Childhood Education, BA

Department of Multicultural Early Childhood and Childhood Education

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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

Program and Degree

Requirements

The B.A. in Childhood Education requires a total of at least 120 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall. Key requirements are broken down into three main sections: Degree Requirements, General Education Requirements, and Major Requirements.

1. B.A. Degree Requirements

  • Total Credits: Earn at least 120 credits.
  • Residency: Earn at least 30 credits in Residence at Medgar Evers College.
  • GPA: Earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences: Earn at least 90 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences Content Courses.

2. General Education Requirements (CUNY Common Core & College Option)

These requirements cover the foundation of a liberal arts education.

  • Required Core (12 Credits):
    • English Composition: ENGL 112 and ENGL 150.
    • Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning: 1 course (e.g., MTH 115, MTH 136, or a STEM variant like MTH 141 (Finite Math), which is required for the BS/Business program).
    • Life and Physical Sciences: 1 course (e.g., BIO 101 or PHS 101).
  • Flexible Core (18 Credits – 6 Courses): Complete one course in each of the five areas, plus an additional Flexible Core course in any area.
    • World Cultures and Global Issues (e.g., ANTH 201).
    • U.S. Experience in its Diversity (e.g., HIST 200).
    • Creative Expressions (e.g., ART 100).
    • Individual and Society (e.g., ECON 212 or ECON 213).
    • Scientific World (e.g., CIS 101).
  • One Flexible Core Course (Any Area)

3. Major Requirements

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 (or Academic Pathway/Plan) is an advising tool that outlines a suggested sequence of courses to complete the B.A. in Childhood Education degree in a timely and efficient manner, often over four years (eight semesters).

4-Year Degree Map