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Academic Programs

Childhood General Education

MSEd

  • Program Overview

    Are you interested in working with children in first through sixth grades? Our General Education Childhood Program is for you!

    You will become well-grounded in child development by closely observing children and engaging them in active learning. The Childhood General Education program will help you develop the understanding that learning comes through play, social interaction, and sensory experiences as well as through engagement in the worlds of literacy, literature, mathematics, science, arts, and social studies.

    This program culminates in a Master of Science in Education and requires 45 credits.

    Faculty advisor and graduate student observing children

  • Admissions Requirements

    Please review our main admissions criteria.

     

  • Coursework

  • Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement

    Supervised fieldwork/advisement lies at the heart of a Bank Street education. Through sustained experiences in the field, supervision from core faculty, and close collaboration with peers, our graduate students develop the ability to connect theory to practice and to reflect deeply on their own growth as educators.

     

    STUDENT TEACHERS

    For those completing fieldwork as student teachers, you will:

    • Complete one academic year of supervised fieldwork experiences (Fall & Spring semesters).
    • Have three placements across grades in public, independent, and/or childcare settings in New York City.
    • Be assigned a faculty advisor once you enter fieldwork.
    • Have monthly advisor visits to your fieldwork placement sites.
    • Have at least two meetings per month with your advisor (one at your placement and one at the College; more if needed).
    • Participate in weekly Conference Group meetings with your advisor and a cohort of approximately eight graduate students.
    • Meet NYS age ban requirements through your fieldwork placements.

    WORKING TEACHERS

    For those completing fieldwork as working teachers (assistants and head teachers):

    • You’ll be supervised by a Bank Street faculty member who is an experienced teacher and advisor.
    • You’ll complete one academic year of supervised fieldwork experiences, always starting fall.
    • You’ll be supervised at the school where you will be or already are a full time faculty member, in the 1-6 grade range.
    • You’ll keep the same job at your school for the entire fieldwork year.
    • You’ll participate in an approximately eight-member weekly conference group, be observed working with children once a month, and have twice monthly individual meetings with your advisor.
    • Your advisor will guide you through coursework.
    • Meet NYS age ban requirements for additional supervised fieldwork experiences.

     

  • Career Opportunities

    After graduation, students secure head or assistant teaching positions in public, charter, and independent schools in New York City and beyond. Some students who demonstrate prior experience and interest in a particular content area (such as mathematics) may seek teaching positions in 6th grade classrooms in middle schools.

    Additionally, students who are currently in assistant teaching positions can move to head teacher positions. Head teachers who continue in their positions often develop teacher/leadership roles in public, charter, or independent schools.

    Students at Bank Street have full access to our robust Career Services offerings—CareerConnect job site, opportunities to attend job fairs and workshops—and connections to our alumni network nationwide.

     

  • Faculty

  • Certification

    Upon graduation, you will be recommended for New York State certification in Childhood General Education, grades 1 through 6.

    You will need to pass the Content Specialty MultiSubject: Teachers of Childhood and Educating All Students Exams to earn your certification. 

Alumni Spotlight: Meghan Dunn

Reflecting on her own experience as the principal of P.S. 446 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Bank Street alum Meghan Dunn was interviewed by Chalkbeat about how schools can help students cope with trauma.

Read the Interview Learn More About Meghan