Bachelor’s Degrees in Elementary Education in New York City
Pursuing a degree in Elementary Education in New York City offers an exciting opportunity to shape young minds in one of the most vibrant and diverse urban centers in the world. This field of study equips future educators with the skills and knowledge needed to foster academic, social, and emotional growth in children from kindergarten through grade six. With a focus on curriculum development, classroom management, and innovative teaching strategies, students are prepared to meet the unique challenges of today’s classrooms. NYC’s rich cultural landscape provides unparalleled access to resources, professional networks, and real-world teaching experiences, making it an ideal destination for aspiring educators passionate about making a lasting impact on young learners.
Touro University
Touro University is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment for aspiring elementary educators. Known for its commitment to innovation and inclusivity, the university offers a robust program in Elementary Education, integrating theory and practical application.
Curriculum Details:
- Degree Tracks and Coursework: Offers a Bachelor of Science in Special Education/General Education with two tracks—Early Childhood (Birth–Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grades 1–6). Requires 130 credits, including a psychology concentration (31 credits) and education coursework (41 credits).
- Certification and Career Preparation: Graduates are eligible for New York State Initial Teacher Certification upon meeting NYSED requirements. The program also offers minors in Early Childhood and Childhood Education for non-education majors.
- Website: www.touro.edu
- Phone: (212) 463-0400
- Directions: Located in Manhattan, Touro University is easily accessible via the 1, 2, or 3 subway lines.
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Baruch College combines academic excellence with affordability, offering a comprehensive Elementary Education program tailored for urban teaching environments. Students benefit from diverse internship opportunities within NYC public schools.
Curriculum Details:
- Integrated Curriculum: The program combines foundational coursework in child development, instructional strategies, and curriculum design, tailored to meet the educational needs of young learners.
- Practical Experience: Students engage in supervised fieldwork and student teaching placements, providing hands-on experience in diverse early childhood and elementary educational settings.
- Website: www.baruch.cuny.edu
- Phone: (646) 312-1000
- Directions: Located on Lexington Avenue, accessible via the 6 subway line.
New York University (NYU)
NYU’s Steinhardt School offers an acclaimed program in Elementary Education, blending academic rigor with opportunities for hands-on teaching in NYC’s diverse school settings.
Curriculum Details:
- Integrated Curriculum: Combines foundational coursework in child development, literacy, mathematics, science, and the arts, alongside specialized training in special education practices.
- Extensive Field Experience: Each course includes fieldwork or student teaching components, providing hands-on experience in diverse urban classroom settings.
- Website: www.nyu.edu
- Phone: (212) 998-1212
- Directions: Situated in Greenwich Village, accessible via the A, C, E, B, D, F, and M subway lines.
CUNY Hunter College
Hunter College’s School of Education is renowned for its focus on urban education, equipping students with tools to address the unique challenges of teaching in diverse communities.
Curriculum Details:
- Integrated Curriculum: Students complete 42 to 45 credits over 4 or 6 semesters, combining liberal arts and sciences coursework with professional education courses.
- Extensive Field Experience: The program emphasizes immersive fieldwork, embedding students in schools from the beginning to gain practical experience in diverse elementary school settings.
- Website: www.hunter.cuny.edu
- Phone: (212) 772-4000
- Directions: Located on the Upper East Side, accessible via the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines.
Pace University
Pace University provides an Elementary Education program that emphasizes personalized learning and innovative teaching methods, preparing graduates to excel in today’s classrooms.
Curriculum Details:
- Integrated Curriculum: Students complete a 30-credit concentration in Biology, English, History, Mathematics, or Spanish (NYC Campus only), alongside education courses covering child development, instructional strategies, and inclusive education practices.
- Extensive Field Experience: Beginning in their junior year, students participate in immersive fieldwork and student teaching experiences, including tutoring and small group instruction, to apply learned concepts in real-world settings.
- Website: www.pace.edu
- Phone: (212) 346-1200
- Directions: Easily reached from Lower Manhattan via the 2, 3, 4, 5, J, and Z subway lines.
