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Teaching Literacy and Childhood General Education Dual Certification
Peggy McNamara, Director: 212-875-4586
Master of Science in Education: 55 credits
This 55-credit program leads to certification in both Childhood General Education (grades 1- 6) and in Literacy (birth through grade 6). This program is right for you if you hope to work with children either as a classroom teacher with a focus on reading and language arts or as a reading and literacy specialist, and if you do not have prior certification in either early childhood education or elementary education.
As a graduate student, you will learn to develop age-appropriate curricula that encourage children to explore the full range of subject areas (reading, math, science, social studies and the arts), follow their own curiosity, and forge their own paths of learning. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the reading and writing process, learn to recognize when children are having difficulty with the normal processes of learning to read and write, and learn to develop instruction that meets their needs.
Course work and field experiences will give you the opportunity to develop a knowledge base for working with native English speakers, English language learners, and children with special needs from a broad range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Particular emphasis is placed on helping you understand the links between assessment and instruction, develop a wide repertoire of teaching strategies, and learn to address the academic, intellectual and emotional strengths and needs of children.
The program views reading, writing, and language development as integrated processes. Course work and field experiences are designed to help you to work both independently and collaboratively with other teachers, parents, and other professionals to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Certification in Education
You will earn professional New York State certification in both Childhood General Education (grades 1 through 6) and in Teaching Literacy (birth through grade 6), preparing you to work as a Specialist in the area of reading, writing and language arts.
Supervised Fieldwork / Student Teaching / Advisement
During one academic year, while you take courses, you will gain teaching experience and intensive advisory support through supervised fieldwork/advisement. Fieldwork will include experiences designing and implementing individual, small group, and whole class instruction. Students will have one ten-week placement in grades 1 - 3, one ten-week placement in grades 4 - 6, and a whole year concurrent placement under the supervision of a literacy specialist serving the needs of a broader range of children within the certification category.
Throughout your year of supervised fieldwork/advisement, your advisor will visit you in your setting each month. You will meet individually twice a month with your Bank Street advisor, and you will gather with a small, supportive peer group once a week throughout the fall and spring terms. The year 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), directed essay 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 Teaching Literacy and Childhood General Education Dual Certification program need to have a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences.
Further information
- Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions (212-875-4404) to ask questions or to schedule an informational interview.
- Download a printable flyer for this program, including course requirements.
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