Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in New York

NYU Steinhardt's Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education is built for aspiring teachers who want to reach every learner in a Grades 1 to 6 classroom, since it carries dual certification in both general and special education. Spread across eight semesters and 128 credits, the program layers liberal arts study over a shared pedagogical core and then a specialized one that digs into literacy, mathematics, science, and special education methods. What makes it especially hands-on is the commitment to practice, with four full semesters of student teaching in public or independent schools rather than a single capstone placement. Graduates emerge eligible for New York State initial certification in both childhood education and childhood special education for Grades 1 to 6. Classes meet on campus in New York City, and the program is listed under NYSED code 22743. Among New York's 37 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 88%. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Education with two New York State registered majors, Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). The Childhood Education track prepares candidates for New York State Initial Teacher Certification through coursework aligned with state standards and a full professional semester of student teaching in local schools. An 18-credit education minor is available for non-majors. Delivered on campus. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

This undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood & Childhood Education at SUNY New Paltz prepares candidates for New York State dual certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth to grade 2) and Childhood Education (grades 1 to 6). The program combines educational studies coursework with a 30-credit academic concentration in a liberal arts discipline. Candidates complete sequenced fieldwork placements followed by a full-semester student teaching capstone divided between primary and intermediate settings. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

Skidmore College's Education Studies B.S. is a childhood education major of at least 63 credits that prepares candidates for New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 through 6. True to its liberal arts setting, the program requires majors to pair it with a second major in a liberal arts and sciences discipline, so future teachers graduate with real depth beyond pedagogy. The curriculum moves from classroom coursework into extensive field placements, culminating in a 12-credit Elementary Education student teaching capstone in which candidates gradually assume full teaching, administrative, and management responsibilities. Certification eligibility also depends on four state-mandated workshops, the required examinations, and the college's recommendation. Taught on campus, the program is offered by an educator preparation provider that holds AAQEP accreditation through 2029. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

Boricua College offers a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education that prepares candidates to teach grades 1 through 6 in New York State. The coursework builds on a liberal arts core and pairs education theory with practicum experiences in classrooms, including supervised student teaching across the elementary grades. Study is completed on campus in New York City, and the program leads to teacher certification. Its teacher education program has held CAEP accreditation. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

At SUNY Geneseo, the Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood and Childhood Education leads to New York State initial certification in two bands at once, Early Childhood Education for birth through grade 2 and Childhood Education for grades 1 through 6. The program builds practice directly into its coursework, embedding 150 hours of field experience before candidates reach a two-course student teaching capstone in EDUC 431 and EDUC 432. That arrangement keeps theory and classroom time closely linked throughout. Instruction is delivered on campus. The Ella Cline Shear School of Education, which houses this and every other education program, earned initial AAQEP accreditation in June 2025. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

SUNY Cortland's Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) B.S. is an approved teacher preparation program (state program code 29707) leading to the New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education, grades 1-6. It pairs a liberal arts and sciences foundation with professional education coursework, extensive classroom field experiences, and full-time student teaching. Offered on campus in Cortland, New York. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

St. John Fisher's B.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education is a 49-credit major within a minimum 120-credit degree that leads to dual New York State initial certification in Childhood Education (grades 1-6) and Students with Disabilities, with optional early childhood (birth-grade 2) and grades 7-9 content extensions. The sequential program requires a second major or concentration in a content or liberal arts area and 150 hours of clinical experience, at least 50 focused on students with disabilities, before student teaching. Candidates must earn a C or higher in certification courses. The program is accredited by CAEP. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

SUNY Oneonta's Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education is built for aspiring elementary teachers, leading to New York initial certification for grades 1-6 with an option to add a dual Early Childhood credential that stretches coverage back to birth. Rather than teaching content in the abstract, the curriculum weaves general education and professional coursework together with one of thirteen liberal arts concentrations, in subjects such as English, mathematics, or Spanish, so candidates graduate with real depth in a field. The rhythm of the program is hands-on, with weekly early field experiences accompanying a cohort Block semester of five methods courses, and the final semester sending students into two student teaching placements in New York districts. Candidates complete the edTPA performance assessment for certification, and the program is delivered on campus. It awards more bachelor's-level elementary education degrees than any of New York's 37 ranked bachelor's-level programs, 180 in the most recent year. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

