Best Master's in Early Childhood Education Programs by Local Teacher Pay

1. 1

   Boston University

   Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

   • 6Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master's in Early Childhood Education (EdM in Early Childhood Education)
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Boston University's Wheelock College of Education offers an EdM in Early Childhood Education that meets candidates where they are, with four pathways ranging from a general non-licensure track to streamlined and combined-degree licensure routes. Three of those four pathways lead to endorsement for Massachusetts Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) Initial licensure, so the program serves both career changers and those extending prior study toward the classroom. The design leans clinical, requiring at least one semester of student teaching guided by Wheelock faculty alongside a selected classroom teacher. Total requirements run from 28 to 36 course credits plus 6 to 12 field-experience credits, letting candidates calibrate the workload to their background and licensure goals. With more than 65 percent of new students receiving scholarships, the on-campus program reads as an accessible, practice-centered entry into early childhood teaching. As a master's degree in early childhood education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

   Why it ranks here

   For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
2. 2

   Boston College

   Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate nonprofit

   • 4Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Boston College offers a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education through its Lynch School, a 37-credit on-campus program that leads to Massachusetts Initial Licensure to teach Pre-K through Grade 2, with an optional Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement. The clinical sequence moves candidates from a one-day-per-week, ten-week pre-practicum into a five-day-per-week, full-semester practicum guided by both school- and university-based mentors, an intensive apprenticeship that signals a program built around deep classroom immersion. Field placements draw on close partnerships with the NAEYC-accredited Boston College Children's Center and the Saint Columbkille Partnership School. Candidates may also pursue the Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program, an accelerated one-year option emphasizing social justice and urban education. An inquiry-based capstone satisfies the comprehensive exam requirement, closing the degree with reflective, research-informed practice for aspiring early childhood teachers. As a master's degree in early childhood education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

   Why it ranks here

   For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
3. 3

   Merrimack College

   North Andover, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 34Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Merrimack College offers a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education that leads to a Massachusetts Initial License for grades PreK-2, with a Sheltered English Instruction endorsement built directly into the program so graduates are prepared for multilingual classrooms. The 36-credit sequence of eight courses culminates in a 15-week, 450-hour practicum, a substantial clinical commitment that grounds the degree firmly in the classroom. Licensure candidates complete three MTEL exams covering communication and literacy, early childhood, and foundations of reading. A distinctive tuition-free Fellowship Program pairs a cohort model with a school district placement, reading as a deliberate on-ramp for aspiring teachers who want paid, immersive preparation. With no GRE or GMAT required and the flexibility to choose online, on-campus, or combined study each semester, the program lowers barriers for candidates entering early childhood teaching. A master's-level path in early childhood education, it builds toward a career among kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

   Why it ranks here

   For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 34 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
4. 4

   Gordon College

   Wenham, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 21Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Gordon College offers an online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education that prepares graduates to become certified teachers of pre-kindergarten through grade 2 in Massachusetts, with both Initial and Professional Licensure tracks plus a separate Montessori Education concentration for ages 3 to 6. The curriculum is grounded in the science of reading, a focus that positions the program around evidence-based literacy instruction for young learners. Delivered through Gordon's Herschend School of Education, the coursework runs in evening and weekend online formats with four start dates per year, an arrangement clearly built for working adults entering or advancing in the field. Small, personalized class sizes reinforce a mentored feel across the online experience. Between its licensure options and Montessori pathway, the program suits a range of early childhood career goals. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 21 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
5. 5

   Endicott College

   Beverly, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 4Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Endicott College offers a fully online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education built around a single focused track in PreK-2 instructional leadership. The 36-credit program emphasizes research-based instructional practices and the developmental role of play, pairing academic coursework with a substantial clinical requirement of 300 practicum hours split between PreK-K and grades 1-2, including at least one setting serving children with disabilities. That structure prepares candidates for Massachusetts Initial licensure while keeping the coursework accessible to working adults. Supports such as free MTEL preparation workshops, a personal advisor, and job placement assistance signal a program attentive to guiding candidates all the way through licensure and into the field. The online format makes it a practical route for aspiring early childhood teachers balancing study with other commitments. A master's-level path in early childhood education, it builds toward a career among kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
6. 6

