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Long Island school districts are partnering with universities, including Adelphi, to combat a shortage of substitute teachers.
Childhood Education
Earn your master’s degree in childhood education with exceptional student teaching opportunities and experiences.
Why Study Childhood Education?
A master’s degree in childhood education examines the foundations of childhood education and will teach you how children develop intellectually, socially and emotionally. You’ll learn how to teach elementary school students in the areas of English language arts, math, science and social studies, gaining a greater knowledge of the content in each discipline and practicing practical ways to teach these subjects.
Why Earn Your MA in Childhood Education at Adelphi in New York?
- Receive rigorous preparation in observation and student teaching opportunities through our strong partnerships with local school districts, where Adelphi education students are in demand and have an excellent reputation.
- Become an empathetic and effective educator as you gain an understanding of the issues of equity and justice that impact our schools.
- Earn your degree at a pace that works for you, with options for full- and part-time enrollment and convenient evening classes.
- Take classes either in person on our beautiful Garden City campus or online through our online childhood education master’s degree program.
Note that this program is for students who do not currently hold certification in elementary (childhood) education.
Additional Advanced Certification Opportunities
Successful graduates of this program are certified to teach grades 1-6. After completing the program, you may choose to pursue additional advanced certifications in:
- TESOL
- Literacy Education (Birth-Grade 6 and Grades 5-12 )
- Special Education Programs
- Special Education (Advanced Certificate in Autism and Severe or Multiple Disabilities)
- Middle School Extension
- Educational Theatre
Qualified candidates certified in areas other than elementary education may enroll in this childhood education master’s degree program to earn a second teaching certificate and fulfill the graduate degree requirement for professional (permanent) certification in both areas.
The MA in Childhood Education program helped me to become both a better student, as well as a better teacher. Over the last two years, I’ve had incredibly involved professors and advisers who have guided me in making lifelong connections with both students and teacher mentors in local school districts.
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
Student teaching is a central component of Adelphi’s master’s degree in childhood education. Because of our partnerships with K-12 schools in Nassau County, Suffolk County and New York City, in addition to our close ties with Teach For America, we offer fieldwork in many different school districts and learning institutions, such as:
- Francis Lewis High School
- Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
- Queens High School of Teaching
- Sewanhaka Central High School District
- Uniondale Union Free School District
Adelphi education students can complete fieldwork and student teaching in a variety of learning settings.
Program Info
Courses & Requirements
Application Requirements
Applicants for this program must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and should submit the following application requirements:
- Graduate application and $60 fee
- Online survey completed by two recommenders
- Personal essay (500 words)
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions and proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
- Course-by-course evaluation: All graduate applicants with undergraduate-level work completed outside of the United States will be required to send a course-by-course evaluation of their academic work prepared by a NACES member organization. Adelphi recommends you use The Evaluation Company (TEC) or IEE (discount provided for Adelphi applicants), ECE, or WES, but any NACES member evaluation would be acceptable.
Admissions
Understanding Costs and Savings
Learn about the costs you can expect and discover how scholarships, grants and financial aid packages can put an Adelphi education within reach.
One-Stop Student Services
FAQs About Childhood Education
Early childhood education encompasses the early years to age 8, with a focus on learning language and interacting with other children through conversation, reading and play. To learn more about teaching the very young, visit Adelphi’s Early Childhood Education program page.
A childhood education degree focuses on teaching children as they move from play-based care to classroom learning through reading and testing, from grades 1-6.
A master’s degree in childhood education will prepare you to teach English language arts, math, science and social studies at the elementary school level.
The childhood education master’s degree program is for students without provisional or initial certification in elementary or childhood education. Candidates who hold certification in other areas, for example, TESOL and secondary education, can also enroll in the childhood education master’s degree program for a second teaching certificate.
Upon graduating from Adelphi’s child education program, you’ll be certified to teach grades 1-6. After completing the program, you may choose to pursue additional advanced certifications offered in TESOL, special education, educational theatre and other in-demand specializations.
If done full time, the MA in childhood education takes two years to complete. Some students also choose to do the program part time, which takes longer.
Currently, the MA in childhood education program is offered through a combination of in-person, online and hybrid (some of the classes are in person and some online) courses. Our courses are scheduled in the evening, 4:30 onward, to help meet the demands of career and family.
Awards & Recognition
Colleges of Distinction: Education
Adelphi is recognized as a College of Distinction for education programs that are proven to produce confident, compassionate and classroom-ready teachers.
Tops for Teachers-to-Be
Forbes
For the third consecutive year, Adelphi University has been recognized as the highest-ranked private university on Long Island on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Top Colleges list.
Adelphi’s Ranking
Wall Street Journal/College Pulse
Adelphi earned national recognition in the 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings for its strong student outcomes. The University ranked highly in social mobility and best salaries, reflecting the lifetime return on investment it provides to students.
Ranked one of the best
U.S. News & World Report
Adelphi University has been named a Best College among National Universities for eight consecutive years. Adelphi remains the top-ranked private university on Long Island.
Celebrate Our Rise
Colleges of Distinction: Equity & Inclusion
Adelphi has been honored for initiatives to become an increasingly welcoming, inclusive community for students and faculty.
Top Ranked in Equity & Inclusion
Times Higher Education
Times Higher Education ranks Adelphi in the top 8 percent of four-year universities in the United States and as one of the best universities in the world.
Global Recognition
Colleges of Distinction: Great Teaching
Adelphi is recognized as a College of Distinction with engaged faculty members who provide students with feedback and encouragement and help students learn to think for themselves.
Dedicated Faculty
Location
Nexus Building First Floor
Hours
Summer Hours
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