St. Joseph’s University-New York
St. Joseph’s University offers a dynamic Elementary Education program, incorporating real-world teaching experience in Brooklyn’s diverse school districts.
Curriculum Details:
- Early Classroom Experience: Students gain hands-on experience at the on-campus Dillon Child Study Center, working with children from infancy through sixth grade.
- Diverse Concentrations: The program offers over 10 areas of concentration, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests within child education.
- Website: www.sjny.edu
- Phone: (718) 940-5800
- Directions: Conveniently located near the B and Q subway lines.
New Jersey City University (NJCU)
NJCU’s Elementary Education program is rooted in community engagement and culturally responsive teaching practices.
Curriculum Details:
- Curriculum Focus: The program emphasizes incorporating technology into classroom activities, addressing diverse learning styles, and staying current with educational trends and demands.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must submit a completed graduate application form (including a $55 non-refundable application fee), a 250-500 word essay discussing their goals and objectives for pursuing admission to the degree program, official transcripts from all previous U.S. colleges attended or an official NACES course-by-course evaluation of any foreign transcripts, and passing scores on the Praxis II Content Knowledge: Elementary Education Multiple Subjects exam.
- Website: www.njcu.edu
- Phone: (201) 200-2000
- Directions: Accessible via the PATH train to Journal Square and NJ Transit buses.
Pillar College
Pillar College offers a faith-based approach to Elementary Education, blending traditional pedagogical training with an emphasis on character development and leadership. The program is designed to prepare educators for diverse classrooms.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The program encompasses foundational courses such as “Foundations of Teaching,” “Teaching the Exceptional Child,” and subject-specific methods courses like “Teaching and Assessing K-6 Literacy,” “Mathematics,” “Social Studies,” and “Science.
- Field-Based Learning: Students engage in hands-on classroom experiences starting in their first year, participating in field-based learning with experienced teachers. This practical approach is further enhanced in the final year through clinical practice, where students refine their skills in real classroom settings.
- Website: www.pillar.edu
- Phone: (973) 803-5000
- Directions: Located in downtown Newark, easily accessible via NJ Transit trains and buses.
CUNY Queens College
Queens College provides a rigorous Elementary Education program with a focus on urban teaching. Students gain hands-on experience through partnerships with local schools in the borough of Queens.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Students complete pre-professional courses followed by a professional preparation sequence, covering areas such as language and literacy development, mathematics, science, and social studies instruction.
- Co-Major Requirement: In addition to education courses, students must complete a co-major or a minor plus additional credits in a liberal arts and sciences discipline, ensuring a well-rounded academic foundation.
- Website: www.qc.cuny.edu
- Phone: (718) 997-5000
- Directions: Accessible via the E and F subway lines or the Q64 bus to Kew Gardens Hills.
Montclair State University
Montclair State University offers a nationally recognized Elementary Education program focused on teacher leadership and inclusive education.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The program offers a professional course sequence and clinical experiences that emphasize teaching for critical thinking and culturally responsive teaching.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts field, complete the admission application, meet the admission requirements, and submit a passing score on the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills test.
- Website: www.montclair.edu
- Phone: (973) 655-4000
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit trains to Montclair State University station.
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall offers a well-rounded Elementary Education program, blending academic preparation with extensive hands-on training in local schools.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Coursework and Dual Majors: Students complete a major in education alongside a second major in a liberal arts or sciences field, covering essential subjects such as child development, diverse classroom dynamics, early literacy, and teaching methods for various subjects.
- Extensive Clinical Experience: The program incorporates multiple field placements, including three pre-clinical internships during the sophomore and junior years, followed by a year-long senior clinical internship. These experiences provide practical teaching exposure in diverse educational settings.
- Website: www.shu.edu
- Phone: (973) 761-9000
- Directions: Easily accessible via NJ Transit trains to South Orange station.
Kean University
Kean University is renowned for its Elementary Education program, emphasizing innovative teaching practices and cultural responsiveness.
