Bachelor of Science Bilingual Early Childhood & Childhood Education (BIEECE)

Educating Teachers. Advancing Bilingual Futures at ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ.

The Bilingual Early Childhood and Childhood Education (BIEECE) program prepares students for New York State Initial Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 2), Childhood Education (Grades 1–6), and the Bilingual Extension. The Bilingual Extension qualifies teachers to teach in Bilingual Programs in New York State.

Graduates from the Bachelor of Science in BIEECE are prepared to teach in Bilingual Education programs, as well as in general education classrooms, across early childhood and elementary settings.

Bilingual educators play a critical role in supporting multilingual learners while fostering equity, academic excellence, and community engagement. Our program is grounded in the four core pillars that define high‑quality bilingual education:

• Bilingualism & Biliteracy – Developing strong skills in two languages for academic and real‑world success
• High Academic Achievement – Ensuring rigorous learning for all students
• Sociocultural Competence – Honoring students’ identities and fostering cross‑cultural understanding
• Critical Consciousness – Encouraging students to think critically about their world and their role within it

Grounded in the core pillars of bilingual education—bilingualism and biliteracy, high academic achievement, sociocultural competence, and critical consciousness—the program prepares teachers who are academically skilled, culturally responsive, and deeply committed to social justice. Coursework emphasizes culturally sustaining and inclusive teaching practices, critical reflection, and meaningful engagement with diverse communities. Students in this program learn to design instruction that honors and sustains children’s cultural and linguistic assets while supporting academic success and preparing them to participate constructively in a multilingual, multicultural society.

Program requirements are organized into four areas:

1. ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ Pathways General Education
   Required Core, Flexible Core, and College Option
   (36–42 credits)
2. Early Childhood & Elementary Education Content Core (EECE)
   (30 credits)
3. BIEECE Pre‑Professional Coursework
   (12 credits)
4. BIEECE Professional Coursework Sequence
   (36 credits)

You can find a detailed overview of each program below:

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