Manhattan’s state approved Childhood Education program provides students with the academic and practical skills to succeed in the classroom. The program leads to certification in teaching all subjects for grades 1–6 in a regular education elementary school classroom. Upon declaring your major, you will choose an academic concentration from these options:
Once you successfully complete all requirements in the Childhood Education program, as well as pass all NYS-mandated exams, you will be recommended for New York State initial certification to become an elementary school teacher.
The Curriculum
The childhood education teacher preparation program has three components:
- core course requirements in the liberal arts and sciences
- studies in your chosen academic concentration
- pedagogy: including all education courses, field experiences, and student teaching in the classroom
Each term, often beginning in freshman year, students will be in a classroom as an observer under the direction of the cooperating teacher. During senior year, childhood education students are required to fulfill one full semester of student teaching fieldwork in addition to their academic coursework. During the student teaching experience, students are encouraged to assume more responsibility, planning and leading daily lessons, and assisting their cooperating teachers in classroom management, organization, and grading.
Our campus is located in the Bronx, with fieldwork access to students in the New York City public school system. Students are placed in the most culturally and economically diverse school districts. In addition, students may be placed in local parochial and private schools.
Co-Curricular Experiences
In addition to our local school district, the Manhattan College campus and our local community provide numerous opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom, including:
Center for Academic Success: Become a one-on-one peer tutor for your fellow Manhattan College students in the Center for Academic Success where you will:
- help lead instructional sessions
- organize study groups
- participate in workshops designed to teach strategies and techniques that assist with academic challenges
Summer Literacy Institute: Serve as a mentor for local Bronx high school students during the Summer Literacy Institute when Manhattan College invites local high schoolers to live in the campus residence halls and get a feel for college life. Along with faculty members, you’ll work on a team of fellow student mentors to lead a writing workshop and walk the high school students through the college application process.
Center for Optimal College Readiness (COCR): Get involved with the COCR program and you’ll be placed in a local school where you’ll work with students to provide them:
- outreach tutoring
- mentoring
- help with academic counseling
- assistance with college applications