48 credit Career Change
Program
The 48-credit Career Change Program leads to initial teaching
certificates in both Early Childhood Education B-2 (Birth to Grade
2) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (B-2). It was designed
for candidates who do not yet have teaching certificates and who
wish to obtain initial certification in early childhood education
as well as in teaching students with disabilities at the early
childhood level.
View the course requirements.
45 Credit Field Change
Program
The 45-credit Field Change Program leads to teaching certificates
in both Early Childhood Education (B-2) and Teaching Students with
Disabilities (B-2). It was designed for candidates who already hold
a teaching certificate in another classroom certification area such
as Childhood Education and who wish to obtain additional
certification in both early childhood education and in teaching
students with disabilities at the early childhood level.
View the course requirements.
Program Objectives
The programs are intended to foster the development of skills,
attitudes and knowledge needed to teach diverse populations of
young children (birth to grade 2) across the full range of
abilities. They are structured to prepare teachers to support the
learning and development of students in general education, early
intervention, “inclusion” and self-contained special education
settings. These objectives are achieved by integrating knowledge of
the importance of developmentally appropriate practices and
play-based activities with an understanding of developmental delays
and related disabilities. Specifically; the programs promote
teacher knowledge and skills in:
- Providing developmentally appropriate environments for all
children
- Addressing the needs of children with developmental delays and
specific developmental disabilities
- Understanding different models of service delivery
- Selecting, using and understanding methods of developmental
assessment
- Developing, modifying and implementing curriculum
- Aligning curriculum goals with appropriate state and national
standards
- Working with interdisciplinary teams and culturally diverse
families
- Using assistive and other technologies to enhance children’s
learning and communicative skills
- Providing advocacy for children and their families in the
framework of current legislation
Program graduates will be able to assume such positions as:
- Early childhood teachers in general education or inclusion
settings
- Special education collaborative team teachers
- Special education itinerant teachers
- Special education teachers in self-contained settings
- Providers of one-on-one home-based early intervention
services
Graduates of either the Career Change or the Field Change
Master’s Programs will qualify for New York State dual
certification in early childhood education (B-2) as well as for
teaching students with disabilities (B-2), provided all
state-mandated external tests, training modules and teaching
experiences are completed.
Contact Information
Smita Guha, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Sullivan Hall 428
Queens Campus
(718) 990-2454
guhas@stjohns.edu
Graduate Admission Information
Kelly K. Ronayne, D.A.
School of Education
Office of Graduate Admissions
Sullivan Hall SB9
(718) 990-2304
graded@stjohns.edu