Curriculum Details:
- Dual Focus on Education and Content Specialization: Students pursue a major in elementary education alongside a second major or content area specialization in fields like English, mathematics, history, Spanish, or the sciences. This combination enhances subject matter expertise and teaching effectiveness.
- Progressive Fieldwork and Clinical Practice: Beginning in the sophomore year, students engage in field experiences that increase in responsibility, culminating in senior-level clinical internships. This structured approach provides practical teaching experience in multicultural and inclusive school environments.
- Website: www.kean.edu
- Phone: (908) 737-5326
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit trains to Union station.
Caldwell University
Caldwell University integrates faith-based values with its Elementary Education program, preparing students to teach with compassion and excellence.
Curriculum Details:
- Dual Major Structure: Students complete a major in education alongside a content major in areas such as Art, English, Math, Music, Science (Biology or Chemistry), Psychology, Social Studies, or World Language, ensuring comprehensive subject knowledge.
- Integrated Certification Options: The program is organized to be completed within four years (120 credits) and encourages students to earn additional certifications, such as Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD), to enhance marketability to school districts.
- Website: www.caldwell.edu
- Phone: (973) 618-3000
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit buses from Port Authority.
William Paterson University of New Jersey
William Paterson University offers an Elementary Education program focused on innovative teaching practices and community engagement.
Curriculum Details:
- Dual Major Requirement: Students must complete a 30-credit sequence in elementary education alongside a second major in an approved liberal arts or sciences discipline, ensuring comprehensive subject matter expertise.
- Progressive Field Experiences: The program incorporates structured field experiences, including a practicum and student teaching, allowing candidates to apply learned theories in real classroom settings.
- Website: www.wpunj.edu
- Phone: (973) 720-2000
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit buses from Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Dominican University New York
Dominican University offers a robust Elementary Education program with a focus on ethical teaching and community service. Students gain practical experience through partnerships with local schools.
Curriculum Details:
- Comprehensive Coursework: The program includes foundational courses that cover child development, learning theories, diversity, and educational philosophy, as well as professional courses focusing on teaching methods for subjects like reading, writing, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, physical education, and the fine arts.
- Extensive Field Experience: Students engage in early and frequent field experiences, culminating in a semester-long student teaching placement in partner elementary schools during their senior year, providing hands-on teaching practice in diverse educational settings.
- Website: www.duny.edu
- Phone: (845) 359-7800
- Directions: Accessible via the Palisades Parkway or NJ Transit buses.
Hofstra University
Hofstra University’s School of Education offers a dynamic Elementary Education program, integrating coursework with immersive field experiences. Students benefit from Hofstra’s strong connections with nearby school districts.
Curriculum Details:
- Dual Major Structure: Students initially select a major in liberal arts, sciences, or engineering, completing 45 semester hours in their chosen field during the first two years. Subsequently, they apply to the School of Education to declare a major in Early Childhood/Childhood Education. This approach ensures a strong foundation in both subject matter and pedagogical skills. hofstra.edu
- Extensive Fieldwork and Student Teaching: The program integrates progressive field experiences, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in diverse classroom settings. This hands-on approach culminates in full-time student teaching, providing practical experience essential for effective teaching.
- Website: www.hofstra.edu
- Phone: (516) 463-6600
- Directions: Accessible via the LIRR to Hempstead or Mineola stations, with shuttle services available.
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Ramapo College offers a well-rounded Elementary Education program emphasizing experiential learning and culturally responsive teaching. Students are prepared for success in a variety of educational settings.
Curriculum Details:
- Integrated Graduate Coursework: During the third and fourth undergraduate years, students begin graduate-level courses that count toward both degrees, covering topics such as diverse learner engagement, language and literacy development, and professional skills implementation.
- Comprehensive Clinical Practice: The program includes a year-long clinical practice internship, with a part-time placement (180 hours) in the fall semester and a full-time placement (525 hours) in the spring semester, providing extensive hands-on teaching experience in various educational settings.
- Website: www.ramapo.edu
- Phone: (201) 684-7500
- Directions: Accessible via NJ Transit trains to Mahwah or NJ Transit buses.