The B.A. in Child Study at St. Joseph's University's Brooklyn campus prepares candidates to teach children from birth through grade 6. The intensive track qualifies graduates for New York State initial certification in four areas: Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2), Childhood (Grades 1-6), and Students with Disabilities in both bands. Coursework pairs field placements, including work at the campus Dillon Child Study Center preschool and local elementary schools, with a culminating student teaching placement. The program holds full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation through June 30, 2029. Delivered on campus. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

City College's undergraduate Childhood Education program awards a Bachelor of Science in Education and a recommendation for New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 through 6 (ages 6-11). The 120-credit curriculum spans three areas: liberal arts core requirements, a co-major or interdisciplinary concentration, and required education courses. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

For those who picture themselves with the youngest classrooms, Niagara University's Early Childhood and Childhood Education program leads to initial New York certification from birth through grade 6 and can be earned as either a B.A. or a B.S. Offered through the College of Education, the 120-credit degree pairs its education coursework with real depth in a subject, asking students to complete at least 36 credits in an academic content area of specialization. Time in schools comes early rather than late, with observational field experiences opening in the first semester and leading toward a comprehensive, supervised student teaching placement. Niagara reports a 97% pass rate on the Educating All Students certification exam, which it cites as 8% above average. Certification earned here is recognized across 46 reciprocity states. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

CUNY Brooklyn College's Childhood Education Teacher program leads to a Bachelor of Arts and New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 through 6. Pedagogical coursework is paired with a concentration in the liberal arts and sciences or a second major, so candidates build depth in an academic subject alongside their teaching preparation. The degree culminates in a full-time student teaching placement in a local school and is completed on campus. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Russell Sage College's Childhood and Early Childhood Education B.S., offered through its Esteves School of Education, prepares candidates to teach the youngest learners across a Birth to Grade 6 licensure range. The program pairs its education coursework with a liberal arts concentration in a subject such as English, Spanish, history, or life science, so future teachers build genuine depth in what they will one day teach. Classroom experience is central, with two supervised student teaching placements putting candidates in front of children well before graduation. Those who want to broaden their reach can add an optional grades 7 to 9 middle childhood extension, and students may accelerate into graduate study. Taught on campus and accredited by AAQEP, it offers a grounded, hands-on start for anyone drawn to early and elementary teaching. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

Elmira College offers a Childhood Education program through its Education Department, an on-campus teacher preparation pathway leading to New York State certification. Students complete three practicum experiences during their sophomore and junior years, followed by a mandatory full-time student teaching placement for one term in the senior year. All students are required to sit for the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. Elmira College's Teacher Education Programs are AAQEP accredited, with accreditation action taken in 2024 and the next site visit due in Spring 2031. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

St. Bonaventure University's Childhood Education, B.S., housed in the School of Education, prepares candidates for New York certification to teach grades 1 through 6. What sets its rhythm apart is an early start, with the professional sequence beginning in the first semester of junior year and moving through a structured Field Block into student teaching in the final semester, so classroom time accumulates steadily. The program is built to be tailored, letting students choose dual certification with Early Childhood Education, dual certification with Children with Disabilities, or a triple inclusive certification, and it grounds every candidate in a liberal arts concentration of at least 30 credits. The educator preparation program holds CAEP accreditation. Qualified high school seniors can even reserve a graduate seat through the Early Assurance Program, making this a strong fit for students who already picture a master's ahead. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.

