The Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education program offers an integrated combination of rigorous academic study and clinically rich fieldwork focusing on the needs of all learners in grades 1-6. The program offers a 12-month, full-time and part-time course of study, combining in person, hybrid, and online courses. Students complete 180 hours of fieldwork in a variety of settings prior to student teaching; each setting is designed to support course work while helping to develop teaching competencies in focused learning environments. Students complete two semesters of student teaching, each for a minimum of 200 hours, in compliance with NYSED regulations. Students are prepared to earn New York State teaching certification in childhood education grades 1-6. 

This program is intended to develop high performing, skilled, and passionate educator-practitioners who advocate for and are committed to the success of all their students. Childhood Education (CE) candidates become well-versed in all aspects of the development of typical and delayed elementary children; understand the challenges and heightened risk factors facing diverse families and schools; are well-equipped to provide effective instruction and intervention for all learners; and demonstrate the appropriate dispositions to be effective teachers. Additionally, they are well equipped to address the issues of systemic racism and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion for their students and in their schools. Ideally, graduates will be the kind of teachers whose high performance can account for as much as 5-6 months more student learning than low performing teachers. Ultimately, Monroe Childhood Education graduates are well-positioned to make a difference in the lives of the children they teach.

Upon completion of the BS in Childhood Education, graduates will be able to:

1. Create respectful, supportive, culturally relevant and challenging learning environments.
2. Plan developmentally and culturally appropriate lessons for all learners in a variety of settings.
3. Implement lessons in all academic areas including reading, writing, critical thinking, and problem solving, using a variety of instructional strategies.
4. Implement formal and informal assessments to monitor progress and ensure continuous development of all learners.
5. Demonstrate ability to reflect on professional practice for continuous improvement.
6. Meet the academic and assessment criteria to become a certified teacher in New York State.
7. Secure a first teaching position.

Bilingual Extension

BS Early Childhood Education or BS Childhood Education students may elect to apply to the 15-credit bilingual extension program. For more information, visit Bilingual Extension.

Honors Program

Many BS Early Childhood Education and BS Childhood Education students participate in the Monroe College Honors Program. In addition to taking select Honors courses, students complete an additional 6 credits by taking HN-150 The Honors Experience  and HN-450 Honors Program Research Seminar  For full Honors Program requirements, visit Honors Program.

Academic Requirements

Students are required to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.  First year courses, ED-101 Foundations of Education, ED-320 Normal Speech and Language Development and Linguistics, ED-320 Normal Speech and Language Development and Linguistics, and ED-390 Education Seminar I do not have an earned grade requirement. Beyond these courses, with the exception of ED-330 Teach Literacy, Including Literature Across the Curriculum in Early Childhood And Childhood Including Gifted and Students With Disabilities and English Language Learners and ED-350 Teaching Social Studies in Diverse Classrooms Including Gifted and Students With Disabilities and English Language Learners, where students are required to earn a C+ or better, all other Education courses require a B or better for students to move forward with the program.