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Sue Carbary, Director: 212-875-4509
Master of Science in Education: 36 credits
Master of Education: 36 credits
This dual degree program in Early Childhood Special Education and Social Work is especially designed for individuals who have a valid New York State certification in general education at the Early Childhood level who now wish to understand how to work with students with special needs and with their families. This program allows you to earn both your master's degree in Education from Bank Street (36 credits) and your master's degree in Social Work (48 to 54 credits) from Columbia University School of Social Work for fewer credits than if you earned the degrees separately.
Our interdisciplinary approach and the Bank Street developmental-interaction philosophy of early childhood education will provide you with a framework to support the growth, development and learning of the whole child in the context of their family and community. Through studying the ongoing cycle of observation, assessment and instructional planning you will be able to help young children realize their full functional and educational potential. You will learn to understand the relationships among culture, language and learning in families, communities, and educational program settings.
You will discover ways to recognize and nurture individual learning styles and build home/school connections. The program prepares you to work as an advocate for children and their families in clinical practice, program planning, classroom settings, or school social work.
For more information on the program at Columbia School of Social Work, call Karma N. Lowe at 212-851-2364.
Certification in Education
When you graduate from both programs,, you will be eligible for New York State initial certification in Early Childhood Special Education, prepared to work with a wide range of learners birth through age 8. The program leads to professional certification for those who complete all New York State requirements and complete two years of classroom teaching beyond the mentored experience.
Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement
During one semester of your Bank Street program, while you take courses, you will gain teaching experience and intensive advisory support through supervised fieldwork/advisement. During that semester, your Bank Street advisor will visit you in your setting each month, and meet individually with you twice a month. You will gather with a small, supportive peer group once a week. The semester of supervision and advisement is central to your professional growth and development as you become a successful educator.
Integrative Master's Project
Before graduating, you will complete an independent study (master's thesis), mentored directed essay, seminar-based master's project, or portfolio. Your choice will depend on your own goals and learning style. This project allows you to pursue an area of particular interest to you, or to weave together the threads and understandings of your Bank Street graduate experience.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Early Childhood Special Education Dual Degree with Columbia School of Social Work program need to have a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level. Application must be made to Bank Street College and to Columbia School of Social Work separately.
Degree Earned
Students for whom this is a first master's degree earn a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed). Students with a prior master's degree in Education earn an advanced Master of Education (Ed. M.) degree.
Further Information
More Early Childhood Programs (birth through grade 2):