The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Early Childhood Education prepares students for the New York State Initial Certificate in Childhood Education, grades 1-6. The degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 90 in liberal arts and sciences content courses and 30 in residence. Students complete pre-professional courses before admission to an intensive Professional Preparation Sequence, typically the final four semesters, organized as a cohort in which students work together on campus and in the field. Field-based assignments are embedded across the professional sequence. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

SUNY Plattsburgh's Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education, offered through the Education Department in the School of Education, Health, and Human Services, leads to New York State initial certification for grades 1 through 6. What stands out is how early and how deeply candidates get into classrooms, completing more than 400 hours of supervised field experience in local schools, starting in the very first semester of the first year and building toward student teaching. The coursework is integrative rather than siloed, weaving together literacy, special education, technology, and multicultural competencies and leaning on a collaborative team-planning approach. For students who want to keep going, the degree lays a foundation for combined B.S.Ed./M.S.Ed. study. The Educator Preparation Program is accredited by AAQEP, with its most recent review completed in 2021 and the next scheduled for spring 2028. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.

SUNY Oswego brings more than 150 years of teacher preparation history to its Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) B.S., a licensure program offered through the College of Education, Health, and Human Services and nationally accredited by AAQEP for its content, clinical experiences, and program impact. Students anchor the degree in a concentration, choosing from options such as English, mathematics, science, or modern languages. What distinguishes the program is the reach of its clinical work, as sustained field placements unfold in diverse Central New York schools, with student teaching available in Syracuse, Rochester, and New York City, and even international placements in destinations such as the Czech Republic, Paris, and New Zealand. Prospective students should note that the program is designed around New York State licensure rather than requirements in other states. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

Alfred University's Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Childhood Education, offered through the Division of Education, gives future teachers genuine subject depth alongside their preparation for the youngest grades, requiring a 30-credit academic concentration in a field such as biology, English, history, or mathematics. Spread across an average of four years and 124 credit hours, the program moves students steadily into classrooms with two junior-year practicum placements before a full student teaching semester in the fall of senior year. Placement sites reach beyond campus to New York City and Long Island, widening the settings in which candidates learn to teach. Graduates earn New York State Early Childhood (Birth-2) and Childhood Education (grades 1-6) certification. The program is AAQEP accredited, and licensure additionally requires the CST, EAS, and auTPA assessments. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.

St. John's University offers a Bachelor of Science in Education in Childhood Education, preparing candidates to teach grades 1 through 6 from its School of Education on the Queens campus. The program leads to teacher certification and gets students into schools to observe real classrooms as part of their preparation. What gives it range is the ability to layer on a concentration, letting students combine childhood teaching with TESOL for grades Pre-K through 12, Literacy, or Special Education, so graduates can shape a credential around the learners they most want to serve. The School of Education frames its mission around a rigorous curriculum, hands-on learning, and in-school observation, and that emphasis on practice runs through the degree. Instruction is primarily on campus, with online learning options available for added flexibility. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

Manhattan University's Childhood Education B.A. prepares candidates for New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 to 6, and it treats subject knowledge as central rather than incidental, pairing pedagogy with one of nine concentrations such as biology, mathematics, English, and social studies. Students can take the 121-credit degree on its own or extend it to 127 credits by adding the Dual Childhood and Students with Disabilities option. Fieldwork opens with classroom observation in the first education course and grows through middle school and concentration-area hours into a full semester of student teaching across urban and suburban districts in the New York City metro area. Based in the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences, the program holds full seven-year AAQEP accreditation. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

Pace University's Childhood Education major led to a Bachelor of Arts through the School of Education and prepared candidates for K-6 licensure, with coursework delivered on campus in New York. Prospective students should know that the program has closed, since it was formally discontinued effective Fall 2026 and is no longer open to new applicants or declarations. Those already enrolled are not left stranded, as the university has committed to a reasonable opportunity to finish through a teach-out plan or approved substitutions where appropriate. For anyone considering elementary teaching at Pace now, the practical takeaway is simple, new enrollment in this path is no longer available. Applicants interested in childhood education will need to look to other options. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Houghton University's Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities is a dual-certification major, combining preparation to teach Grades 1-6 with a Students with Disabilities credential spanning PK-12. Across its 124 credits, students take 54 credits of required major courses and layer on a concentration in a subject such as mathematics, science, English, social studies, or music, so they graduate with a genuine content focus as well. Fieldwork is substantial, with at least 150 hours in general and inclusive classrooms preceding a full senior-year student teaching semester, and placements can be arranged locally or in urban, rural, or international settings. A distinctive Inner City Immersion Experience in Buffalo widens that exposure further. All of Houghton's education programs are accredited by AAQEP. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.

