General Information

The Medgar Evers College School of Education’s undergraduate degree program in Childhood Education prepares students for professional standards of teaching excellence, and the New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education, 1-6. The Childhood Education Undergraduate Program is registered by the New York State Department of Education. It is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), as well as is recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

The program offers associate and baccalaureate degree programs and dual certificate degree programs that prepare students for a successful career in the education field.

To construct meaningful, realistic classroom experiences and to see the connection/relationship between theory and practice, candidates in the program’s education courses engage in field experiences and two semesters of practicum.
To accommodate diverse students, the program accepts transfer credits for certain courses with a grade point average of 2.5 or better from colleges and universities accredited by agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education.

The program’s mission is “to prepare change agents for classrooms, schools and communities who educate to liberate” and meet the School of Education’s eight standards: Knowledge, Personal & Global Consciousness, Analytic Ability, Creativity, Professionalism, Effective Communication, Collaboration, and Commitment & Care serve.

Students enrolled in dual certificate degree programs, specifically special and general education, receive financial support through scholarships from Federal grants totaling over $4M. These special education scholars participate in additional preparation to work with the growing population of culturally and linguistically diverse students with and without developmental disabilities in our nation’s early childhood and elementary school settings.

The program is committed to providing a holistic, integrated, urban, multicultural educational experience for all students preparing to be teachers who work and live within the Central Brooklyn community to promote and provide the best education for all children within and beyond the community.

The Department currently offers the following degree programs:

AA Teacher Education
BA Childhood Education

The program can only be taken with a concentration in a content area from one of the liberal arts and science programs. Incoming Students in the program must select one of the following concentration content areas:

English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Psychology (Early Childhood and Special Education Degree only) (Note: The Department does not offer an Early Childhood Degree)

Program Learning Outcomes

Teacher Education, A.A. – Program Learning Outcomes

1. Pedagogical Knowledge Teacher candidates will plan and implement effective instruction using a variety of strategies, resources, and assessment tools, including print and digital media, to support learning for all students.

2. Technology Teacher candidates will use digital and computational tools to collect, analyze, and communicate information, promote collaboration, and evaluate assistive technologies to create equitable and inclusive learning environments.

3. Culture and Identity Teacher candidates will demonstrate culturally responsive and sustaining teaching practices, incorporating students’ racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identities into classroom instruction and learning experiences.

4. Professionalism Teacher candidates will exhibit ethical, reflective, and socially responsible professional behavior, including effective communication, collaboration with families and colleagues, and critical analysis of biases and policies that affect education.

5. Clinical Experience Teacher candidates will engage in supervised field experiences in diverse educational settings, applying instructional, cultural, and technological knowledge to support student learning and creating safe, inclusive classroom environments

Childhood Education, A.A. – Program Learning Outcomes

1. Pedagogical Knowledge Teacher candidates will plan and implement effective instruction using a variety of strategies, resources, and assessment tools, including print and digital media, to support learning for all students.

2. Technology Teacher candidates will use digital and computational tools to collect, analyze, and communicate information, promote collaboration, and evaluate assistive technologies to create equitable and inclusive learning environments.

3. Culture and Identity Teacher candidates will demonstrate culturally responsive and sustaining teaching practices, incorporating students’ racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identities into classroom instruction and learning experiences.

4. Professionalism Teacher candidates will exhibit ethical, reflective, and socially responsible professional behavior, including effective communication, collaboration with families and colleagues, and critical analysis of biases and policies that affect education.

5. Clinical Experience Teacher candidates will engage in supervised field experiences in diverse educational settings, applying instructional, cultural, and technological knowledge to support student learning and creating safe, inclusive classroom environments.

How to Become a Teacher in New York

To become a New York teacher, a candidate must meet the requirements stipulated by the Office of Teaching Initiatives of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Like most states, New York requires that all state teachers hold a bachelor’s degree, complete a New York teacher certification program, and pass the required content examinations. Upon meeting the requirements for certification, an applicant may be issued an initial certificate, valid for five years. This entry-level certificate leads to the professional certificate, which is an advanced-level license that is continuously valid, assuming the teacher completes the appropriate number of professional development hours every five years.

New York Teacher Testing Requirements
There are several exams that are required for obtaining a teaching license in special education and general education in New York. The first is the Educating All Students (EAS) test, which measures direct teaching skills and knowledge. All prospective teachers must also pass the edTPA, which measures teaching performance and instructional practice. To teach in a general education setting, which requires candidates to teach core subjects, they must also pass the appropriate Content Specialty Test (CST), specifically the multi-subject test at either the early childhood level. To teach in a special education setting, candidates must pass the Content Specialty Test: Students with Disabilities. You can find more specific information through the New York State Teacher Certification

Examinations Website
The Developmental and Special Education receives requests to certify a candidate as a teacher following graduation in June, July, and August, so it’s recommended to send in all information three to four months before an estimated employment date. The required steps to obtain a New York educator certificate are as follows:

Verification of background clearance by the state.
•   Official transcripts showing proof of bachelor’s degree.
•   Proof of completing a teacher preparation program at an approved school.
•   Passing scores on the required examinations.
•   Completed application for teaching certification in New York.
•   Payment of non-refundable processing fees.

Department: Multicultural Early Childhood and Elementary Educ