The Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education at LIU Post prepares professional teachers and leaders to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and younger children in their formative years (Birth to Grade 2). You will be trained to work in a variety of educational settings, including public and private schools, Head Start programs, child development and child care centers and other programs related to the education of children, from ages zero to 8. The program is designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and college and who wish to begin a new career as a certified school teacher. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for Initial Teaching Certification from New York State. In addition, current teachers who have bachelor's degrees in education and Initial Teaching Certification may use this program to expand their expertise to the first through sixth grade levels. This program meets the New York State master's degree requirements for Professional Teaching Certification.<br><br>The M.S. degree curriculum comprises 11 education courses (33 credits) plus field experience, supervised student teaching (6 credits), and a culminating experience. In the required courses you will study the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of small children, including culturally diverse populations. You will gain an understanding of the theory and practice of teaching language arts -- reading, writing, listening, and speaking -- in the early childhood classroom. The curriculum includes courses in ''The Psychological Foundations of Education,'' ''Creative Expression for Early Childhood,'' ''Child Development,'' and ''Beginning Reading and Writing: Emergent Literacy.'' After completing 12 education credits, all students take a seminar in Health and Substance Abuse.