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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- Monroe College has announced that its School of Education is expanding enrollment into its Bachelor of Science degree program in early childhood education for the fall semester to meet the increased demand for educators created by the introduction of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s universal pre-kindergarten program.
The mayor’s new initiative is expected to provide free, high-quality, full-day pre-K to more than 73,000 children in New York City by the 2015-16 school year, beginning with some 53,000 this fall.
Students gain double the amount of student teaching experience required by New York state, completing more than 500 hours of real-world instruction by working with children at local nursery schools, day care facilities and primary schools throughout the course of their studies.
The school also maintains a partnership with AmeriCorps Jumpstart program, an early childhood education organization that trains college students to serve preschool children in low-income neighborhoods, providing students with the opportunity to complete more than 300 hours of teaching experience in pre-kindergarten classes in exchange for tuition, support or a direct salary. Monroe is one of 17 schools in the tri-state area to partner with Jumpstart.
"Students enrolled in our early childhood education program are in a position to capitalize on their real-world teaching experience and enter a field that is undergoing rapid expansion as the city implements its universal pre-kindergarten initaitve," said Stephen Jerome, president of Monroe College. "Our bachelor's degree program prepares students for meaningful jobs as future educators by equpping them with the requisite knowledge.
Students interested in early childhood education who would like to learn more about the application process to Monroe College can contact the admissions office at 800-556-6675 or email Anne Lillis, acting dean of the School of Education, at alillis@monroecollege.edu.
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