Published December 09, 2023
Change Lives, Shape Minds, Mold Futures: Become an Educator
The TL;DR
- NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development offers a variety of teaching degrees and an interdisciplinary BA program in education.
- NYU Abu Dhabi has a preprofessional program with elective courses that introduce students who want to become a teacher to the field of education.
- NYU Shanghai students can take advantage of service-learning and research opportunities built into courses organized by the Office for Community Engaged Learning.
Some things to know if you’d like to pursue a career in teaching
Teacher Education Programs at NYU Steinhardt
In the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development’s urban-focused teacher education programs, you can study how children’s minds develop while gaining invaluable experience in the country’s largest public school system. Here, you can choose from program options in early childhood education, middle and high school education, and specific subject instruction. Most of NYU’s teaching majors provide you with the certification you’ll need to teach in New York State. But all of them complement classroom learning with plenty of real-world experience through field observations, research, or student teaching in New York City and beyond.
If you’re interested in helping young learners grow, then choose: The BS in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (birth–grade 2)
Babies and young children absorb information faster and more easily than during any other phase of life. So, of course, working with them can be incredibly rewarding! In this program you’ll learn how the stages of human development can vary from child to child. Additionally, you’ll find out how to provide the youngest learners with foundational skills they’ll need for success throughout their school years and beyond. Not only that, you’ll discover ways to cultivate rich learning environments for children of all ability levels. And through fieldwork in a variety of educational and community-based environments, you’ll work with every early-childhood age group.
This major prepares you for a career as a teacher, but you also can take advantage of other opportunities like becoming an after-school director, a children’s book editor, or even a social service agency caseworker.
Course Spotlight | Mathematics in Early Childhood Education
In this core requirement, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of how children develop early insights into mathematics. In particular, you’ll learn how to infuse mathematical concepts into areas of your curriculum and create adaptations for learners with diverse abilities.
“One of the most valuable resources I’ve relied on is my cohort, about 15 to 20 juniors and seniors who take courses together. We collaborate, have a supportive group chat, and rally together when we need to. Most importantly, we are a network of future educators.”
— Maggie Sonenshine, Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (birth–grade 2), 2024
If you’d like to focus on teaching children ages 6 through 11, then choose: The BS in Childhood Education/Childhood Special Education (grades 1–6)
Between the ages of 6 and 11, children retain more knowledge and maintain a greater focus on activities while also acquiring the academic and social skills they’ll rely on for the rest of their lives. In this major you’ll gain the knowledge to help students reach their fullest potential. For example, you’ll learn about instructing foundational subjects like math, social studies, science, and language arts, as well as how to recognize when a child might benefit from early intervention. During your first two years, you’ll conduct fieldwork in general and special education in grades one through three, then four through six. In your junior and senior years, you’ll embark on student teaching at four different school sites under the supervision of your classroom teachers and a Steinhardt faculty member.
This degree is designed for students who want to become teachers, but can also launch a career like a children’s television producer, a curriculum specialist, or a school librarian.
Course Spotlight | Bilingual Multicultural Education: Theory and Practice
This core requirement explores how bilingual and multilingual experiences shape a student’s education. You’ll learn about theories, policies, and practices in US and global contexts. Furthermore, you’ll examine the different roles and responsibilities of educators and professionals who work with multilingual communities.
“I decided to come to NYU because of the diverse communities and peers I knew I would encounter on campus. Coming from a small suburban city, I always longed for an experience where I could meet and build relationships with people across the world, and NYU has been the perfect place for that.”
— Julie Park, Childhood Education/Childhood Special Education (grades 1–6), 2023
If you’re passionate about a particular subject and would enjoy teaching middle and high school students, then choose: The BS in Secondary Education (grades 7–12)
While continuing to learn about the subject you love, prepare to inspire tomorrow’s scientists, political leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs. Most of NYU’s subject-specific teaching degrees qualify you to teach grades seven through 12. Some even prepare you to teach grades five and six. This degree provides a teaching specialization in English, World Languages, Mathematics, Science (biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics), or Social Sciences, or a minor in Computer Science Education.
You’ll spend your junior year observing students in New York City public school classrooms. Then in your senior year, you’ll develop your own teaching style in two semesters of student-teaching. Graduates also have the option to expand their career beyond the classroom through roles like a curriculum evaluator or subject specialist at a nonprofit. In addition, graduates could select a career like a journalist, a science illustrator, or even a zoo or museum instructor.
Course Spotlight | The Universe: Its Nature and History
If you choose to specialize in teaching earth science, this course requirement will give you a robust introduction to the nature and evolution of the universe. This course covers topics like the reason for the seasons and the Copernican Revolution to neutron stars and black holes.
“My advice is that if you have a passion for helping kids learn, then have confidence in your ability to grow and become a teacher. If becoming an educator is what you want, then don’t let other people deter you. Because who knows? Maybe you will be the change we need.”
