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Academic Programs

Childhood Special and General Education Dual Certification Residency Program

MSEd

  • Program Overview

    This teacher residency program (formerly known as the District 13 Childhood Special and General Education Residency) prepares students to be childhood special and general educators in diverse settings. The program is currently expanding to include school districts and organizations beyond New York City.

    • This two-year program begins in June.
    • In its first four years, cohorts were placed in New York City’s Districts 13 and 16 in Brooklyn,  as well as in District 3 in Manhattan. For cohort 5 and beyond, we will expand into other NYC public school districts, including the Literacy Academy Collective in District 17’s PS 191 Paul Robeson School in Brooklyn, as well as organizational partnerships. 
    • Students earn a stipend of up to $30,000. 
    • All residency cohort members will receive a scholarship reducing tuition approximately 50%. The scholarship does not apply to fees.
    • In the second year of the program, students will have the opportunity to become a full-time paid teacher.
    • NO prior teaching certification is necessary for this program.
    • This program culminates in a Master of Science in Education and requires 52 credits. 
    • This program is offered on campus, with site-specific public school experience.

    The program is designed for prospective teachers who are interested in working with students in special and general education. They will learn to: 

    • Construct developmentally responsive learning experiences that encourage all learners to follow their curiosities.
    • Create accessible curricula so all learners can explore literacy, literature, mathematics, science, arts, and social studies content.
    • Develop a strong social justice, anti-racist focus.
    • Apply New York State’s Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Framework to their practice.
    • Plan for dynamic and collaborative partnerships with families and school professionals.
    • Engage in critical explorations of themselves, others, and the wider world.

  • Admissions Requirements

    In addition to the main admissions criteria, there are additional requirements needed to apply for this program:

    A note for our international applicants regarding our Teacher Residency Programs offered through the New York State Department of Labor Empire State Teacher Residency Program.

    • If you are a student intending to applying with an F-1 Visa:  F-1 Visa recipients must promise to work in New York State for two years in a teacher capacity post graduation. Therefore, international students on F-1 Visas are unfortunately ineligible for our residency programs because they do not have immigration status to remain in the USA and work for more than one year following their graduation. A non-STEM degree F-1 Visa student is limited to one year of post-graduate work experience (also referred to as twelve month post completion Optional Practical Training or OPT).  
    • If you are a student who would apply as a DACA recipient: DACA recipients are eligible to participate in the Empire State Teacher Residency Program, as long as they represent that they intend to work in New York State in the required teacher capacity for two years.

    Questions? We encourage you to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for a personal response.

  • 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. In this program, you will:

    • Be supervised by your advisor, a core graduate faculty mentor, and an experienced teacher, who will visit you in your classroom once each month.
    • Participate in a weekly conference group of up to seven residents and your advisor.
    • Reflect on a lesson with your advisor once each month.
    • Meet individually with your advisor once each month.
    • You will work in a classroom setting as a resident five days a week.
    • During your residency you will experience:
      • Two age bands (grades 1-3 and grades 4-6)
      • General and special education
      • District 13 public school environments
  • Career Opportunities

    Your experience during your residency year makes you eligible to apply for a full-time head teaching position in a school in the same district.

    Childhood Special and General Education graduates also go on to:

    • Teach in general education, special education, or inclusion classrooms in public, charter, and independent schools.
    • Tutor or work as learning specialists in schools or in private practice.
    • Work in special education teacher support services (SETSS) roles.
  • Faculty

  • Certification

    When you complete the Childhood Special and General Residency Program, you will be eligible for your:

    • Initial certification in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6).
Meghan Dunn, Bank Street alumna and Deputy Supervisor of District 13 in Brooklyn, NY
Meet our alumni
To know people, to have connections—This is another Bank Street value—how we build relationships, like working together on the residency program. I think it’s going to prove to be a really good idea, and we’re curious about the ways that it’s going to roll out and have a great impact on both communities.
Meghan Dunn - Childhood General Education '08
Meet Meghan Meet Our Alumni