Academic Programs Overview | Degree Programs | Course Descriptions
Academic Calendar | Schedule of Classes | Graduate School Catalogue
Mimi Rosenberg, Director: 212-875-4544
Master of Science in Education: 47 credits
This comprehensive program in Middle School Special and General Education allows you to earn both your master's degree in Education (47 credits) from Bank Street 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.
Through Bank Street's portion of this dual degree program, you will gain the broad preparation you need to work with the wide range of learners in grades 5 through 9. The program emphasizes collaborative ways of working with families, other teachers, and professionals to help support the positive development and modes of learning in the early adolescent. You will come to understand the dynamics of early adolescent development as well as the school structures that best support cognitive and emotional growth - why do some schools succeed in meeting the needs of these children while others do not? This 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 certification in both Middle Childhood General Education and Middle Childhood Special Education, prepared to work with a wide range of learners in grades 5 through 9. As a graduate, you will be certified both as a middle childhood generalist, qualified to teach all subjects, and as a middle childhood specialist to teach English, social studies, a foreign language, mathematics, biology or earth science, as determined by your undergraduate major.
Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement
During one academic year, while taking courses, you will gain teaching experience and intensive advisory support through supervised fieldwork/advisement. You will do your Bank Street fieldwork as a student teacher, with placements both at the 5th or 6th grade level, and at the 7th, 8th or 9th grade level. At least one placement will be with children who have special needs.
Throughout your year of supervised field work/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 Middle School Special and General Education Dual Degree program need to have a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences, with a concentration in a subject that is taught at the middle school level: English, mathematics, a foreign language, social studies (history), biology, or earth science. You will need to apply both to Bank Street College and to Columbia University School of Social Work.
Further information
More Middle School Education programs (Middle Childhood certification, grades 5 to 9):