General College policies can be found in the Graduate Programs Bulletin, which can be obtained at the Information Desk on the ground floor of North Academic Center. Other policies specific to the Graduate Programs in Early Childhood Education and the School of Education are explained below in alphabetical order.
Academic Appeals
The faculty of the School of Education defines the degree requirements, academic standards, and rules for candidates enrolled in the school and has jurisdiction over the courses offered. The Committee on Course and Standing is charged with overseeing special cases and appeals. Candidates have the right to appeal any decision to the Committee on Course and Standing which is the final authority on enforcement of curriculum, degree requirements, academic standards, grades, and academic rules.
It should be noted that most academic rules are enforced without exception. Generally, the committee will consider requests for deviations from the rules only when the deviation is within the spirit, if not the letter, of the rule.
For information about the Committee on Course and Standing, contact the chair of the committee or Stacia Pusey, Director of Admissions and Student Services ( spusey@ccny.cuny.edu ).
Academic Support
Students in need of support for writing or other academic issues can receive free support from the School of Education's Learning Resource and Technology Center in North Academic Center, Room 3/226; (/ltrcenter/) or the College's Writing Center - /writingcenter/. An advisor may require a student to seek such supports in order to stay matriculated in the program.
Admissions interview
All applicants for matriculation into the Graduate Programs in Early Childhood Education who have been approved after an initial review of the application, will be required to attend an interview with a program admissions committee before final acceptance decisions are made. The interview includes an on-site essay.
Advanced Standing
Candidates who have completed graduate work at other institutions may receive Advanced Standing (up to 6 credits) toward the master's degree, pending faculty approval. Courses considered for Advanced Standing must have been taken within a five year period preceding matriculation at The City College of New York.
Advising
Advising for the Graduate Programs in Early Childhood Education can be arranged by contacting the program director or other full time program faculty via email or, when the college resumes full in-person work, by stopping by the program office - NAC 5/211 most days when classes are scheduled.
Conditions of matriculation
Once you have matriculated into the program, you are required to attend courses continuously. An absence of two or more years requires that you reapply for admission into the program. Upon readmission into the program, you will be held to program requirements in place at the time of readmission.
Every candidate is assigned an email account through the college. It is important to activate and use this account because the college sends important information to all students in this way. Email accounts can be activated at: https://citymail.ccny.cuny.edu/
E-Permit
Candidates may take pre-requisite courses or graduate courses (6 credits only) with faculty approval at other CUNY schools. If a candidate wishes to go out on permit to another CUNY school, an E-Permit application must be submitted through the CUNY Portal account (https://epermit.cuny.edu/permitdb/cunypermit.nsf/homepage).
Field Experiences
New York State requires that 100 hours of field experiences in addition to student teaching must be completed prior to certification. Most courses in the Initial Certification Program include 10-15 hours of field experiences. If you are already teaching, many of the field experience assignments can be completed in your classroom. If you are in need of a field site, your course instructor or the Director of Field Experiences (North Academic Center, Room 6/207) can recommend one. Candidates seeking Initial Certification must keep documentation of field experience hours. Forms for this documentation can be obtained in the Office of Clinical Practice, Fieldwork and Student Teaching (North Academic Center, Room 6/207).
Fingerprinting
All candidates who will be student teaching and who will be seeking New York State certification need to get fingerprinted by the New York City Department of Education. Information about how to get fingerprinted for this purpose can be found at:
Candidates who will be working in child care centers, home care, and family care facilities need to get fingerprinted through the Department of Investigations. Information for how to do this can be found at:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doi/offices/fingerprint-unit.page
Grades
Grades in the Graduate programs of The City College of New York are A, B, C, F, and INC. Plus and minus grades are given for A's and B's. Concerns about grades should be raised with the instructor. If you are dissatisfied with the instructor's explanation of your grade, you can appeal the grade to the Committee on Course and Standing. A request for the appeal form can be made in the Office of the Chair, North Academic Center, Room 6/207.
Grade Changes
Grade changes are given only to correct an error that has been made by the instructor or when an incomplete grade is changed to a grade after the candidate completes the work (see incomplete policy below). Grade changes are not an option if the candidate is simply dissatisfied with the grade and wants to do more work to improve the grade. Instructors are not allowed to change a grade after it has been submitted.
Grade Point Average Requirement
Graduate childhood education candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA. A candidate will be placed on probation if the GPA falls below 3.0. The candidate will be removed from probation when the GPA reaches or exceeds 3.0. A candidate will be dismissed if the GPA remains below 3.0 for two semesters. Candidates may appeal their dismissal from the program to the Committee on Course and Standing.
NOTE: If a candidate's GPA falls below 3.0, the registrar's office initiates a "stop" that will prohibit registration for the next semester. The candidate must meet with the program director to secure permission to register.
