Explore Fordham University’s Master’s in Education Programs

Some education master’s programs require stepping away from the classroom to learn. Fordham’s Graduate School of Education is designed to keep you in it, building on more than a century of urban education grounded in Jesuit ideals of intellectual rigor and service.

Three distinct pathways sit at the center: the Curriculum and Teaching M.S.E., the Master of Science in Teaching for initial certification, and the Advanced Literacy M.S.E. for reading specialization. Each is available in online, hybrid, or on-campus formats that fit the schedules of working educators.

The result is a degree aligned with New York’s certification landscape and a professional network rooted in the nation’s largest school system.

Accreditation and New York State Certification: Why It Matters

The landscape of educator preparation accreditation is shifting toward performance-based evidence, and Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education is aligned with this modern approach through its AAQEP accreditation.

Understanding AAQEP Accreditation

Fordham holds initial accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), valid through December 31, 2028.¹ AAQEP reviews are grounded in evidence of program effectiveness and candidate performance. This status confirms that Fordham’s education programs meet rigorous national accreditation standards and that graduates are well-prepared for the classroom. While Fordham is not currently CAEP-accredited, AAQEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and many state education agencies, including New York’s.

New York State Certification Pathways

Fordham’s M.Ed. programs are designed to align directly with New York State Education Department (NYSED) commissioner’s regulations. Graduates of approved initial certification programs are eligible for New York State initial teacher certification, and the school also offers pathways for professional certification, supporting teachers as they advance in their careers. Coursework and field experiences are structured to meet all state-mandated competencies, including the edTPA performance assessment.

Specialized Standards for Literacy Programs

The Master's in Reading and Literacy program follows standards from the International Literacy Association (ILA) and other specialized professional associations (SPAs) recognized by the state. This ensures that literacy educators are trained in evidence-based reading instruction, assessment, and intervention practices required for New York’s literacy specialist certifications.

Fordham's M.ed. Programs at a Glance: Curriculum, Teaching, and Literacy

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Curriculum and Instruction M.ed.: Design, Lead, Transform

The Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) in Curriculum and Teaching at Fordham University is a focused 30-credit program¹ designed for completion in as few as 12 months of full-time, on-campus study¹. Often referred to as a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, this degree prepares you to design, implement, and assess innovative curricula across diverse learning environments.

Program Focus: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

The program emphasizes the intersection of theory and practice. You will examine how curricula are developed, how effective instruction is delivered, and how assessment informs both teaching and learning. Coursework builds skills in analyzing educational research, evaluating curriculum models, and leading instructional improvement, whether in a classroom, school, or district-level role.

Core Courses and Elective Flexibility

A 12-credit core² grounds you in essential areas:

• Curriculum theory and design to understand historical and contemporary models.
• Inquiry into teaching and learning to apply research-based strategies.
• Research methods to evaluate educational practices and programs.

The remaining 18 credits² come from electives, allowing you to tailor the degree to your professional interests. While the program does not offer formal concentrations, you can use these electives to craft a personalized focus, for example, by selecting courses in urban education, STEM pedagogy, instructional technology, or literacy.

Culminating Experience: Comprehensive Exam

Instead of a thesis or portfolio, the program requires a comprehensive examination (CTGE 0701)². This exam assesses your ability to synthesize and apply knowledge from across the curriculum. It serves as a capstone demonstration of your expertise in curriculum and teaching.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): From Theory to Classroom

Fordham’s Master of Science in Teaching (MST) programs, often referred to as the MAT pathway, offer aspiring educators a structured, practice-based route to initial teaching certification in New York. Designed for those without prior teaching credentials, these programs combine a rigorous academic foundation with immersive field experiences in the city’s public schools.

A Direct Path to Initial Certification

The MST is built for career changers and recent graduates who hold a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or sciences. Upon completing all requirements, candidates earn New York State initial teacher certification, along with a master’s degree. Required workshops, including Child Abuse Identification and Reporting¹ and an Autism Training Module², ensure graduates meet state mandates before entering the classroom.

Hands-On Clinical Experience

Fieldwork is central to the program, with a total of 600 clinical hours required. Placements are concentrated in New York City public schools, where teacher candidates work alongside mentor educators. For example, the Adolescence Education track arranges student teaching for three full days per week across two semesters, while TESOL candidates complete 180 hours of supervised practice¹. These experiences allow future teachers to apply theory immediately and develop classroom management skills in urban settings.

Program Tracks and Grade Bands

Fordham offers MST specializations that span all age groups and several high-need areas:

• Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)
• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
• Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) in core subjects: English, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Science
• TESOL (All Grades)
• Dual certifications that combine early childhood, childhood, or adolescence education with special education, including a track for Teaching Students with Disabilities All Grades.