— Jada Kristen Murphy, Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (birth–grade 2), 2024
If you are passionate about education and making a difference in the world of educational systems then choose: The BA in Education Studies
While Steinhardt’s other education-focused majors prepare you to teach in classroom settings, the Education Studies major takes a broader approach. You’ll examine historical and contemporary US education topics, explore issues like human rights activism and globalism, and discover the role you can play in making change possible.
Through core courses, internships, and study abroad, you will gain hands-on experience in learning about educational change and advocacy in urban and global settings, and you’ll be prepared to work in a variety of spaces that focus on education.
Course Spotlight | Education + Law
Unlock your potential to navigate the complexities of education law! Explore the legal and ethical challenges in PK-12 schools while developing skills to advocate for teachers, students and families. You’ll gain essential knowledge of laws and policies to effectively analyze social justice issues and create meaningful change.
“NYU was an unexpected choice for me. But when it came time to make one of the biggest decisions of my life, I knew that no place could compare to NYC for its opportunities, resources, and excitement. The city continues to surprise me even today. Being part of the incredibly supportive ASH department—has offered me steadfast encouragement in my journey of growth, both rapid and gradual, and provided a true sense of home, halfway across the world from where I started.”
– Feitong (Angel) Zhang, Education Studies, international student from China, 2025”
“I am proud that at NYU Steinhardt I was able to not only strengthen my desire for equity, social justice, and community within the education field, but to also learn how to translate these values into actions.”
— Kira Santos, Childhood Education/Childhood Special Education (birth–grade 2), 2023
More Ways to Study Education
Teacher Education Abroad
Add international context to your teaching degree by spending a semester abroad. Both NYU Accra and NYU London offer the required Human Development course, which includes weekly observations in Ghanaian or British schools. You also have the option to spend a semester at one of NYU’s 10 other global academic sites, from Buenos Aires to Paris.
FYI! If you plan on becoming a teacher internationally or in a US state other than New York, NYU Steinhardt can help you navigate the certification process. Steinhardt’s certification officer will support you and help apply for the teaching certifications you’ll need to make it happen!
Dual-Degree Programs
With these options you earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years. NYU College of Arts and Science students who enroll in these programs often receive scholarships toward graduate study at NYU Steinhardt.
- BA in Education Studies/MA in Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy
- BA in English/MAT in Teaching English: Transformational Teaching (grades 7–12)
- BA in History/MAT in Teaching Social Studies: Transformational Teaching (grades 7–12)
- BA in Mathematics/MAT in Teaching Mathematics: Transformational Teaching (grades 7–12)
Minor Programs
Pair any major with a minor in Teacher Education at NYU Steinhardt. This curriculum covers the study of education and human development from early childhood through adolescence.
You can also pair with one of the three minor offered by the Education Studies program:
Minor in Global and Urban Education Studies: The interdisciplinary undergraduate minor, open to all undergraduates across NYU, will give you a deeper understanding of critical social, cultural, economic, political, legal, and policy issues in education – nationally and internationally, and in urban and nonurban contexts. You’ll be prepared for a career or further study in business, education, policy, law, or international development.
Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies: This undergraduate minor gives you the tools to analyze global conflicts and the skills to understand and contribute to efforts to build peace. You’ll have opportunities to explore pressing issues from political violence and terrorism to civil resistance through cross-school course work throughout the NYU global network.
Minor in Data and Education: This minor is open to all undergraduates across NYU, aims to introduce students to how data-driven solutions and applications can improve and inform education practices, policy making, and implementation; and how education, as a tool, can impact many aspects of society beyond school boundaries.
Study Education at NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi’s social science division has a preprofessional program with electives that introduce students to the field of education. These courses tap into local institutions, organizations, and businesses, and are academically rigorous, considering questions like: Why do schools often sit at the center of controversies? Since the offerings are electives, you can build them into your major or expand them into a minor for a truly multidisciplinary foundation. Recent course offerings and the degree programs that incorporate them include:
- Disability in a Global Context: Advancing Inclusion in the United Arab Emirates
- Majors: Arab Crossroads Studies, Social Research and Public Policy
- International Peacebuilding and the Role of Education
- Majors: Political Science, Social Research and Public Policy
- Minor: Peace Studies
Study Education at NYU Shanghai
At NYU Shanghai, choose a major you’re passionate about like Math or Humanities (history, literature, philosophy). Then, you can expand your teaching experience by volunteering. Take advantage of courses organized by the Office for Community Engaged Learning that have service-learning and research opportunities built into them. Below are a few options you might pursue:
- Developmental Psychology
- Opportunity: Observe and teach at Zhuyuan Kindergarten
- Language and Power
- Opportunity: Teach English to migrant children through the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Stepping Stones
- Parenting and Culture
- Opportunity: Observe, research, and teach at after-school programs hosted by the NGO Sunflower
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World Language Education at NYU Steinhardt
This unique degree prepares students to teach Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish and includes initial New York State teaching certification.