Bank Street Graduate School of Education has launched a new partnership with Wesleyan University to create accelerated master’s degree pathways in Early Childhood and Childhood General Education. The initiative offers Wesleyan students a unique opportunity to fast-track their graduate education while preparing to become the kind of curious and courageous teachers today’s schools need.
Through the partnership, qualified Wesleyan students who have completed prerequisite coursework in education and psychology can apply during their senior year—or within three years of graduation—for admission to begin graduate studies at Bank Street. Students may transfer up to eight undergraduate credits toward their master’s degree, saving both time and approximately 26 percent in tuition costs.
Bank Street program director Abby Kerlin said, “We are thrilled to offer this unique partnership program that further bolsters students’ undergraduate foundation as social justice educators and builds their capacity for thoughtful, reflective teacher research, curriculum development, and relationship-building.”
The two accelerated programs provide a balance of coursework, mentored fieldwork, and reflective practice. Along with a deep understanding of child development, students will learn Bank Street’s developmental-interaction approach for active learning that makes use of play, social interactions, and sensory experiences along with engagement in the worlds of literacy, literature, mathematics, science, arts, and social studies. Extensive hands-on practice in classrooms provides the training students need to stand out as forward-thinking educators and changemakers who are confident, well-prepared, and ready to make a difference.
Graduates will join a national and global community of educators dedicated to equity, inquiry, and advocacy for children and families. With access to this supportive professional network, they will also have lifelong development opportunities and mentorship.
Students can pursue an MSEd in Early Childhood General Education, which leads to eligibility for New York State teacher certification for Birth through Grade 2, or an MSEd in Childhood General Education, which leads to certification for Grades 1 through 6. The programs begin as early as Fall 2026, with scholarships and financial aid available.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to RSVP for a Virtual Information Session on January 14, 2026.
For more information, contact Program Director Abby Kerlin at akerlin@bankstreet.edu or Director of Graduate Admissions Andie Hine at gradadmissions@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4404.