Early Childhood Special Education – MSEd, EdM
Expand your impact with a master’s degree focused on early childhood special education.
Designed for education professionals who already hold initial certification in early childhood general education, this program prepares you for additional certification to work with and advocate for young children with developmental and learning variations.
This evidence-based online program culminates in a Master of Science in Education or a Master of Education (for those students with a prior master’s degree in education).
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Our Program at a Glance
State Certification Eligibility
Become eligible for the New York State certification Teaching Students with Disabilities.
32 Credits
Our progressive, hands-on curriculum includes coursework and fieldwork experiences.
2 Start Dates Each Year
Classes start in May and September.
100% Online Coursework
Enjoy a rigorous yet flexible online learning experience that pairs coursework with faculty-led discussions and on-site fieldwork.
Early Childhood Special Education Master’s Program Overview
Discover creative ways to help children with developmental variations learn and grow.
As a student in this program, you will become well-grounded in child development and learn how to support the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of students with a variety of social, emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive variations from birth through grade 2.
You will learn to:
- Observe children and use that knowledge to guide and inform your teaching
- Engage all young children in play, active learning, and interaction
- Develop a strong social justice focus in order to advocate for and with children and families
- Plan for dynamic and collaborative partnerships with families and school professionals
- Develop skills in engaging with young children of varying development in meaningful ways
This program is for you if:
- You are seeking your permanent teaching certification.
- You want to work with children from birth through grade 2 in general, inclusion, and/or special education settings.
Prepare for a Range of Career Opportunities in Special Education
This special education master’s program prepares you to:
Teach in special education or inclusion classrooms in public, charter, and independent schools
Serve as an early-interventionist in social service or education-based agencies, as well as in hospitals and daycare settings
Work one-on-one as a special education itinerant teacher (SEIT) in home, classroom, and daycare settings
Early Childhood Special Education Careers By the Numbers
#3 for Employment Level
New York State has one of the highest levels of employment for early childhood, elementary, and special education teachers in the country (BLS, 2024).
Prepared in the Long Run
Bank Street is proud that 87% of its graduates remain in the field of education and 87% feel more confident in their specialty than comparison professionals.
$94,540
Annual mean wage for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, in the New York metropolitan area (BLS, 2024). Note: Salaries can vary based on several factors, including location, educational setting, and level of experience.
Applying
Applicants to this program must already hold a valid New York State certification in General Education at the Early Childhood or Childhood level.
Other criteria include:
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher from a regionally accredited college or university
- An aptitude for completing graduate-level coursework and academic projects of substantial scope
- A healthy motivation and commitment to children and their learning
Certifications
When you complete this program you will be eligible for your:
- New York State certification Teaching Students with Disabilities, Birth–Grade 2, for those who meet experience requirements and pass state assessments
Meet Our Alumni
“I chose Bank Street because I loved seeing all of the children’s work during the tour. The classrooms at the Bank Street School for Children were a game changer for me because I knew in my heart that student-driven work that’s organic and thoughtfully documented was at the heart of authentic teaching and learning. I graduated in 2012 from the Early Childhood Special Education program and was hired as a K–2 SETTS teacher at a charter school in Brooklyn.
Five years ago, I transitioned to New York City public schools right when they put in rigorous teacher evaluation systems and a Common Core–aligned Math and ELA curriculum. With these challenges and less time for play and student-driven work, I value what I learned at Bank Street more than ever. I learned to truly think outside of the box with best practices in mind and, above all, to be an advocate for children and families. Among other things, the advisory support you receive at Bank Street is what makes the school truly unique. Now as a learning specialist for a private school in Brooklyn, I will be referring back to the amazing courses at Bank Street that challenged me to look deeper into how children learn and think.”
Julie Lee
GSE ’12
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Connect with our enrollment team and learn more about Bank Street’s online graduate programs.