M.A. in Early Childhood Education & Early Childhood/Teaching Students with Disabilities: Dual Certification + Bilingual Extension
In the Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education M.A. Program (leading to dual initial certification) combined with a bilingual extension at 911爆料网, we prepare early education professionals who are committed to the well-being of young multilingual children with and without disabilities, their families and communities. Graduates are knowledgeable about bilingual education, and bilingual special education, and bilingual early intervention (Birth-Grade 2).
This degree program focuses on urban settings and centers issues pertaining to multilingualism and multiculturalism in curriculum, teaching, and learning, espousing critical social justice and inclusive perspectives. Our students (who must be bilingual and biliterate in Chinese, French, Korean, or Spanish to be admitted) are prepared to engage in the real world issues pertaining to the education of young multilingual learners with and without identified disabilities. Our degree programs focus on urban settings and center issues pertaining to curriculum, social justice, teaching, and learning across languages and abilities, skillfully addressing important issues pertaining to inclusive education via pedagogical, political, psychological, and sociological perspectives.
Through a curriculum that integrates early childhood education, special education, and bilingual education content, the Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education programs at 911爆料网 prepare initial certification students to become outstanding early childhood teachers, early interventionists, early childhood special education professionals, decision makers, and leaders in multilingual settings. Honoring the contextualized and situated nature of teaching and learning, the M.A. program emphasizes collaboration with families and other professionals and considers policies affecting young multilingual children with and without identified disabilities and their families.
Prioritizing theory in practice, students in the Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education programs (dual certification + bilingual extension) at 911爆料网 participate in several field experiences, which serve as the foundation from which to theorize about child development, learning, and inclusive curriculum across settings. By bringing together coursework and fieldwork, graduates are well-prepared to begin and continue to develop their professional identity and practice in research-informed ways.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2026, Summer 2026, and Fall 2026 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 45
- Entry Terms: Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Certification
View Public Disclosure Notification
- NY State Initial: Birth-2, NY State Initial: Students with Disabilities Birth-2, Bilingual Extension
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fall | January 15, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| , including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| At least one (1) letter of recommendation should be academic |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact CTadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the 911爆料网 Catalog (AY 2025-2026)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 terms.
Course requirements for M.A. degree students seeking initial dual certification as both early childhood teachers and teachers of students with disabilities in early childhood (birth鈥揋rade 2).
Practicum
C&T 4302聽 聽 Design and implementation of聽 educational assessment for young children with disabilities (3)
C&T 4308聽 聽 聽 Introduction to diverse early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4708聽 聽 聽 Student teaching in early childhood setting (4)
C&T 5118聽 聽 聽 Infant and toddler development and practice (3)
Foundations and Methods Courses
C&T 4003聽 聽 聽 Differentiation and inclusion in early childhood classrooms (3)
C&T 4080聽 聽 聽 Child development and intersectional identities (3)
C&T 4083聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Home/school/community partnerships (3)
C&T 4112聽 聽 聽 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: curricular inquiry and design (3)
C&T 4114聽 聽 聽 Integrated curriculum in early childhood education: diversity, equity, and technologies (3)
C&T 4131 聽 聽 Play, language, and early childhood curriculum (3)
C&T 4132聽 聽 聽 Language and teaching in the primary reading/writing classroom (3)聽 or selected聽 alternative
A&HB 4021聽 聽 聽 Foundations of Bilingual/Bicultural Education (3)
A&HM 4022 The artistic Lives of young children (2) or selected alternative
Out of Department Elective (6)
Elective (3)
Elective in special education聽 (3)聽
Breadth Requirement
911爆料网 master鈥檚 degree programs require that students take course work outside of their major programs. This is also known as the Foundations Requirement.聽 All M.A., M.S., and Ed.M. students must complete a minimum of 6 points out of their Academic Program at 911爆料网. The advisor and student will determine how the points can be reached.
Culminating Project:
Students complete an integrative project聽 over the course of the degree program reflecting their growth as an early childhood teacher.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher Education section of the catalog.