Master in Elementary Education and Teaching (Master's)

At Ithaca College, tuition is Tuition for the program is charged per credit, with additional fees for prerequisite courses taken during May and January terms..

This is a 13-month intensive master's program designed for students seeking initial teacher certification in elementary education. It combines graduate coursework with hands-on field experiences in diverse public school settings. Students complete two student teaching internships in grades 7-9 and 10-12, supported by mentor teachers and college faculty. The program emphasizes reflective practice through a teacher inquiry project instead of a thesis.

Focus areas include Language Development and Second Language Acquisition, The Exceptional Child in the Classroom, Pedagogy and Practice Across the Disciplines, Educational Technology for Middle and Secondary Educators, Professional Development Seminar, Teacher Inquiry Project.

The program requires 36 credits, distributed across coursework, field experiences, and a teacher inquiry project. Students complete 12 credits in the fall, 9 in the spring, and 3 in the final summer session, with additional credits in their academic discipline.

Graduates enter roles as certified elementary school teachers in public and private schools across New York State.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and complete prerequisite education courses before starting the program. Official transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation are required. Provisional admission is available for those needing to complete prerequisites.

The programme totals about 36 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, 13-month duration with summer and semester terms. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 70% of applicants.

Ithaca College offers more than 140 majors, minors, and other program options, with undergraduates working alongside faculty and peers in more than 70 majors and 70 minors. Studios, stages, clinics, and laboratories give students hands-on experience across the arts, health fields, business, media, and sciences. Graduate students can choose professional degree programs, practical leadership courses, and specialized certificates.

Professional opportunities extend beyond coursework. Students have produced four documentaries aired by Syracuse PBS, and four student ensembles are scheduled to perform at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. The college's alumni include Bora Yoon ’02, whose path as a composer and soundscape creator began at Ithaca. Career mentors in the Center for Career Exploration and Development help students consider career possibilities and plan for life after college.

The campus is in Ithaca, New York, a setting with natural areas and 150 waterfalls near campus. Students can live in a residential community, join more than 200 organizations, clubs, and service opportunities, and attend lectures, performances, athletic events, and workshops. International students should review the full four-year cost forecast, financial aid process, and scholarship options. Support includes one-on-one financial aid appointments, academic resources, counseling, coaching, and fitness centers.