Childhood Education Studies, A.S. - SUNY Niagara

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Childhood Education Studies, A.S.

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Program Overview

Childhood Education is a field rich in opportunity, full of possibility, and vitally important to our children, families, economy, and global society.

Teachers establish positive learning environments, prepare class materials, decide on teaching methods, evaluate success of methods assessing student learning, develop and revise curriculum, work with parents and community to meet the needs of their students, and engage in professional development.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • Teaching at the elementary school level offers qualified candidates the opportunity to introduce the exciting world of learning to young children.
  • Teaching involves both instructional and non-instructional types of activities before, during and after school hours.
Catalog Information
Curriculum Overview

Career information and opportunities

Childhood Education Studies, A.S.

SUNY Niagara’s Childhood Education Studies A.S. is your first step toward teaching grades 1 through 6. The program is jointly registered with SUNY Buffalo State, giving you a fast track to a bachelor’s degree in childhood education.

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What careers does a Childhood Education Studies A.S. lead to?

  • Elementary school teacher (grades 1–6)
  • Special education teacher

Teaching in a public school requires a bachelor’s degree and a state teaching certificate. Your A.S. is the first two years of that path.

Can I work with kids while I study?

  • Teacher assistant
  • Before- and after-school program staff
  • Childcare worker

Public schools often hire teacher assistants who have two years of college or an associate degree.

Sources

How much can I earn?

Median yearly pay in the U.S., May 2025
JobMedian per year
Elementary special education teachers (needs a bachelor’s degree)$65,120
Elementary school teachers (needs a bachelor’s degree)$63,970
Teacher assistants$36,780
Childcare workers$34,980

Median means half of workers earn more and half earn less.

Pay depends on the job, your experience, your education and the employer.

What is the job outlook?

  • Elementary school teachers: Little or no change is expected from 2025 to 2035, but there are about 99,400 openings each year.
  • Teacher assistants: Little or no change is expected, but there are about 176,200 openings each year.
  • Childcare workers: Jobs are expected to drop 2%, but there are about 150,300 openings each year.

Most openings come from teachers and staff retiring or changing careers, so schools keep hiring every year.

Sources

Where do elementary educators work?

  • Public elementary schools
  • Private and charter schools
  • Before- and after-school programs
  • Childcare centers
  • Tutoring and enrichment programs

Public school teachers need a state license. Private school teachers usually do not.

What do teachers do?

  • Create positive learning environments
  • Plan lessons and develop curriculum
  • Assess how students are learning
  • Work with families and the community
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How do I become a teacher?

  1. Finish your 61-credit A.S. in education, psychology, math and general education.
  2. Transfer to a four-year school, such as SUNY Buffalo State, to earn a bachelor’s degree.
  3. Complete student teaching and pass your state certification tests.
  4. Earn your New York State teaching certificate and start teaching grades 1–6.

Certification steps can change. Your advisor can help you plan each step.

What does “jointly registered” mean?

The A.S. is jointly registered with SUNY Buffalo State. The two schools planned the program together, so your courses are built to lead into Buffalo State’s childhood education bachelor’s degree.

Which courses prepare me?

  • EDU 101 Introduction to Careers in Teaching
  • EDU 201 Introduction to Education
  • EDU 206 Introduction to Contemporary Education
  • EDU 211 Introduction to Literacy Instruction
  • EDU 120 Disabilities Birth to Adolescence
  • MAT 108 Math for Childhood Education I
  • MAT 109 Math for Childhood Education II
  • PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology
  • PSY 220 Child Development
  • PSY 270 Psychology of Teaching and Learning

You also take U.S. history, science, literature and a world language, the subjects you will one day teach.

Sources
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