CUNY York College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Education for grades 1-6, housed in the Department of Teacher Education. A New York State-registered teacher preparation program, it leads to certification to teach grades 1 through 6. It is a distinct track from the college's Interdisciplinary Studies for Social Justice in Childhood Education degree. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

St. Francis College in Brooklyn offers a B.A. in Childhood Education with an English concentration through its Education Department, preparing graduates for Initial New York State Certification to teach in childhood classrooms. The 121-credit degree balances general education, a substantial major, and electives, and it builds toward a full-time, supervised student teaching semester in P-12 classrooms as its capstone. A distinctive feature is its Emergent Literacy course grounded in science of reading research, which signals real attention to how children actually learn to read. Beyond the elementary focus, the pathway also supports Adolescence Education certification in areas such as English, social studies, and mathematics, giving students room to broaden their credentials. With faculty who bring decades of New York City school experience, the program keeps its teaching firmly rooted in the realities of the city's classrooms. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

Wagner College's Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education with Students with Disabilities prepares candidates to teach grades 1 through 6 across both general and special education, a design that reflects how often the two overlap in today's inclusive classrooms. Every candidate carries a second major in a liberal arts field such as English, mathematics, history, or psychology, so future teachers bring real subject knowledge to the elementary grades they will lead. Coursework in the college's Education Department is paired with field placements and student teaching in nearby schools, including inclusive settings where general and special education meet. This hands-on emphasis lets candidates test classroom ideas well before they graduate. The program holds AAQEP accreditation and leads to New York State dual certification. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.

Childhood Education at SUNY Fredonia is a Bachelor of Science in Education housed in the Education Department that leads to New York State certification for grades 1 through 6. The 122-credit program, or 124 credits for Erie Community College transfer students, puts candidates in classrooms from the first semester through four structured field experiences and closes with a 12-credit student teaching term in EDU 420 and EDU 422. Along the way, students build depth in an academic concentration of at least 30 credits, choosing from options such as English, math, and the natural sciences. AAQEP accreditation backs the degree. Students who want to go further can follow a five-year dual-degree option that adds a master's in Literacy or Childhood Inclusive Education. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.

SUNY Buffalo State University's Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education is built for aspiring elementary teachers and leads to initial New York State certification for grades 1 to 6. What sets it apart is the depth of its classroom experience, since candidates complete two supervised student teaching placements with children of different ages in different kinds of schools, and at least one of those placements lands in an urban Buffalo classroom. Small, field-based courses capped at 15 students keep the learning personal, and a 30-credit academic concentration lets each student develop real expertise in a subject they love. Those who want to reach older learners can add optional extensions to grades 7 through 9 in areas such as English, mathematics, or a world language. An accelerated 4+1 pathway to a master's degree rounds out the options, and the program is accredited by CAEP. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

At Long Island University's LIU Post campus in Brookville, the Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education readies teachers for learners from birth through grade 6. Offered jointly by the Department of Teaching and Learning and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 120-credit degree devotes 54 credits to the major and moves students steadily from observation into practice, beginning with 10 fieldwork hours in an early course and continuing through a later placement before student teaching of at least 360 hours. Graduates who pass the EAS, CST, and edTPA earn dual New York State Initial certification, giving them two credentials from a single program. The teacher-education offerings are accredited by CAEP and taught on campus. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.

