete an integrative portfolio over the course of the degree program reflecting their growth as an early childhood teacher.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher Education section of the catalog.
Points/Credits: 90
Entry Terms: Fall Only
Degree Requirements
Early Childhood Education
At the doctoral level, the specialization in Early Childhood Education prepares candidates for college teaching, research, policy, and other leadership positions in early childhood education. The degree program is highly selective, aiming to identify and train individuals whose prior education and experience, whether or not it has specifically been in the field of early childhood, gives promise of the ability to develop modes of inquiry suitable to the field’s complexities.
Early Childhood Policy
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree concentration in Early Childhood Policy prepares candidates for leadership positions, college teaching, and research in early childhood policy. The degree concentration is highly selective, aiming to identify and train individuals whose prior education and experience, whether or not it has specifically been in the field of early childhood, gives promise of the ability to develop modes of inquiry suitable to the field’s complexities. Combining rigorous methodological, conceptual, and practical interdis-ciplinary experiences, the degree program is designed for those interested in shaping the policy agenda for young children and their families. It is predicated on the principle that undergirding all policy work, candidates must have thorough understandings of both substantive content (early childhood practices, pedagogy, and theory) and research skills. While the focus of this program is on U.S. early childhood policy, there will be opportunity for international and comparative work.