Lifelong learning is a habit built at a young age. Be the spark that inspires a child through our master’s program in early childhood/childhood education.
Creating a good learning environment for students starts with you—their teacher. The initial/professional track allows you to complete a year of teacher training in one of our liaison schools, where you’ll get intensive, mentored field experience. Graduates earn institutional recommendation for New York State initial and professional certification in early childhood/childhood education.
You don’t have to go far to have a life-changing experience. An internship at the Fisher-Price Endowed Early Childhood Research Center, located on UB’s campus, allows you to participate in cutting-edge research in cognition, language, social/emotional connections, physical skills and perception.
Pursue numerous real-world learning and research opportunities at Explore and More Children's Museum, the Fisher-Price Lab and Western New York organizations that serve children and youth.
UB is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Academic credential granted | Master of Education (EdM) |
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Certification option | Successful completion of program leads to an institutional recommendation for NYS Professional Certification in Early Childhood Education |
Grade levels | Birth to 2 |
Credits required for completion | 33 to 36 |
Time to completion | 2 to 3 full-time semesters |
Course delivery | On campus |
Career opportunities |
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Experiential contact hours | Additional clinical experience may be embedded in content coursework |
Application deadline | Priority Deadlines
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As we work to integrate curricular program changes, please email the Office of Educator Preparation (ubedprep@buffalo.edu) or contact an advisor (716-645-2461) to confirm requirements.
To be eligible for this program, you must have majored in or completed 30 credit hours in one of the following areas:
Find details about application deadlines and requirements, courses and more. Have questions? Contact our admissions office.
Standardized testing no longer required
Beginning with the spring 2022 semester, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for application to this program. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Dignity for All Students Act Requirement
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that all students applying for certification as of December 31, 2013 have six hours of coursework or training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. As mandated by NYSED six clock hours of training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention. This workshop is available through the University at Buffalo as well as other NYSED-approved providers. If you have already completed a workshop through a NYSED-approved provider, you must submit proof of completion when you apply.
Students with Disabilities Requirement
The New York State Education Department requires three semester hours of study in the area of students with disabilities for those who are entering the teacher education programs. If you have not yet fulfilled this requirement, you may take our students with disabilities course (LAI 574).
In-state Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months prior to your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency ApplicationDownload pdf(141 KB) for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.