Childhood/Early Childhood
Learn to work with students in early childhood (birth to grade 2) and childhood (grades 1 to 6) at Molloy University. Our childhood/early childhood education program provides the essential skills and training to become an extraordinary teacher.
Job prospects are excellent for our childhood/early childhood education degree graduates. Alumni report strong career placement—nearly all immediately gain initial New York State certification.
The overall pass rate on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) for our graduates in 2022–23 was 95 percent. Upon completion, you will qualify for New York State Initial Certification as a Teacher of Early Childhood (Birth to Grade 2) and Childhood (Grades 1 to 6).
Our education degree alumni often return to the university to earn additional degrees and certifications, volunteer, participate in events, and teach.
About the Childhood/Early Childhood Education Program
Our childhood/early childhood education courses provide the background for you to thrive as a teacher and content expert. Flexible course offerings—face-to-face, hybrid, and online—make earning your education degree easier, even with a busy schedule.
The childhood/early childhood education degree allows you to pursue initial New York State certification as an early childhood and childhood teacher. You will also specialize in a content area of your choosing:
- Biology
- Communications
- English
- History
- Math
- Psychology
- Sociology Spanish
The total number of credits you will take depends on your concentration. Generally, required childhood/early childhood education coursework includes:
- General education requirements (38–48 credits)
- Content area requirements (30–47 credits)
- Education requirements (40 credits)
- Elective requirements (2–6 credits)
- Total credits (120 credits)
Your childhood/early childhood education degree includes vital courses in teaching methods and childhood pedagogy.
Benefits of Molloy’s Childhood/Early Childhood Education Program
Education Degree Advisement
When you enroll in our childhood/early childhood education degree program, two advisors—one from the Education department and one from your content area—will guide you through childhood/early childhood education course requirements. They will also help you navigate the certification steps after graduation.
Our Career Center and field placement office will assist you through the job search process. The teacher certification office will also help you through the ever-changing certification process and continue to answer your questions after graduation.
Experienced Faculty
Our faculty includes international speakers and best-selling authors who are childhood and early childhood education experts. These thought leaders are at the forefront of groundbreaking research and are pioneering projects in local school districts.
With small class sizes, you’ll enjoy personalized attention and mentorship from your instructors, building lasting connections beyond the classroom. You may collaborate with your professors on cutting-edge research and publish or present your findings.
Childhood/Early Childhood Degree Facilities
Molloy University’s prime location near New York City puts you at the heart of teaching opportunities, giving you access to city and Long Island schools. We partner with public schools to ensure you gain invaluable, hands-on experience—and many of our undergraduate students are hired by these schools even before graduation.
On campus, you’ll find state-of-the-art facilities designed for collaboration and innovation. Available technology, like BenQ boards, mirrors what you will use in classrooms, preparing you to step confidently into your teaching career.
Prepare for Adolescent Education Certification
Because you can choose your concentration, these specializations could lead to adolescent certification after graduation. Eligible concentrations include:
- Biology
- English
- History
- Math
- Spanish
“Molloy prepared me to help develop strong relationships with my students! I love building a strong rapport with them and being able to design engaging lessons that spark their interest as well as meet their needs. Nothing is better than seeing them shine when they feel successful inside and outside the classroom. Molloy taught me to always put your students first, as they deserve someone to be their cheerleader every step of the way.”
Class of 2025
Career Outcomes for Childhood/Early Childhood Education Program Graduates
Our childhood/early childhood education courses provide the academic knowledge you need to teach and lead diverse students. Graduates of our program say they learned a lot from their field experiences, and many schools often hire these students after graduation.
When you graduate with your childhood/early childhood education degree, you can leverage our close relationships with local school districts. Many districts specifically hire our graduates thanks to our program’s reputation for producing highly skilled and dedicated educators.
As demand for early childhood educators grows, especially with upcoming teacher retirements, opportunities will increase in preschool and elementary settings across all disciplines.
Childhood/Early Childhood Education Field Experiences
We offer three experiential opportunities to help you gain the confidence you need to lead a classroom. Prior to student teaching, you will spend 100 hours in two field experiences. Specifically:
- You will observe a local elementary school
- You will participate in pre-student teaching
Alongside a cooperating teacher, you will student-teach full-time during your final semester. The classroom teacher and your Molloy University field supervisor will observe you and offer feedback to improve your craft. Our childhood/early childhood education program graduates tell us their field experiences were valuable.
Related Programs
Not sure our childhood/early childhood education degree is right for you? Explore additional degrees offered at Molloy:
- Music Education (Pre-K–12)
- Special Education
- Undergraduate Adolescent Education
- Visual Arts Education (Pre-K–12)
Take the Next Step
Request information or apply now to join our alumni making a difference in their communities.
Transfer students are welcome into this program. Learn more about transferring to Molloy, including transfer guidelines, articulation agreements and funding opportunities.