Graduation
Candidates completing program requirements should apply for graduation through CUNYFIRST at the very beginning of the semester in which they are completing the program (i.e., apply by early February for June 1 graduation; apply by early October for February 1 graduation).
Grievances
Candidates with grievances concerning classroom matters other than grades should first attempt to resolve the grievance at the department level through discussion with the faculty member(s) involved. If the matter is not resolved, the candidate should bring the grievance to the program director and, if that is not satisfactory, to the department chair. If the matter is still not resolved, the candidate or department may refer the problem to the academic dean, the Ombudsman, or to the Vice President of Student Affairs, who shall, if necessary, refer it to the Office of the Provost for further consideration and possible action.
Immunizations
All candidates born after December 31, 1956 who are registered for 6 or more credits must submit proof of two immunizations for measles, and one for mumps and rubella to the Wellness and Counseling Center. Candidates must also complete a Meningitis response form and return it to the center. Proof of vaccination again COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 7 days is required to entrance to the campus.
If a candidate has not provided documentation, a "stop" will prohibit registration beyond 3 credits. Upon receipt of immunization documents, personnel at the Wellness and Counseling Center will lift the "stop" to permit registration beyond 3 credits. (Please refer to the College Bulletin for more information.)
"Incompletes"
Grades of Incomplete (INC) are discouraged and will be issued only upon written request to and permission of the instructor who is teaching the course. To obtain an Incomplete, you must sign an agreement with the instructor, detailing the work that needs to be completed and the date at which that work will be turned in (this can be no later than six weeks into two semesters after the course was taken). While grading policies vary among different instructors, you should expect that an Incomplete could result in a lowered grade for the course. A grade of INC that is not resolved in a timely manner will become an FIN (which counts as an F on the candidate's transcript). Requests for extensions of time for resolving INC grades or for changing FIN grades may be considered only by written appeal to the Committee on Course and Standing.
Independent Study
An independent study may be arranged between an instructor and a candidate. An Independent Study form must be completed that describes the nature of the independent study. The Independent Study can range from 1-4 credits. A copy of the form must be placed in the candidate's file.
Internship Certificate
The Internship Certificate Program as described by the New York State Education Department is a program offered by institutions that have registered and approved graduate programs that include an internship experience. Candidates for the Internship Certificate program must already be enrolled in an approved graduate program leading to initial or professional certification. To be eligible for an Internship Certificate, a candidate must
- have completed 50% of the courses in the degree program and be approved by the program faculty
- be in good academic standing; a GPA of 3.0 or greater
- have passed one of the NYS certification exams
- have completed the Child Abuse and Violence Prevention Seminars
- have received fingerprint clearance from New York State (NYSED Requirement)
- be currently employed or have received an offer for an available position from a school that is in the subject area and grade level of the degree and certificate sought
Applications for the internship certified can be obtained from Office of Clinical Experiences, North Academic Center, Room 6/207. Contact Email: nrodriguez1@ccny.cuny.edu
Liberal Arts Requirements for Initial Certification
Upon admission to the Graduate Program in Early Childhood Education, the candidate's transcript(s) is/are reviewed for documentation of the core undergraduate courses required by New York State for early childhood educators seeking initial certification: 6 credits of math, 6 credits of science, and 6 credits of social sciences. Any outstanding pre-requisite courses are listed on the program sheet sent with the candidate's letter of acceptance and must be completed before graduating from the program.
Maintaining Your Matriculation Status
Candidates are expected to maintain continuous enrollment in their program of study. Failure to register for any period constitutes a de facto withdrawal from their program.
A candidate is not eligible to receive a master's degree while not matriculated. If a candidate is not registered for classes during the semester in which he or she expects to graduate, a Maintenance of Matriculation fee is required. Please consult the Bursar for information about this fee.
New York State Teacher Certification Exams
If you are in a program leading to certification, the School of Education will recommend you to the state for certification upon completion of your program. You will need to do the following: Take and pass the EAS (Educating All Students) test, the CST (Content Specialty Test) - MultiSubject in Early Childhood, and the School of Education’s Teacher Performance Portfolio. Please see http://www.nystce.nesinc.com for details about the exams. Preparation support classes for the exams are offered for free by the School of Education to enrolled students. Information about these classes and about how to register to take the exams can be found at the School of Education's Learning Resource and Technology Center in the North Academic Center (please link to the center). Your scores on these tests will be uploaded into your TEACH account, which is a New York State online system that documents your certification status. When you have taken and passed those tests, you will need to go into your TEACH account and apply for the certificate you are seeking. You will be advised about this whole process in more detail during student teaching.
Non-Matriculated Status
A candidate who is registered as a non-matriculant is not eligible to receive a master's degree while in that status. A non-matriculant will not be granted a permit to register for courses off campus.
Non-matriculants are allowed to take up to 9 credits. To continue taking courses beyond 9 credits and to officially become a member of the program, the non-matriculated student must formally apply to the program. A non-matriculant who wishes to become matriculated must have a B average or better in courses taken within the graduate program.
