Master of Science

Childhood Education

Engage Children in Meaningful and Relevant Classroom Learning

Build on your experience and knowledge and become a more effective elementary school teacher of students in grades 1-6.

The master's in childhood education provides you with advanced instructional techniques that enable children to improve their literacy language, listening, and learning skills while broadening their understanding of math, science, and social studies concepts. Our coursework emphasizes student engagement to build conceptual knowledge through strategic and targeted instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. The program includes focused coursework on literacy development and instruction.

Increase your understanding of current education standards, technology, classroom strategies, and assessment methods, and learn how to identify and intervene when students encounter challenges.

If you hold initial New York State (NYS) teacher certification in childhood education, or if you already hold permanent NYS teacher certification in another content area, the master's in childhood education enables you to pursue professional certification to teach grades 1-6. To enter the program, you must possess initial teaching certification in childhood education.

Program of Study
Program Highlights
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Program of Study

This curriculum is regularly updated to include current best practices of professionals working in the field. Coursework can be completed part-time online or part-time or full-time on campus.

Core Courses

Classroom Literacy Instruction
Children's Literature
Strategic Intervention to Prevent Literacy Difficulties
Literacy in Society
Teaching Writing, B-6
Teaching Social Studies, B-6
Data-Based Decision Making in Literacy Assessment, Policy, and Practice
Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School
Science for Children

Elective Courses (choose one)

Language Acquisition
Integrated Literacy Instruction, B-6
Media Literacy
Early Literacy Development, B-2
Literacy for English Language Learners
Assessment in Education
OR Approved University course as advised

To pursue professional certification once you complete the program, you must request the University recommend you to the New York State Department of Education.

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.
For more information, contact Reisha Rieder at [email protected].

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State and the institution has not made a determination regarding the educational requirements for any other state.

Median Annual Salaries: Albany, NY

Elementary Teacher: $63,277
Middle School Teacher: $60,327

Source: salaryexpert.com

"Education courses at the University at Albany enabled me to improve my teaching practice to the point that I received the prestigious New York State Excellence in Teaching Award."

– Alyssa Stoller, MS in Childhood Education, 2019

UAlbany graduate at Commencement

Attend a Top-Ranked Program

The School of Education has been delivering exemplary online courses for more than 20 years. In 2019, UAlbany online graduate programs in education were ranked 8th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

You can earn your master’s degree part-time or full-time through online courses and/or campus-based evening and summer classes that work with your schedule.

In this designated OpenSUNY+ program, you also have access to comprehensive support services including a 24/7 help desk, online tutoring, and personal advising.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Fall: July 15
Spring: November 30
Summer: April 15

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials

Transcripts from all schools attended (with at least a 3.0 GPA)
Three letters of recommendation (see Special Notes below)
Program-specific application questions
Official GRE scores*

*The department will also accept the following exams in lieu of GRE: edTPA, GMAT, Miller's Analogies, or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Please contact the Pathways Into Education Center (518-442-3529) with questions regarding the entrance exam requirement. In light of the current situation, applications will be considered for review without GRE (or approved alternative) scores. Official admission will be contingent on the receipt of exams scores; however, we encourage all interested individuals still apply.

Supplemental Documents

A teacher certification in childhood/elementary level from any state, or professional certification in any area.

Special Notes

The Childhood Education program requires three letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from a college/university professor/instructor. The other two letters can come from individuals who have observed you in a professional context. All the recommendations should come from people who would be able to evaluate your capability for academic success.

This program is available fully online. This program leads to NYS professional certification if you hold a NYS initial. This program does not lead to certification as a Literacy Specialist. This program is not available to international applicants.

Complete all questions on the application and take your time with the written questions. We read your responses carefully, not only for what you say but also to learn how you express your thoughts in writing. Be candid about your goals, experiences, and your own literacy abilities.

This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter, please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Available information for applicants.

Accreditation

This teacher education program is currently under review by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) for an accreditation decision in July 2021.

See accreditation data for details.

The teacher preparation programs in the Department of Literacy Teaching and Learning and the Division of Special Education are currently under review by AAQEP for an accreditation decision in July 2021. Below is institutional and programmatic data in accordance with this accreditation.

The School of Education offers programs that prepare new teachers and also those that already hold NY teacher or leader certification. Additionally, some of our programs lead to multiple certifications. As such, data on employment does not reflect the many career opportunities our graduates are afforded. For example, our Literacy MS leads to NY certification as a Literacy Specialist in grades B-6 or 5-12. This program requires prior NY teacher certification so not all graduates pursue positions in Literacy after degree completion, but remain in their current specialty area. The SUNY website provides data on those graduates only working in NY and the wages earned after a specified time after graduation.

Our graduates that elect to pursue NY State certification must successfully complete related certification exams. See our exam pass rates.

The satisfaction of degree completers is valuable data for our programs. See University collected data.

Students in our masters and certificate programs have six calendar years from the date of initial registration in the program to complete their program. Additionally, masters and certificate students are not required to enroll every semester. As such, time to graduation varies. Data on enrollments and degree awarded.

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Science

Our students demonstrate an understanding of the literacy knowledge and instruction appropriate for educational and/or community settings.
Students apply their understanding of diversity, equity, and technology to educational and/or community settings.
Students apply their content knowledge and understanding of literacy practices to the education and/or community setting of their choice through a reflective essay or inquiry project.

Careers and Advisement

The Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center is the central office on campus serving undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students interested in pursuing careers in education and programs leading to teacher certification.

Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

Graduate Advisement:
Email Graduate Advisement
(518) 442-3529