Program Overview

The 123-credit B.S. Early Childhood Education and Special Education prepares you to become a knowledgeable, caring, and inspiring teacher of general education and special education for children from birth to second grade.

In pursuing your undergraduate degree, you will examine theories of child development, motivation, and learning for youngsters ranging in age from birth until 8 years of age. You will master the skills needed to encourage students to learn new material and to take responsibility for themselves and one another. As you work toward the degree you will gain an understanding and appreciation of subjects ranging from science to music to language arts. You also will acquire techniques to assess and evaluate a child's intellectual, social, and physical development, and you will learn the basic principles of classroom management for a diverse student population. The program will culminate in a semester long student teaching experience that will allow you to practice your new skills in classroom settings. This degree qualifies you for two NYS initial teaching certifications.

This program requires a concentration in the liberal arts and sciences.

After you complete all degree requirements, successfully pass New York State licensure tests (EAS, CST and edTPA), and you have completed all seminars listed below, you will be awarded two initial teaching certifications by the New York State Education Department. The seminars are: Child Abuse ID & Reporting, SAVE, DASA, Child Abduction and Preventing Alcohol, Tobacco, Substance Abuse. Please refer to the NYSED certification website for the most up-to-date changes in certification requirements.

This early childhood education I special education program is a joint program between LIU Post's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) and College of Education, Information & Technology (CElT). The teacher education programs at LIU Post are nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).