Bachelor’s Degree in
Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- On Campus
With a combination of rigorous academic study and extensive, clinically rich fieldwork, Monroe University’s Childhood Education program is designed to make a difference.
As our society evolves, so does the way we teach. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are just as important to student success as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Our Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education will prepare you to maximize learning outcomes for all students in grades 1-6, no matter what their background.
You’ll learn how risk factors in diverse communities can affect learning. You’ll understand the different developmental needs of both typical and delayed elementary school students. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to address those needs as a teacher.
You’ll learn how to make a difference.
Why a Major in Childhood Education?
Simply put, every child deserves a great teacher: someone who is both well-trained and well-attuned to the needs of their students.
At our School of Education, you’ll train in the best practices and latest theories of childhood education. You’ll learn how to plan lessons in every elementary subject, using instructional strategies that work for students at all levels of development.
You’ll also learn how to address systemic inequalities on both an individual and institutional level, and become an effective advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have accrued hundreds of hours of experience in real-world settings. Not only will you be ready to pass the New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE), but you’ll have built professional relationships that will help you to secure your first teaching position right out of college.
Curriculum
As any great teacher knows, it’s not just about what you teach: it’s about how you teach it. More than anything else, high-performing teachers are the single most important factor when it comes to student achievement.
You have to know more than elementary subject matter. You have to know how to communicate those concepts in a way that gets through to every student, no matter what their circumstances are — and our School of Education will show you how.
Your instructors will be skilled childhood education teachers themselves: professionals who combine academic research with decades of practical experience. From them, you’ll learn about:
- The fundamentals of psychology and child development
- The theoretical foundations of contemporary education
- How to develop a curriculum for students at every level
- Teaching in diverse classrooms
- Creating an inclusive classroom for students with disabilities and emergent bilingual learners
You’ll also build a foundation in all the subjects needed for elementary education, including:
- Environmental science
- Biology
- American history
- Literary criticism
- English literacy
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your skills to the test before you graduate. As a Childhood Education major, you’ll complete 180 hours of fieldwork in public, charter, and private schools throughout New York City and Westchester County. CE students also complete a minimum of 400 hours of supervised student teaching in grades 1-6. By the time you finish your degree, you’ll have completed roughly 600 hours of field experience in a wide range of teaching styles and environments.
While a foreign language requirement is built into the Childhood Education curriculum, students may also choose to pursue a 15-credit Bilingual Education Extension for teaching in both Spanish and English.
Our Childhood Education program will do much more than prepare you for your New York State teacher certification. It will help you to become the high-performing teacher that every student needs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education?
We designed our Childhood Education program to be completed in eight (8) semesters. With our three (3)-semester academic calendar, full-time students can finish their degree in less than three (3) years.
BS Childhood Education Degree Requirements:
120 total credits
- 57 credits of major-related credits
- 39 credits of general education and related courses
- 24 credits for a concentration in English and Social Science
Childhood Education majors may also apply for an additional 15-credit Bilingual Education Extension.
In addition to completing the required fieldwork for their Childhood Education classes, students are required to maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average.
BS in Childhood Education students are also eligible to participate in the Monroe University Honors Program, which allows students to complete advanced, multidisciplinary academic work.
Learn more about the requirements for a Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree.
Education Student Teaching I and II
To provide Childhood Education majors with essential student teaching experience, our School of Education has partnered with public schools, charter schools, and independent private schools throughout the New York City metro area. Over the course of two semesters, students will get to practice their teaching skills under the supervision of both their cooperating teachers and the School of Education faculty.
As student teachers, CE majors will learn:
- How to develop short and long-term plans and lessons that adhere to both the current school curriculum and New York State Next Generation Learning Standards.
- How to develop classroom management and engagement strategies to create a positive, productive classroom environment in which all learners are valued and respected.
- How to implement culturally responsive practices, including academic language supports, to address the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
Just as our student teachers provide a valuable service to our partner schools, our partner schools provide a valuable service to our students. As they hone their teaching skills in a practical classroom setting, Childhood Education majors also get to know their potential employers.
Through their student teaching experiences, Childhood Education students also develop an educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) portfolio, an important tool to demonstrate readiness to teach upon graduation.
Admission Requirements
First-time applicants to our undergraduate programs must fulfill the following admissions requirements:
- Candidates must possess either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
- Candidates must also submit a completed application for admission, as well as a personal statement or essay.
In addition to the general admissions and education requirements, applicants must also:
- Have a high school grade average of 80 or higher, or a college GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Place into college-level math and English via the math and English Language Arts Accuplacer exams
- Interview with School of Education faculty or staff
Tuition and Financial Aid
How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Childhood Education Cost?
If you’re applying for a Childhood Education degree, then one thing is certain: you believe that everyone deserves the benefit of a great education.
So do we.
Monroe offers affordable tuition and fees and manageable payment plans, but we don’t leave it at that. Just like the teachers we graduate, we believe in going the extra mile for our students. That’s why our financial aid office works with you to secure all the scholarships, grants, and loans for which you’re eligible.
Monroe is also proud to announce our partnership with the New York State Education Department’s Teacher Opportunity Corps II (TOC II). The TOC II funds our Teaching Professions Scholarship (TPS), which offers qualified candidates from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree with no out-of-pocket tuition costs.
Your Future Childhood Education Career
At our School of Education, we aim to train high-performing teachers who can serve diverse communities. Our graduates are well-represented in public, private, and charter elementary schools throughout New York State.
Professional Opportunities
In addition to their fieldwork and student teaching requirements, CE majors enjoy plenty of networking and development opportunities as they pursue their degree. Our School of Education is proud to be a member of:
- The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) - With numerous professional events and seminars throughout the year, AACTE is devoted to elevating educator preparation through research, advocacy, and collaboration.
- The New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACTE) - An affiliate of AACTE, NYACTE focuses on educator training specifically throughout New York State.
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) - ASCD supports educators in creating sustainable strategies to promote long-term success in communities worldwide. They offer webinars, networking events, and more, promoting innovation in contemporary curriculum development.
- AlphaBet Club (ABC) - AlphaBet Club is an international not-for-profit organization devoted to using education to break the cycle of poverty.
There’s a lot to choose from — which is why our dedicated support team is always there to guide you to the opportunities that are right for you.
Discover What You Can Achieve
We know our Childhood Education majors are passionate about their future careers. They’re willing to go above and beyond for their students. Our job is to make sure they have the tools they need to do it… and they will.
Make a Difference in the Lives of Others… and Make a Difference in Your Own. Join the ranks of high-performing teachers making a difference.
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