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Early Childhood Education, BS/Special Education, MSEd
Inspire young minds and shape inclusive learning environments with a dual degree in early childhood and special education from Â鶹´«Ã½. In just five years, youÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll earn two degrees, receive dual certification, and graduate fully prepared to support diverse learners from birth through second grade.
Location
New York City
Westchester
Number of Credits
150Â鶹´«Ã½“153
Start Date
Fall, Spring
F1 Visa Eligible
Yes
STEM Designated Program
No
Become a Champion for Early Learners of All Abilities
The first years of a childÂ鶹´«Ã½™s education are critical for building confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning. With Â鶹´«Ã½Â鶹´«Ã½™s combined degree program, youÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll gain the expertise to support diverse learners, preparing for dual certification in early childhood education (birthÂ鶹´«Ã½“grade 2) and special education (all grades).
Starting as early as your sophomore year, youÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll gain immersive classroom experience, working alongside experienced educators to develop the skills needed to meet the needs of every child. Through fieldwork, tutoring, and hands-on teaching, youÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll learn how to create engaging lesson plans, adapt instruction for different learning styles, and foster inclusive classroom environments.
PaceÂ鶹´«Ã½™s Center for Professional Development (CPD) model ensures that by the time you graduate, youÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll be more than ready to lead a classroom of your own. With strong partnerships in New York school districts, Pace graduates are highly sought after, with many securing full-time teaching positions before they even graduate.
97%
of our graduates are employed or continuing education or service (Source: Â鶹´«Ã½ Â鶹´«Ã½ Services)
Top 17%
best online master's in education programs (Source: U.S. News & World Report 2025)
#3
special education job placement (Source: Intelligent.com)
Curriculum
In our unique combined degree program, youÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll earn your bachelor of science and master of science in education. In the fifth year of the program, you will work towards your graduate degree in Special Education and enhance your knowledge of disabilities to become a specialist in your school.
Take Courses LikeÂ鶹´«Ã½¦
Get Real Experience in the Classroom
Because experience is key, starting in your junior year, you will participate in our Center for Professional Development (CPD) model where you will practice your teaching skills through the completion of your undergraduate program. Receive hands-on experience in schools one day a week in your junior year and between two and five days during your senior year.
YouÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll observe and tutor students, as well as provide small and eventually whole group instruction. Not only will you be able to apply what you are learning in the classroom, but also have the opportunity to explore different grade levels as you proceed through the program. As a CPD candidate, you have a unique opportunity to foster professional relationships with mentor teachers, students, and school staff, all in support of the diverse population of the students that you are serving.
Â鶹´«Ã½s
Upon graduating from the program, you will become certified to teach Early Childhood Education (birthÂ鶹´«Ã½“2nd grade) and students with disabilities. Our strong partnerships with local school districts mean that our students are getting hired before they even graduate.
As a Pace student, youÂ鶹´«Ã½™ll have the opportunity to connect with our robust career services team to develop a career plan that best fits your goals.
Where Pace Graduates are Employed
- NYC Department of Education
- Westchester County School Districts
- Rockland County School Districts
- Putnam County School Districts
Featured Faculty
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Director
Professor
Department Chairperson
Admission and Financial Aid
Ready to take charge of your future? Pace is with you every step of the way, providing a world class education and the skills your industry will be looking for far into the future.
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- November 1: Early Decision
- November 15: Early Action I
- December 1: Early Action II
- February 15: Regular Decision
Explore required documents and admission decision dates for first-year, transfer, and international students.
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Ready to apply? Begin your application process.
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Understanding the value of a degree is essential, especially in terms of return on investment (ROI). According to The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Â鶹´«Ã½ is in the top 6% of U.S. colleges that provide the best return on tuition investment.
For the 2024Â鶹´«Ã½“2025 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition is $51,382. However, many students pay significantly less due to our generous merit scholarships, which offer up to $33,000 annually, as well as need-based scholarships, grants, on-campus employment opportunities, and loans. Pace is more affordable than you think. Financial assistance can come from many places, including scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans.
Merit Scholarship Estimator
based on your academic achievements to see how much merit aid you may receive.
Net Price Calculator
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your annual education costs and financial aid package.
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who are here to support you every step of the way. Schedule a one-on-one appointment to discuss your goals, application questions, and any other information you need to make an informed decision about your future at Pace.
Top 6%
Did You Know?
Pace is ranked in the top 6% nationally for return on investment (Source: The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce)
Contact Us
Admission Contact
Office of Undergraduate Admission
New York City: (212) 346-1323
Westchester: (914) 773-3746
Email: undergradadmission@pace.edu
Departmental Contact
Raquel Plotka
Email: rplotka@pace.edu