   Bridgewater State University

   Bridgewater, MAPublic

   • 5Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Bridgewater State University offers a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education that spans the full arc of a teaching career, with tracks for Initial Licensure at PreK-2, Professional Licensure, and a non-licensure option for those not seeking a credential. Educators already in the field can pair Professional Licensure with a concentration in STEM education or in applications of technology in the elementary classroom, signaling a program attentive to how young children learn in a changing classroom. Licensure tracks build in pre-practicum and practicum field experiences that ground coursework in real settings. As a Massachusetts DESE approved preparation program, it meets state requirements for Initial or Professional Early Childhood (PreK-2) licensure depending on the path chosen. Students can study in person, online, or in combination, and class sizes capped around 25 keep the experience personal. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
7. 7

   Framingham State University

   Framingham, MAPublic

   • 3Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (M.Ed.) Concentration in Early Childhood Education
   • Massachusetts DESE state-approved program-accredited
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Framingham State University's M.Ed. with a concentration in Early Childhood Education is built for educators who already hold a credential and want to advance it, designed to move an existing Massachusetts Early Childhood (PreK-2) Initial License to the Professional level. It also opens to those holding Early Education and Care certification as a Lead Teacher, Director I, or Director II, reflecting a program oriented toward practicing professionals rather than newcomers. The ten-course concentration mixes core, required, and elective coursework, culminating in a professional portfolio and an oral comprehensive examination in place of a thesis, an applied capstone that reads as reflective practice over pure research. Candidates can study in hybrid, on-campus, or online formats, giving working teachers room to fit graduate study around their classrooms. The result is a flexible advancement route for established early childhood educators. A master's-level path in early childhood education, it builds toward a career among kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
8. 8

   Lesley University

   Cambridge, MAPrivate nonprofit

   • 22Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
   • Massachusetts DESE approved for Initial Teacher License-accredited
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Lesley University's M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education prepares candidates to teach PreK-2, offering a 36-credit licensure track that pairs the degree with a Massachusetts Initial Teacher License and a 30-credit non-licensure enrichment track for those seeking the M.Ed. alone. The low-residency, cohort-based model builds community among candidates while keeping the schedule manageable, and guaranteed field placements through the Scholar Partner Program begin in the very first semester, so clinical experience anchors the work from the start. An ESL add-license option lets candidates broaden their reach into multilingual classrooms. Lesley undergraduates can get a head start, earning up to 12 graduate credits toward the M.Ed. while finishing their bachelor's degree. As a Massachusetts DESE approved program, it offers an early-immersion, practice-forward route into early childhood teaching. This master's-level early childhood education program prepares graduates for work as kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 22 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
9. 9

   Salem State University

   Salem, MAPublic

   • 49Master's/yr
   • $98,060Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
   • Online
   About the program

   Salem State University offers a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education that prepares candidates for initial Massachusetts licensure to teach PreK through grade 2 in public schools. The online, cohort-based structure signals a program built around a shared community of learners, and its supervised practicum grounds the coursework in real classroom practice, with reduced hours available to those already working as lead teachers. Candidates can move through the program on an accelerated one-year timeline, a standard two-year path, or a self-paced route, which makes it adaptable to different career stages. Beyond the initial-licensure track, the program accommodates already-licensed educators through an advanced studies option, a special education add-on license, and a non-degree licensure-only path. Concurrent certificates in Autism Spectrum Disorders and TESOL let candidates broaden their expertise while completing the degree. As a DESE-approved educator preparation program, it aligns directly with state licensing requirements. Earning a master's degree in early childhood education is a common route toward becoming one of Massachusetts's kindergarten teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 49 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
10. 10

