Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
Department Office
OMB 223
(845) 257-2860
The School of Education at the State University of New York at New Paltz offers students holding an elementary or childhood certification an opportunity to earn a master's degree in education (Grades 1-6). The typical candidate for the Master of Science in Education (MS-Ed) will hold current teacher certification in elementary or childhood education from New York State. The program includes course work in liberal arts, education content, pedagogy, and research. A feature of the MS-Ed Childhood program is a selection of specialization tracks in reading/literacy; environmental education; mathematics, science, and technology; early childhood education; special education and humanistic/multicultural education. These are linked to undergraduate content or related majors.
The program can be completed in four semesters. Upon graduation, students will receive the Master of Science in Education degree and will have completed all academic requirements for professional teacher certification from New York State.
Areas of Specialization:
- Reading/Literacy (013R)
--Designed for those candidates who wish to enroll in more reading courses than other programs
would provide. It does not lead to certification as a Reading/Literacy Teacher. - Environmental Education (013E)
--Prepares candidates to teach, supervise and develop curriculum and activities related
to teaching environmental concepts outdoors. - Early Childhood (013B)
--Enhances the student's understanding of how young children, birth through second grade,
experience and process learning. - Mathematics, Science & Technology (013M)
--Linked to students with an interest in mathematics, physical and biological sciences and computer sciences. - Humanistic/Multicultural Education (013H)
--Linked to students with an interested in diversity education and participatory pedagogies. - Special Education (013S)
--Linked to students with an interest in Psychology and Sociology.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission to program need to:
- Hold a current elementary or childhood teaching certificate from New York State. A copy of this certificate must be submitted as part of the application process;
- Have earned an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher;
- Complete an admission application available from The Graduate School and provide two official transcripts of all college/university coursework;
- Submit three appropriate letters of recommendation on professional letter head dated within the past year addressing the competency of the candidate for graduate study;
- Earn a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination.
Requirements for Completion of the Degree (36 credits)
Candidates are required to:
- Develop a plan of study with an advisor upon matriculation;
- Complete prescribed course work and other requirements within three years of matriculation;
- Maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 or better.
A typical four-semester program for a full-time student is possible. There is some flexibility in planning sequences of courses, depending on course availability.
