Contact Us
-
Graduate Admissions212-875-4404
-
Program Director, Early Childhood, Childhood, Cross Age, and Advanced Standing General Education212-875-4502
Childhood General Education
MSEd
-
Program Overview
Are you interested in working with children in first through sixth grades? Our Childhood General Education 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.
This program is open to international applicants.

-
Admissions & Tuition
This program has options to begin in the fall, spring, and summer.
The summer and fall applications are currently open.
Application Deadlines
- Applications are reviewed in rounds to ensure you receive a timely decision.
- You will have five business days after the application deadlines to finish providing any missing required materials. Incomplete applications will be moved to the next round for consideration.
- In some cases, applications submitted after the final deadline will be reviewed on a space available basis.
- We strongly encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. This guarantees the most timely admissions decision and the broadest consideration for scholarships and financial aid.
Summer 1, Summer 2
Round Application Deadline Materials Deadline Decision Release 1 January 2, 2026 January 7, 2026 February 4, 2026 2 February 1, 2026 February 6, 2026 March 2, 2026 3 March 1, 2026 March 6, 2026 April 2, 2026 Fall
Round Application Deadline Materials Deadline Decision Release 1 February 1, 2026 February 6, 2026 March 2, 2026 2 March 1, 2026 March 6, 2026 April 2, 2026 3 April 1, 2026 April 6, 2026 May 4, 2026 Admissions Criteria
No prior teaching certification is necessary for this program.
Please review How to Apply for full details on the application process, admissions criteria, and application requirements.
Tuition
At Bank Street, tuition is charged per credit. The Childhood General Education program requires 45 credits for completion. Read more on our Tuition page
Financial Aid
The majority of Bank Street students receive some type of financial aid. We strongly recommend applying early and submitting your FAFSA at the time you apply for the broadest consideration for scholarships and financial aid. Read more on our Financial Aid page
-
Curriculum & Courses
-
Supervised Fieldwork
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.
-
Certification & Careers
Certification
When you successfully complete the program, you will receive a master’s degree and be recommended for New York State Certification in Childhood Education, Grades 1-6, provided you complete all other state certification requirements. Read more on our Certification page
Careers
After graduation, students secure head, associate, or assistant teacher positions in public, charter, and independent schools in New York City and beyond with children grades 1 through 6. Some students who demonstrate prior experience and interest in a particular content area (such as mathematics) may seek teaching positions in sixth-grade classrooms in middle schools.
Additionally, students who are currently in associate or assistant teacher 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, including the CareerConnect job site, opportunities to attend job fairs and workshops, and connections to our alumni network nationwide.
-
Faculty
Mila Costa, PhDAdvisor/Instructormcosta@bankstreet.edu
Abby KerlinProgram Director, Early Childhood, Childhood, Cross Age, and Advanced Standing General Educationakerlin@bankstreet.edu 212-875-4502
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.