    Cambridge College

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

    • 12Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-2) Master of Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Cambridge College's Early Childhood Teacher Master of Education prepares candidates to teach PreK-2, offering both a licensure option leading to Massachusetts Initial licensure and a non-licensure path for those pursuing the degree alone. The 30 to 34 credit program is built around the Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers, culminating in a 14-week supervised field experience paired with a practicum seminar that ties classroom theory to daily practice. Candidates on the licensure track complete the MTEL Communication and Literacy test and register a Massachusetts educator profile as part of the process. Prospective students should note that the program is no longer enrolling, as Cambridge College is transitioning its early childhood offerings to Bay Path University beginning in Fall 2026. For those already enrolled, the hybrid design keeps the strong clinical core intact through the transition. This master's-level early childhood education program prepares graduates for work as kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
11. 11

    Eastern Nazarene College

    Quincy, MAPrivate nonprofit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Eastern Nazarene College offered a Master of Education that prepared candidates for Massachusetts teacher licensure across several levels, including Early Childhood Education alongside elementary, middle, high school, and moderate disabilities tracks. The breadth of levels suggests a program meant to serve teachers entering or advancing in a range of classroom settings under a single degree. Prospective students should be aware that the college announced in June 2024 that it would close in May 2025, establishing teach-out agreements with Gordon College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and Trevecca Nazarene University. Because the college website is no longer reachable, the program's current status cannot be independently confirmed, and anyone interested should contact the teach-out partners directly. This master's-level early childhood education program prepares graduates for work as kindergarten teachers in Massachusetts.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
12. 12

    New York University

    New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 6Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • MA, Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education, Birth-Grade 2, Initial Certification
    • On-campus
    About the program

    NYU Steinhardt offers an MA in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education that prepares candidates to serve young children across the full range of ability in a single dual-certification pathway. The program leads to New York State initial teaching certification in both general and special education at the early childhood level (Birth-Grade 2), pairing developmental theory with hands-on preparation for inclusive settings. Its 45-credit design is fieldwork-heavy, requiring a semester of supervised fieldwork followed by two semesters of student teaching placed in two different New York City schools. That structure signals a program built for candidates who want to move into the classroom fully licensed rather than pursue an academic or non-certification route. The city itself functions as the training ground, giving graduates experience across diverse school communities. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
13. 13

    Fordham University

    Bronx, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 12Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education (M.S.T.)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Fordham University's Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Science in Teaching in Early Childhood Education, a thirty-six credit hybrid program approved by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The curriculum follows a unified sequence with no separate tracks, though a related dual-certification early childhood and childhood education program stands available for candidates who want the wider certification. Field experience and student teaching anchor the degree in classroom practice, and candidates complete the four workshops New York mandates for new teachers, covering child abuse identification, student dignity under DASA, substance abuse education, and violence prevention. That attention to state-required preparation signals a program focused squarely on readying candidates for the certified teaching role. Completion earns Fordham's endorsement for New York State certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth to Grade 2. Earning a master's degree in early childhood education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
14. 14

    CUNY Hunter College

    New York, NYPublic

    • 66Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2), M.S.Ed.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Hunter College offers a Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education for Birth to Grade 2, an on-campus program recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It reads as a foundational entry into the field: two tracks welcome applicants without prior New York State certification and those with existing related certification, while the program explicitly turns away candidates who already hold early childhood certification, reserving its seats for teachers new to this age band. Supervised experience is a defining feature, with developmental field placements and student teaching spanning three distinct age ranges, from birth through age four, kindergarten, and the first and second grades. That progression gives candidates hands-on grounding across the full early childhood span. Completion leads to New York State certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth to Grade 2. A master's-level path in early childhood education, it builds toward a career among kindergarten teachers in New York.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 66 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
15. 15