Plagiarism
As stated in the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity: "Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person's ideas, research or writings as your own." The following are some examples of plagiarism:
- Copying another person's actual words without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to their source
- Presenting another person's ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source
- Using information that is not common knowledge without acknowledging the source
- Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments
- Internet plagiarism includes submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing or copying information from the internet without citing the source, and "cutting & pasting" from various sources without proper attribution
A candidate who plagiarizes may incur academic and disciplinary penalties, including failing grades, suspensions, and expulsion. A complete copy of the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity may be downloaded from the College's home page.
Policy on Lateness and Absence
Candidates are expected to attend every class session of each course in which they are enrolled and to be on time. While the policy for lateness and absence may vary from one instructor to another, CCNY policy suggests that an instructor not give credit to a candidate who is absent more than three times. No distinction is made between excused and unexcused absences. An instructor may treat lateness as equivalent to absence. Per CCNY policy, an instructor has the right to drop a candidate from a course for excessive absences. The Registrar will enter a grade of WU.
Qualifying Examination
Any candidate who has three or more NC's, WU's, or F's on his/her transcript or a GPA below 3.0 at the time of graduation eligibility is required to take a Qualifying Examination. This examination is developed by the program and administered by a proctor. It assess overall content knowledge of the program.
Re-application
If a candidate has not attended classes for 4 or more semesters, the candidate must reapply to the program by filling out a new application, securing one new letter of recommendation, and attending a group interview for new applicants. If changes in the program have occurred since the candidate last attended, the candidate must adhere to any new program policy and procedure. Prior coursework in the program will be considered.
Re-entry
If a candidate has not attended classes for 1-3 semesters, the candidate must complete a re-entry application in the Admissions and Student Services Office (North Academic Center, Room 3/223) and pay a processing fee. More information about this can be obtained by contacting edgradadm@ccny.cuny.edu .
Registration
Registration online begins the last month of the semester prior to the new one. Returning students can register this way Announcements of the time for each semester's registration can be found on the College's website and also are posted on the bulletin boards outside of the advising room and on the phone message of the Early Childhood Program (212-650-5182).
Student Teaching
Student teaching comes at the end of the program. All candidates seeking initial certification in early childhood education need to complete a student teaching experience. It is a full-time semester-long experience. After consulting with an advisor to determine if you are ready, candidates need to apply for student teaching to the School of Education’s Office of Clinical Practices (Noris Rodriguez - nrodriguez1@ccny.cuny.edu ). A requirement for admission to student teaching is to pass one of the New York State certification exams (we recommend the EAS) and to earn a GPA of 3.0. For many, who are already working in early childhood settings, student teaching can be completed as “supervised teaching” in your site. However, some experience in two of the three different age groups of the early childhood certificate (birth - 2nd grade) is required by the State Education Department: birth - 4 year olds, Kindergarten, and/or 1st/2nd grade. Candidates will work out arrangements for how and where to do their student/supervised teaching with advisors. Co-requisites of student teaching are a student teaching seminar, EDUC 1900G - a zero credit Friday workshop series that provides career advice and the state-mandated workshops required for certification of all teachers (child-abuse, violence prevention, and DASA (Dignity for All Students), and the research course - EDCE 2202I, which will support you to complete the School of Education’s and New York State’s required performance assessment.
Technology
Technology support is available from the School of Education’s Multi-Media Center (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/mmcenter), the School of Education’s Learning Resource and Technology Center (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/mmcenter), and the college’s Service Desk (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/it/help)
Tuition Reimbursement for Teachers/Caregivers Working in Accredited Early Childhood Settings Who Are Working Toward New York State Certification
Tuition reimbursement is currently provided by New York State to candidates who are teaching and working toward certification through the New York State Education Incentive Program (EIP).
Scholarships for those in the NYS and NYC early childhood workforce are also available at PDI | Workforce Scholarship | Career Development Center (earlychildhoodny.org).
Waiving Courses
For candidates in the initial certification streams, up to 3 courses (9 credits) may be waived based upon commensurate undergraduate or graduate coursework and faculty approval. Any candidate in any stream of the program who has received waived credits must complete the minimum number of credits required in that stream for graduation and certification.
Withdrawals
A candidate may withdraw from a course during the first ten weeks of the semester by requesting a withdrawal form from the Office of the Registrar, obtaining the signature of the course instructor and the dean, and returning the form to the Office of the Dean.
A course dropped during the first three weeks will not appear on the transcript. A grade of W will be assigned to courses dropped between the third and tenth week.
A candidate who wishes to drop a course later than the tenth week must petition the Committee on Course and Standing and present, in writing, satisfactory reasons for requesting permission to withdraw.
A candidate who fails to apply for an official withdrawal and simply stops attending the course, will receive a WU (which counts on the transcript as an F) for that course.
Last Updated: 10/23/2023 14:37