Programs in the Teacher Education Department are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in early childhood (birth to second grade) or childhood (first to sixth grade) education. These programs also give students substantial background in the liberal arts and sciences.

The Early Childhood Education Program offers students the choice of focusing on infants and toddlers from birth to three (ECI) or preschoolers and early elementary school age children ages 3 to 8 (ECP). Coursework includes an introductory course in early childhood education, an overview of Special Education, two early childhood curriculum courses, and two fieldwork courses that prepare students to become assistant teachers in childcare, Head Start, nursery and pre-kindergarten programs, and public and private elementary schools. In addition, a large percentage of early childhood majors choose to continue their education at four-year colleges in order to become head teachers with initial New York State certification. The program has articulation agreements with several CUNY schools and with New York University. Upon completion of the program requirements in Early Childhood Education, the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is awarded.

The Childhood Program is jointly registered with City College. In addition to a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, students will take two educational foundations courses that prepare them to continue their studies in Childhood (EDU) or Bilingual Childhood Education (EDB) leading to initial New York State certification for elementary school teachers (first through sixth grades). The two Childhood foundations courses may be taken as electives by students who wish to continue in teacher education at the four-year college but are not enrolled in either of the teacher education degree programs. Upon completion of the program requirements in Childhood Education, the Associate in Arts (A.A.) is awarded.