Program Overview

Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families – with prior NYS Certification in Early Childhood (MSEd)

The Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families – with prior NYS Certification in Early Childhood (MSEd) program prepares students to support infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary children in inclusive, integrated, and self-contained classrooms, as well as homes and communities.

Academic Plan

• The program code for certification is 26295 – E CHILDHD SPEC ED W/ANNOT IN SEVERE DISAB.
• The total credits required for the program are at least 36 credits.
• The academic plan is designated as SEWB2-MSED.

Advisors

• Jamie Bleiweiss, Program Leader and Faculty Advisor for students with last names beginning with A through M.
• Melissa Jackson, Faculty Advisor for students with last names beginning N through Z.
• Imani Perez, Faculty Advisor for Fieldwork Courses.
• Nora McCormick, Certification, Graduation, and Administrative Advisor.
• Elizabeth Harrison, Clinical Placement Specialist.

Program Sequences

• Program sequences provide a suggested order of courses for the program based on start date.
• It also includes when to take certification exams and apply for clinical experiences in addition to other important non-course requirements.

Fall 2016 onward

• Full-Time Program Sequence
• Part-Time Program Sequence

Spring 2016

• Full-Time Program Sequence
• Part-Time Program Sequence

Transfer of Credits and Waivers

Transfer of Credits

• A matriculated student may request a transfer of credit for a graduate-level course completed at another institution.
• To be eligible, the course must have been taken within the past five years and closely match the content of a required course in the student’s Hunter College program.
• The request will be reviewed by faculty for equivalence.
• Each program sets the courses for which a transfer will be considered.
• Graduate students are limited to 12 transfer credits.

Waivers

• A waiver of a course requirement may be granted to a student who has completed an undergraduate course at another college or a graduate course taken over five years ago with the same or similar content as a Hunter College course required in your program.
• Not all departments approve the use of undergraduate courses for use in waivers.
• A waiver requires you to take an approved elective course of at least the same number of credits at Hunter to replace the waived course.

Clinical Experiences

• The Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families with Prior NYS Certification in Early Childhood (MSEd) program prepares candidates for professional roles in classrooms, homes, and communities across the birth through grade 2 age range.
• Clinical experiences are a critical component of the program and designed to provide reflective experiences in order to develop competencies in working with young children of diverse ages, abilities, cultures, and languages and their families.

Developmental Field Experiences (Fieldwork)

• Developmental Field Experiences (Fieldwork) are applied experiences in classrooms, homes, or community settings in conjunction with a course.
• Select courses have fieldwork requirements.
• Developmental Field Experiences (Fieldwork) are not administered by the Office of Clinical Experiences.

Supervised Teaching: Pre-Student Teaching

• Students participate in supervised teaching (pre-student teaching).
• Pre-student teaching combines coursework and a sustained clinical experience in preparation for student teaching and/or practicum.
• Pre-Student teaching requires one full day per week over 10 weeks (to be assigned) for one semester if completed during the academic year.

Supervised Teaching: Student Teaching/Practicum

• Students participate in supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum) as the culmination of their course of study.
• Student teaching and/or practicum requires three full days per week for two semesters over the academic year.
• Students may complete practicum in their current job if it is aligned with their pending certification/area of study and meets specific Early Childhood Development and Learning (ECDL) practicum requirements.

Graduation

• Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree.
• In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines.

Certification and Licensure

• The Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families – with prior NYS Certification in Early Childhood (MSEd) program leads to single certification in students with disabilities birth to grade 2.
• Students must wait to apply for certification until they receive an email from the School of Education indicating their recommendation has been entered.

Types of Certification

• The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate and is valid for five years.
• The Professional Certificate is an advanced certificate.

Application Checklist

• Review Your Fingerprint Status
• Take Required Certification Exams and Workshops
• Apply for Graduation
• Apply for Certification

Additional Resources

• Expiring Certifications
• Out of State Certification or Licensure
• Hunter International Students (F1 Visa Holder) Certification or Licensure
• Letter Requests
• Internship Certification for Graduate Teacher Education Students

Program Related Events

• General New Student Orientation–Teacher Education, Leadership and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families Programs New Student Program Advising
• Play and Learn: Family Playgroup
• Fingerprinting Support Session
• Certification Info Session – Teacher Education
• Spring 2026 Student Teaching Conference: Gearing Up For Student Teaching: Challenges and Opportunities