    CUNY City College

    New York, NYPublic

    • 26Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education, M.S.Ed.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The City College of New York offers a Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education that reflects its setting in one of the nation's most diverse urban districts. The program runs two tracks, a longer thirty-four to thirty-seven credit path for candidates seeking initial New York State certification through the master's and a shorter thirty-one to thirty-two credit path for those not pursuing certification, which lets it serve both aspiring teachers and educators deepening their expertise. Every course integrates technology and gives sustained attention to diversity of culture, language, family, and learning style within urban schooling. That framing signals a program oriented toward teachers who will work in city classrooms with young children from many backgrounds. The certification track leads to New York State certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth to Grade 2. A master's-level path in early childhood education, it builds toward a career among kindergarten teachers in New York.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 26 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
16. 16

    CUNY Brooklyn College

    Brooklyn, NYPublic

    • 76Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education Teacher (Birth-Grade 2), M.S.Ed.
    • Online
    About the program

    Brooklyn College offers a fully online Master of Science in Education preparing early childhood teachers for Birth to Grade 2, with a structure that meets candidates wherever they are in their certification journey. Three entry options scale from a thirty-credit path for those who already hold early childhood certification to a forty-five-credit path for candidates entering without prior certification, and optional extensions in bilingual early childhood, gifted education, and students with disabilities let teachers deepen a specialty. Seminars and lectures run online while required in-person fieldwork and student teaching keep candidates grounded in real early childhood classrooms. The curriculum, built on NAEYC and Council for Exceptional Children standards, emphasizes play-based, culturally sensitive, and family-centered practice. Completion leads to the New York State Professional Certificate in Early Childhood Education, with candidates passing the CST, EAS, and edTPA assessments. A master's-level path in early childhood education, it builds toward a career among kindergarten teachers in New York.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 76 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
17. 17

    Pace University

    New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 15Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education, Master of Science for Teachers (MST)
    About the program

    Pace University lists an Early Childhood Education Master of Science for Teachers in its graduate catalog, but the program has been formally discontinued effective Fall 2026 and is no longer open to new applicants. A teach-out plan allows currently enrolled students to finish the degree under their entry-year catalog requirements. Prospective students should look to other Pace education offerings or comparable programs elsewhere. Earning a master's degree in early childhood education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 15 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
18. 18

    CUNY Queens College

    Queens, NYPublic

    • 48Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Queens College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education for Birth to Grade 2 that opens two doors into the profession, welcoming both liberal arts and sciences graduates entering teaching and candidates who already hold Childhood Education certification for grades one through six. The thirty-six credit sequence of twelve courses culminates in a full semester of student teaching, or a fifty-hour practicum for candidates who are already certified, tailoring the clinical demand to a teacher's prior experience. By requiring no GRE or PRAXIS scores for admission, the program lowers a common barrier for career-changers and working educators. That combination reads as a practical, accessible route into early childhood teaching. Completion leads to a recommendation for New York State Initial and Professional Certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth to Grade 2. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 48 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
19. 19

    St. John's University-New York

    Queens, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 3Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education, Master of Science in Education (Birth-Grade 2)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    St. John's University offers a Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) that leads to New York State certification, including the required EAS, ALST, and CST exams. The program recognizes that candidates arrive from different starting points and builds two admission pathways to match. A 36-credit field-change option serves educators already certified at another developmental level who want to add early childhood, while a 33-credit career-change option prepares candidates new to teaching. Both routes converge on the same certification outcome, differing mainly in credit load and prior preparation. That design makes the degree readable as a flexible licensure route that adapts to a candidate's existing credentials rather than forcing everyone through an identical sequence. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
20. 20

    New York Institute of Technology

    Old Westbury, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 6Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education, M.S. (Birth to Grade 2, Initial/Professional Certification)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    New York Tech offers an online Early Childhood Education M.S. that prepares candidates for New York State certification exams in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2) while fitting around the schedules of working adults. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the program delivers coursework online around the clock, combining that flexibility with required field experiences and the six-hour DASA workshops mandated by the state. Its 39 to 48 credit range accommodates an optional bilingual education extension of three additional courses, which widens graduates' reach into dual-language classrooms. Because New York certification can often transfer toward requirements in other states, the degree offers portability beyond its home base. The overall design reads as a practical, licensure-focused route for aspiring early childhood teachers who need to study remotely. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
21. 21

