The only offered in New York State, our generalist concentration allows you to become a preschool or elementary school teacher, fully versed in all subject areas. The teaching degree you earn at Medaille makes you a more marketable teacher! Meet our education faculty.
About Our Elementary Education Teaching Degree
Future generations are counting on their teachers to inspire, motivate and help navigate through challenges in this increasingly competitive world. The only institution in New York offering a generalist concentration, choose Medaille's education program for a rich, varied and unparalleled learning experience. Upon earning your bachelor's degree, you will enter the workforce more knowledgeable and prepared to teach in all content areas, and become eligible for NYSED certification in two areas: Early Childhood Education (Birth through Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grades 1 through 6).
Prepare yourself to teach in all content areas with our generalist concentration, the only offered in New York State.
New York State requires that students in teacher preparation programs pursue an academic concentration of study (e.g. English, math, science). At Medaille College, rather than requiring a student to choose one area of focus, we offer a generalist concentration in our teaching degree programs, which best prepares our students to teach English language arts, math, science and social studies in prekindergarten through sixth grade. The concentration is complemented by additional courses from the general education and liberal arts and sciences curriculum, empowering students to take:
English - 21 credits (7 courses)
Math - 15 credits (5 courses)
Social Studies - 12 credits (4 courses)
Science - 9 credits (3 courses)
Courses, Requirements & Policies
Program Specs
Total Credits: 132 credits
Major Core Component: 33 credits
Generalist Concentration: 30 credits
Includes English (21), math (15), social studies (12) and science (9)
Student Teaching: 12 credits
Teacher Education Clinical Experiences
This exciting opportunity provides students the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences, with the support and mentorship of classroom teachers and college instructors.
Fieldwork
Students enrolled in the B.S.Ed. Early Childhood/Childhood program are required to complete a minimum of 150 field experience hours, prior to student teaching. These field experience hours are embedded over several courses and must be completed prior to the culminating experience of student teaching.
Student Teaching
This is the culmination of the educational preparation process. It is where students have the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills gained through coursework at Medaille College, with the support of a classroom associate teacher and college supervisor. Medaille College student teachers participate in two full time, eight-week teaching placements.
Learn more about student teaching and certification
B.S.Ed. Early Childhood/Childhood Education Professional Handbook
What else sets Medaille's childhood education program apart?
Future Teachers Club, rooted in principles of education, as well as professional and social development
Close mentoring relationships with faculty
Continue at Medaille to complete your master's degree in education in just 16 months (four semesters)! Choose from:
Program News
Department of Education Assistant Professor Dr. Christine Woodcock has authored a new e-book for teachers, titled Uniting the Science of Reading and Balanced Literacy With Social Justice. She also served as an author for the newly released edited textbook, titled Handbook of Research on Learner-Centered Approaches to Teaching in an Age of Transformational Change.
