Childhood Education

Our master's program in childhood education prepares you to teach children from grades 1–6. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in education, you can enroll in our initial/professional program. If you have completed an approved undergraduate major and hold New York State initial certification in childhood education, you can enroll in our professional program.

On this page:

Why Childhood Education at UB?

The features of our program include:
  • individual course selection according to interests, especially for those pursuing the professional certification
  • 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
Prerequisite

To be eligible for this program, you must have majored in or completed 30 credit hours in one of the following areas: 

›  Arts:
Art History, Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts
›  English
›  Languages other than English
(e.g., French, Spanish)
›  Mathematics
›  Natural Sciences:
Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics
›  Social Sciences:
Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science
›  Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
(Health & Human Services: Early Childhood Concentration only)

Childhood Education Programs

Initial / Professional Professional

New Application Process for Spring 2025 Admission

If you are looking to complete a GSE program that leads to professional-only certification (see professional tracks)—or looking to complete a master’s degree in English education studies, math education studies or music education studies—apply to our Education Studies EdM program.

Program Overview

Academic credential granted Master of Education (EdM)
Certification option Successful completion of program leads to an institutional recommendation for NYS Professional Certification in Childhood Education
Grade levels 1 to 6
Credits required for completion 33 to 36
Time to completion 2 to 3 full-time semesters
Available Emphasis
Literacy (without certification)
Course delivery On campus
Experiential contact hours Additional clinical experience may be embedded in content coursework 
Application deadline

Priority Deadlines

Spring:
Nov. 1, then rolling until Dec. 1
Summer:
Feb. 1, then rolling until April 15
Fall:
Feb. 1, then rolling until July 15

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office.

Questions About the Admission Process?

Office of Graduate Admission
Graduate School of Education
366 Baldy Hall, North Campus
716-645-2110
gseinfo@buffalo.edu