Hartwick College's Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Elementary Education prepares candidates for New York certification in grades 1-6 with a Special Education endorsement, through the Education Department. The program builds a minimum 540 hours of immersive classroom experience across general and special education settings, with at least 250 hours integrated into coursework before student teaching, including two January Term mini-practicums. Senior-year student teaching runs through EDUC 481 or 482 and EDUC 487. A member in good standing of AAQEP, the program reports a 100 percent pass rate on New York State Certification Exams for 2020-2021. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.

SUNY College at Potsdam's Bachelor of Arts in Childhood/Early Childhood Education is a smart choice for future teachers who want the widest possible reach, because its combined major earns two initial New York State certifications at once, covering Birth to Grade 2 and Grades 1 to 6. Offered through the School of Education and Professional Studies, the program balances classroom coursework with field experiences and culminates in full-time student teaching in elementary classrooms across the state. That structure gives candidates real time in front of children before they ever hold their own room. A standout feature is the Watertown option, offered in partnership with Jefferson Community College, which lets students complete most of their coursework locally and travel to Potsdam only for a single upper-level student teaching seminar. The rest of the program is delivered on campus, making it accessible to students in different parts of the North Country. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.

Iona University's Bachelor of Science in Education, with its Childhood Education concentration, prepares candidates to teach grades 1-6 through the Education Department in the School of Arts and Science. Rather than treating content as an afterthought, it asks students to complete a 30-credit concentration in a subject such as English, social studies, mathematics, biology, or Spanish. Guided fieldwork starts in the first two years and builds toward a culminating student teaching placement, so practice is woven through the degree. Students who want a broader reach can choose a Childhood/Early Childhood dual-certification track covering birth through grade 6, and the degree can extend into an MSEd for Special Education and Literacy certifications or a 4+1 route to a Master of Science in Teaching. The program is accredited by AAQEP. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.

SUNY Old Westbury's Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education is built for future elementary teachers and leads to New York State Initial Certification for grades 1 through 6. What gives the program its personality is choice and close attention, starting with 10 concentration areas that let candidates anchor their teaching in a subject they care about, whether that is biology, English, history, mathematics, or Spanish. Through the School of Education, students step into real classrooms right after admission, thanks to partnerships with local public, private, and charter schools that make fieldwork an early habit rather than a final hurdle. A 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio keeps classes intimate, and every student works with an assigned faculty adviser who helps shape the path from enrollment to certification. The program is accredited by AAQEP. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

For students drawn to the elementary grades, CUNY Medgar Evers College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education that certifies graduates to teach grades 1 through 6. Learners pair their education studies with a content specialization in a subject such as mathematics, science, or social studies, giving their teaching a clear academic focus. Much of the learning happens in the field, where candidates complete clinical practice beside experienced teachers in New York City public schools or another approved setting. The program is housed in the Department of Early Childhood and Multicultural Childhood Education, a home that signals its attention to the city's diverse classrooms. It leads to New York State licensure and holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

College of Staten Island, CUNY prepares students to teach grades 1 through 6 through its Science, Letters, and Society major, a Bachelor of Arts in the School of Education and Social Work. The major is the path to New York State certification in childhood education, and students complete fieldwork in elementary classrooms followed by a semester of student teaching. Courses meet on campus, and the college's educator preparation is accredited by CAEP. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.

St. Thomas Aquinas College's Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood and Childhood Education prepares teachers to work across a wide span of young learners, certifying candidates for both the early childhood and childhood grade bands from birth through grade 6. Offered on campus in Sparkill, New York, the dual-certification program keeps students in real classrooms through field experiences, internships, and supervised student teaching arranged with local districts such as Clarkstown, Nyack, Pearl River, and Suffern. Those partnerships give future teachers steady, hands-on practice close to campus. Students can add an English concentration and pursue five-year dual-degree pathways into an MSEd in Literacy Education or Special Education, including an Autism Specialization option. The program readies candidates to sit for New York State teacher certification examinations. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.