Bank Street Graduate School of Education has launched four new online programs to help address the national teacher shortage and provide aspiring educators across the country with access to the Bank Street approach to teaching and learning. The new programs will begin in Fall 2026 with a focus on early childhood general education, elementary general education, and teaching students with disabilities in early childhood education.
Designed to provide graduate students with flexibility to complete multiple certifications—such as both general and special education—in fewer credits, the new programs allow them to complete their degree and enter the workforce more quickly. With courses that build on each other sequentially, the redesigned curricula support a strong cohort model and strengthen educator knowledge and skills in working with children from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
“We’re excited to expand our online offerings to support aspiring teachers committed to making a powerful difference in the lives of young learners,” said Suzanne McCotter, Dean, Bank Street Graduate School of Education. “Like all our graduate programs, the new online offerings combine the study of human development, learning theory, and sustained clinical practice to produce well-prepared educators who are ready to provide their students with meaningful learning opportunities best suited for their learning and growth.”
Bank Street’s online programs are unique, combining the convenience of online coursework with supervised fieldwork experiences in educational settings and peer support. This approach helps graduate students connect theory with practice to become well-prepared educators who are ready to apply a learner-centered, strengths-based approach to teaching and learning across classroom settings for children.
The new early childhood general education (birth–grade 2) and elementary general education (grades 1–6) programs ground educators in child development and the practice of closely observing children and engaging them in active learning. The programs support understanding that learning happens through play, social interaction, and sensory experiences, as well as through engagement in core subject areas such as literacy, literature, mathematics, science, arts, and social studies. Both programs culminate in a Master of Science in Education.
The new program focusing on teaching students with disabilities in early childhood education (birth–grade 2) grounds educators in an understanding of child development and disability. Graduate students learn to implement strategies based on current research of inclusive practices and specialized knowledge of disabilities. The program culminates in a Master of Science in Education or a Master of Education. An abbreviated course of similar study culminates in advanced certification for educators who hold an initial or professional certification and a master’s degree.
Bank Street’s approach to teacher preparation is proven to yield exceptional results, including higher teacher confidence, stronger preparedness, and a long-term commitment to the field of education. According to a study conducted by the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education, Bank Street graduates are more likely to express confidence in their preparation and remain in education longer than their peers. They are also highly sought after by principals and directors of educational institutions nationwide, with 90 percent of employers saying Bank Street graduates are well- or very well-prepared as teachers.
The application process for master’s degree programs in early childhood general education, elementary general education, and teaching students with disabilities in early childhood education begins on April 1. Admissions for the teaching students with disabilities in early childhood education certificate program open on June 1. Learn more about Bank Street Graduate School of Education’s online education programs at graduate.bankstreet.edu/academics/online-programs