Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (BS)

Program Description

This dual-certification BS program in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education is designed to prepare teachers in both early childhood (birth through 2nd grade) and early childhood special education settings. The pedagogical core introduces students to an integrated curriculum and emphasizes the theories of teaching and learning, educational formation, and linguistic and developmental diversity in early childhood. The curriculum helps prospective teachers develop as decision-makers and reflective practitioners who are committed to working in urban schools and to using the city as a core resource for their learning. Prospective teachers are immersed in thoughtful discussions and interactions around the critical contemporary issues in education, especially those of developmental, linguistic, cultural, and racial diversity and educational equity. Each course in the program is tied to either fieldwork or student teaching, generating rich and authentic reflections upon theory and practice.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may teach children in early childhood schools and settings; teach or direct after-school or non-profit educational spaces; educate teachers and conduct research in schools and universities; and direct curriculum development and educational programs in schools, colleges, and universities. In non-school settings, graduates write, edit, and publish educational materials for children and work in children’s television and media, work with educational non-profit organizations, policy groups or centers, and governmental organizations focused on children and families.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU.  For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply. 

Program Requirements

¹

Steinhardt Liberal Arts Core

²

Selected by advisement.

Sample Plan of Study

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Build relationships with students and families with the goal of fostering student learning, engagement and well-being.
2. Integrate theory/research with pedagogical and classroom practice.
3. Develop and implement discipline-based curricula, unit plans and lessons that are coherent, use culturally relevant pedagogies, and foster experiential learning.
4. Create and apply classroom strategies that are explicit, innovative, appropriate for a specific context, and use technology to support student learning.
5. Develop a practice that is equitable and inclusive and acquire the skills of a professional educator.

Policies

Fieldwork Placement

Be advised that fieldwork placement facilities that provide training required for your program degree, and agencies that issue licenses for practice in your field of study, each may require you to undergo general and criminal background checks, the results of which the facility or agency must find acceptable before it will allow you to train at its facility or issue you a license. You should inform yourself of offenses or other facts that may prevent obtaining a license to practice in your field of study. NYU Steinhardt will not be responsible if you are unable to complete program requirements or cannot obtain a license to practice in your field because of the results of such background. 

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.