Childhood Education, BA
Department of Early Childhood and Multicultural Childhood Education
Program Overview
Childhood Education, BA
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Childhood Education is a four-year journey that prepares you to teach students from 1st Grade through 6th Grade.
This program is special because it gives you the “best of both worlds.” You will become an expert in a subject you love (like English, Math, Science, or History) while also learning the best ways to teach young children. By the time you graduate, you will have spent plenty of time inside real elementary schools, gaining the experience you need to get your New York State teaching license.
Major
Description
In this major, you aren’t just a student—you are a teacher-in-training. You will dive deep into “Liberal Arts,” which helps you understand the world, and then you’ll choose a concentration. This is like a “specialty” where you pick one area (like Mathematics or Science) to master.
What to Expect:
- Real Classrooms: You will complete “Clinical Practice,” which is like an internship where you work alongside professional teachers in local schools.
- Modern Skills: You’ll learn how to use technology to make lessons fun and how to help children who have different learning needs or disabilities.
- Test Prep: We don’t just leave you on your own; we provide special seminars to help you pass the New York State teacher exams (like the EAS and CST).
Benefits of Our Degree Program in Childhood Education
- Challenging associate and baccalaureate degree programs that will prepare you for a successful career in the education field
- Flexible full-time and part-time scheduling options for working students
- Dedicated faculty who make your success their priority
- A diverse student population and a dynamic social experience
- Rich field experiences which provide opportunities to work with racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse students in an urban community
- PreK-6 Lab Schools
- One-on-one assistance for persons with disabilities through the Office of Services for the Differently-Abled
- Child care options through the Ella Baker Child Development Center – a nurturing and safe educational environment
- A Freshman Year Program that helps incoming students navigate the crucial first year of college life
- World-class facilities conveniently located in the heart of Central Brooklyn
Student
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
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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.
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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. -
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.
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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.
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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.
Major
Requirements
As part of your degree, you must fulfill the CUNY Pathways general education requirements, which consist of the Common Core (Required and Flexible) and the Medgar Evers College Option. These courses provide the essential quantitative, scientific, and socio-cultural literacy that complements your technical training.
The major requires a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Required Core Courses (17 Courses):
- Education: EDUC 355, EDUC 381, EDUC 457, EDUC 481, EDUC 482, EDUC 491, EDUC 492, EDUC 494, EDUC 496, EDUC 498, EDUC 499, EDUC 501, EDUC 502, EDUC 503, EDUC 504, EDUC 505, EDUC 506, EDUC 507, EDUC 508
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: ENGL 209, FS 101, GEOG 101, HIST 201, MTH 231 OR MTH 220 OR PSYC 101 – Introductory Psychology
BA Teacher candidates must select one of the following concentration content areas.
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Sciences
Degree Map
A Degree Map is an essential advising tool. It provides a suggested sequence of courses designed to ensure students complete all degree requirements efficiently, typically within four years.
4-Year Degree Map
Flexible Learning Options
This program offers the same rigorous curriculum in two formats to fit your schedule:
- On-Campus: Traditional classroom experience.
- 100% Online: Fully asynchronous or synchronous remote learning for maximum flexibility.
- Note: Degree requirements and learning outcomes are identical for both tracks.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help
If you have questions regarding the Department of Education or need assistance navigating the application process, please reach out to our department office.
Chairperson: Dr. Tabora Johnson | tjohnson@mec.cuny.edu
Phone: 718 270-
Location: 1650 Bedford Avenue, B-1007