Program Overview

Psychology & Early Childhood Education Degree | Birth-Grade 2

The Psychology & Early Childhood Education Degree is a combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science program that provides an accelerated and interdisciplinary path to earning teacher certification. This program allows students to earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in a streamlined teacher preparation program.

Overview

The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree Program is an academic program that enables students interested in the teaching profession to earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in an accelerated venue. Through this special program, qualified students who major in psychology or behavioral science can receive teacher certification in Early Childhood or Childhood Education.

Career Opportunities

• Elementary or preschool school teacher
• Positions in charter schools
• Positions in private schools
• Positions in New York public schools

The Mercy Advantage

• Strong relationships with elementary and secondary schools across New York City and Westchester
• Undergraduates may take up to 15 graduate education credits during their junior and senior years
• Semester-long student teaching experience
• National accreditation by NCATE & CAEP
• Some courses completely online

Program Details & Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

• General Education Requirements: 60 Credits
• Psychology and Early Childhood Education: 45 Credits (Undergraduate Courses)
• Early Childhood Education Graduate Courses: 15 Credits (Completed for B.S. degree)
• Master of Science in Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2: 24 Credits (Course work completed during M.S. degree)
• Total: 144 Credits

New York State Requirements

New York State requires completion of the following undergraduate prerequisites for students seeking the Early Childhood Education, Birth–Grade 2 Certification:

• Mathematical Processes
• Scientific Processes
• Historical and Social Sciences
• Language other than English
• Information Retrieval
• Communications/Humanities/Written Analysis and Expression
• Artistic Expression A course in Child Development is required. PSYN 254 is acceptable.

Early Childhood Graduate Courses

The Early Childhood graduate courses that must be completed for the B.S. degree are:

• EDUC 500 Edu Fnd Diverse Perspectives
• EDUC 502 Fndtns Educ Sdnts w/Dsblts
• EDUC 505 Tchng English as 2nd Lang
• EDUC 507 Aprchs Lit: EChldhd-Adolescenc
• EDUC 513 Intr Erl Chld Ed:Fndtn/Meth/Mt

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the B.S. and M.S. Education program, a student must:

• Be a high school graduate who has earned a New York State Regents Diploma with an 85 average or better
• Be a high school graduate with a score of 500 or better on the verbal portion of the SAT and 500 or better on the math portion of the SAT or corresponding ACT
• Place at ENGL 111 and MATH 115 on the Mercy University Placement exam Students must have earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts with an overall GPA of 3.0. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 each semester at Mercy University to remain in the Five-Year Program.

Degree Requirements

To remain in the Five-Year Program, a student must:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 each semester at Mercy University
• Register for an introductory 3-credit graduate education course in the upper junior year or upon completion of 70-75 undergraduate credits with a B or better average
• Register for 12 credits in graduate education courses in the senior year

Accreditations

All initial certification programs are nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Program Objectives

Childhood Education Program Goals

• Candidates will understand, explain, analyze, and apply major theories and philosophies that address physical, affective, and cognitive development during the childhood years.
• Candidates will create high-quality, meaningful learning opportunities that are based on competencies and content knowledge, utilize developmental knowledge, employ formal and informal assessment strategies, and incorporate collaboration with all aspects of the broad school community to facilitate academic achievement to a child's maximum potential.
• Candidates will become reflective practitioners who continually reflect on their practice and actively pursue opportunities for professional growth.

Goals of the School of Education

The unit goals establish the shared vision, mission, philosophy, and guiding principles agreed to by members of the faculty and other stakeholders in the learning community. The six goals reflect the integrated knowledge, skills, and dispositions that together ensure that candidates develop as effective educators and reflective practitioners. These goals are as follows:

• Content Knowledge
• Pedagogical and Professional Knowledge
• Diversity
• Technology
• Reflection
• Dispositions

Student Classification and Prerequisites

Candidates who meet all prerequisites and admission requirements will be accepted and classified as matriculants. Candidates without a sufficient undergraduate background in the liberal arts and sciences will be required to take recommended prerequisite courses in accordance with New York State certification requirements.

Certification Tests

Initial certification candidates must pass the CST in their main certification area prior to their student teaching semester. Additionally, a candidate in a clinical practice course must submit an edTPA examination to Pearson as one of the course requirements.

Language Proficiency

Since the ability to communicate effectively in English with pupils in the classroom is considered paramount, all candidates seeking teacher certification are expected to demonstrate competencies in oral and written English.

Other Certification Requirements

• Completion of a Child Abuse Awareness seminar
• Completion of a Violence Identification and Prevention seminar
• Completion of the Dignity for All Students Workshop (DASA)
• Fingerprint clearance

Only United States citizens, or those who declare their intention to become United States citizens, are eligible for New York State certification.