NYU Steinhardt is committed to innovative and accessible teacher education. Beginning Fall 2026, every newly admitted full-time student in the MA in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education, Grades 1–6: Initial Certification program will receive a $15,000 per year scholarship. Apply now and start shaping the future of education.
Learn to effectively teach children at all ability levels by preparing for your New York State initial teaching certification in both general and special education for grades 1–6. Through field experiences, student teaching, and course work that links pedagogical theory and practice, you’ll learn to work collaboratively to deliver a quality education to children in both general and special education settings.
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You'll take courses that link the theory and practice of childhood education and childhood special education as you gain:
You will complete one semester of classroom observation and two semesters of student teaching, one in childhood general education and one in childhood special education. Through student teaching experiences, you will be able to reflect on, question, and refine your knowledge and skills as you work with children at different age levels and with diverse needs and abilities.
As a student in our graduate program, you'll have several unique opportunities to study teaching and learning abroad:
Our graduates understand that special education is neither a place nor a group of students. Rather, special education refers to specialized services, environment modifications, differentiated instruction, adapted curricula, or other supports provided to students with disabilities. We encourage our students to view all children and their families as individuals with varying degrees of skills, and untapped potential for quality lives in schools, work, recreation, and in their communities.
Upon graduation, you'll be eligible for initial certification in New York State for both childhood education and special education, grades 1–6. You’ll be prepared for an in-demand career as a:
Learn more about teacher certification and our accreditation.
My time at NYU allowed me to get a deeper understanding of being a culturally relevant and sustaining educator! I always look for opportunities to include my students in diverse languages, cultures, and traditions in my classroom community. This is something that has come naturally to me because my wonderful T&L professors made culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogy something that we studied and included in our practice.
— Brianna Grant, MA '22
If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact teachlearn.gradadvise@nyu.edu.
