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Early Childhood Education Degrees in New York

When you decide to become a teacher, you become part of one of the largest communities in the country. Not only must you uphold federal education standards that offer children access to high-quality schooling, you must be well-versed in the standards set forth by the state of New York.

If you’re looking for a teaching career that allows you to have a huge impact on the lives of students, the specialty of early education may be a natural choice for you.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in New York

The educational needs of New York students vary throughout the state, from rural parts of the state to the inner parts of New York City.

Prepare to meet the expectations of all New York students by contacting early childhood education programs today.

New York has increased educational spending several years in a row, with subsequent gains in testing scores and academic achievement typically following an increase in budget.

Early education helps students develop a love of learning, discover how to behave appropriately in a classroom setting, and find out how to ask questions that enhance learning.

It’s important for you to build a diverse set of skills and continue to develop them. Through the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, you may explore ongoing trends in education and find out how to use them in your career.

If you’re ready to get started in early childhood education, New York is the ideal place to be.

Browse the list of schools below and request information to find an option that suits you.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in New York

There are several ways you may become a licensed teacher in New York. If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you may get certified fairly quickly by pursuing an alternative certification program or a Master’s degree.

If this is your first time earning a degree, you must start with a Bachelor’s degree. This four-year degree includes 120 credits. Some schools allow you to attend courses year-round, which may permit you to graduate in less than four years.

Early Childhood Teacher Courses

  • Theories of Development Applied to Early Childhood Practice
  • Development, Assessment, Teaching, and Learning in Inclusive Settings
  • School, Family, and Community
  • Language Development and Emergent Literacy
  • Social Studies in Early Childhood Settings
  • Children’s Artistic Development
  • Children’s Musical Development

The courses you take should advance your progress toward your school’s learning outcomes. Each teaching program has specific learning outcomes that it expects teaching students to master.

By the time you graduate, you should understand the brain development of young children, how young children learn and retain information, and how you can build rapport with students of varying ages.

You test these skills by working in classrooms in your area. You may spend some time with infants in a local daycare center, teach toddlers in preschool classrooms, and teach kindergarten and early elementary grades at public and private schools. In total, you may have close to 1,000 hours of experience by the time you graduate.

Education is the biggest part of becoming a licensed teacher, but there are still more steps to take. Through the New York State Education Department, you must submit your transcripts and apply to take licensing exams. Completing the licensing process allows you to work independently in a classroom without supervision from another teacher.

Choosing a school that can help you blossom as a teacher is a crucial part of your success.

Compare early childhood teaching degrees at the schools listed below and reach out to nearby schools to learn more.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in New York

In general, the teaching industry in New York mirrors what is reported in other New England states.

Job openings may grow at a stable rate for several years, with O*Net expecting a 7% boost in job openings for preschool teachers by 2024 (2016). From 2014 through 2024, they anticipate a 3% boost in job openings for elementary school teachers (O*Net, 2016).

Teaching salaries in NY are often above national averages. Preschool teachers earn an average of $38,010 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Elementary school teachers claim an average income of $72,930 annually (BLS, 2016).

Throughout your career, you need to find out what current teaching research dictates and how it changes your role as a teacher. By joining the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children, you can be involved in statewide initiatives and national programs.

Can you change the future of New York education by becoming a teacher?

If you’re ready to try, request information on earning an early childhood education degree from New York schools below.