    CUNY Lehman College

    Bronx, NYPublic

    • 51Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Lehman College offers a Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education for Birth to Grade 2 that frames teaching as work rooted in care, justice, and equity. The program sets out to prepare reflective practitioners for urban early childhood settings, an orientation shaped by its place serving the diverse communities of the Bronx. Candidates choose between a general early childhood track of thirty-six to forty-two credits and a bilingual extension track of thirty-nine to forty-five credits, the latter serving teachers who will work with young multilingual learners. Completion leads to both initial and professional certification in New York State, and candidates in the bilingual track pass the Bilingual Education Assessment. The college describes the program as nationally approved and accredited. As a master's degree in early childhood education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as kindergarten teachers in New York.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 51 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
22. 22

    Wagner College

    Staten Island, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 4Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • M.S.Ed. Early Childhood/Students with Disabilities Education (Birth-Grade 2)
    • AAQEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Wagner College offers an M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood/Students with Disabilities Education that prepares candidates for dual New York State certification in Early Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2). Accredited by AAQEP, the program is explicitly shaped around working professionals, delivering coursework through evening and technology-assisted formats so candidates can keep their jobs while they study. It typically runs as a one-year cohort starting in summer, which gives the experience an intensive, community-driven rhythm. The dual-certification focus means graduates leave equipped to teach young children of all abilities in inclusive settings. Taken together, the evening schedule, cohort model, and accelerated timeline read as a program built for busy educators seeking to add inclusive early childhood credentials quickly. This master's-level early childhood education program prepares graduates for work as kindergarten teachers in New York.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
23. 23

    Mercy University

    Dobbs Ferry, NYPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 91Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education: Birth-Grade 2, M.S.
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Mercy University offers a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education for Birth to Grade 2 that lets candidates decide how far to extend their certification. Three tracks scale from a thirty-three credit single certification to a thirty-six credit dual pathway adding Childhood Education for grades one through six, up to a forty-two credit triple pathway that layers in Students with Disabilities, so a candidate can shape the degree to how broadly they want to teach. Clinical preparation is substantial, with at least a hundred hours of fieldwork observation embedded across courses and a semester-long culminating clinical experience, all documented through an electronic portfolio. That emphasis on accumulated, documented practice reads as a program built to graduate classroom-ready teachers. Completion supports New York State initial certification, with candidates passing the EAS, CST, and edTPA assessments. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 91 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
24. 24

    Bank Street College of Education

    New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 17Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood General Education (M.S.Ed. / Ed.M.)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Bank Street Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood General Education that treats classroom practice and study as one continuous experience. Candidates move through the program alongside a peer cohort and meet weekly with an advisor, a rhythm that reads as built for teachers who learn best in close, reflective community. Six credits of supervised fieldwork are woven directly into coursework, and a candidate's current teaching position can double as that placement, which suits educators already working in early childhood settings. A dual-certification pathway pairs the degree with an Advanced Certificate in Students with Disabilities, extending a teacher's reach into inclusive classrooms. Completion leads to New York State certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth to Grade 2, at the initial or professional level. Earning a master's degree in early childhood education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
25. 25

    Teachers College at Columbia University

    New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Early Childhood Education MA, Initial Certification
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Teachers College, Columbia University offers an Early Childhood Education MA leading to New York State initial certification (Birth-Grade 2), taught in a cohort model that moves candidates through the program together. The minimum 36-point curriculum reflects the state mandate with a full-time semester of student teaching, and candidates typically finish in one and a half to two years. Beyond the standard route, an optional dual teacher certification track adds credentialing as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities, and a bilingual extension is available for those aiming to teach in dual-language classrooms. A separate non-certification MA serves students pursuing early childhood expertise without licensure. The cohort structure and layered certification options read as preparation for educators who want both a strong professional community and room to broaden their credentials. Graduates of this early childhood education program at the master's level often go on to work as kindergarten teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site

← Back to the overall Best Master's in Early Childhood Education