Credit requirements range from 30 to 45, depending on the track and any dual certification components¹. Coursework addresses key competencies such as adolescent development, literacy across content areas, and strategies for teaching English language learners, often featuring courses like Teaching the Arts in Childhood Education and Special Education Foundations.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Reading and Literacy M.ed.: Building Expert Literacy Educators

As literacy education shifts toward evidence-based reading instruction, Fordham’s Advanced Literacy M.S.E. prepares educators to lead with expertise in assessment, intervention, and coaching. The 30-credit program is designed for certified teachers who want to earn New York State Literacy Specialist certification, qualifying them for roles that support struggling readers, shape curriculum, and mentor colleagues. Coursework aligns with International Literacy Association (ILA) standards and covers the full arc of literacy development from emergent reading through adolescent literacy.

Core Curriculum

Three foundational courses anchor the program and build clinical skill:

• Foundations of Reading: Examines the cognitive, linguistic, and sociocultural processes that underpin reading acquisition.
• Diagnosis and Remediation of Literacy Difficulties: Trains candidates to administer and interpret formal and informal assessments and to design targeted interventions.
• Literacy Coaching and Leadership: Develops the leadership and professional learning skills needed to guide schoolwide literacy improvement.

Additional coursework extends into writing instruction, digital literacies, and content-area literacy, ensuring graduates can support learners across all grades.

Practicum and Clinical Experience

The program requires two supervised practicum experiences, typically completed in a reading clinic housed in a partner school or community setting. Under the mentorship of experienced literacy faculty, candidates apply diagnostic and instructional strategies in one-on-one and small-group settings. This clinic-based model mirrors the work reading specialists perform in schools, giving graduates a strong portfolio of assessed student work and intervention plans.

Certification and Program Culmination

Fordham’s Advanced Literacy M.S.E. leads directly to New York State certification as a Literacy Specialist at either the Birth, Grade 6 or Grades 5, 12 band (or both, with additional coursework). To earn the degree, candidates must pass a Master’s Comprehensive Exam (CTGE 0701) that synthesizes their clinical and academic learning.¹ The program is offered on campus at Fordham’s New York locations, integrating fieldwork throughout the New York City metro area and drawing on the school’s deep partnerships with local districts.

Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid Learning: Flexibility for Working Professionals

Fordham University designs its graduate education programs around the schedules of working teachers, offering multiple delivery formats that make it practical to earn a master's while teaching full time, a balancing act covered in how to balance teaching and a master's degree.

Online and Hybrid Options

Several M.Ed. programs, including the Curriculum and Instruction MSE and the Reading and Literacy MSE, are available fully online or in a hybrid format combining online coursework with occasional on-campus sessions. This means you can complete required academic content from anywhere, with the option to engage face-to-face when it suits your schedule. The online learning platform prioritizes interaction, using discussion forums, collaborative projects, and regular faculty check-ins to mirror the engagement of a classroom.

Evening and Weekend Schedules

For those who prefer the campus experience, courses are held during evenings and on weekends at both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses. This scheduling deliberately avoids school-day conflicts, so practicing teachers can attend after dismissal without interrupting their professional commitments. The predictable timetable allows you to plan ahead, fitting coursework around grading, lesson planning, and family life.

Real-World Field Placements

Regardless of whether your coursework is online or in person, all field placements take place in person at New York City schools. These clinical experiences are woven into the program to ensure you apply theory to practice in real, diverse classrooms. Fordham's deep partnerships with NYC school districts mean placements are thoughtfully arranged to align with your certification goals and geographic preferences, giving you practical training that complements your academic learning no matter which delivery mode you choose.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid: What You'll Invest

A master's degree from Fordham's Graduate School of Education is an investment in your teaching career and earning potential. For the 2026, 2027 academic year, tuition and fees are structured to provide transparency as you plan financially.

Tuition: Per-Credit Rate and Credit Requirements

Fordham GSE master's programs charge a flat per-credit tuition rate of $1,835 for graduate education courses. Most M.Ed. programs require between 30 and 36 credits, which puts total tuition in the range of $55,050 to $66,060.¹ Some specializations or dual certification paths may require additional credits, so it is wise to consult your program's specific curriculum map.

Part-time students often take two courses (six credits) per semester to remain eligible for federal financial aid.² The consistent per-credit rate makes it easy to calculate costs whether you enroll full time or stretch the program over several terms.

Fees: Mandatory University Charges

Beyond tuition, all graduate students pay mandatory university fees each term. These include: - General Fee: $99 per semester, supporting student services and campus facilities. - Technology Fee: $372 per semester, covering network access, instructional technology, and software.

Some students also encounter additional charges. An application fee of $85 is required when you submit your admissions materials. A one-time assessment fee of $199 applies to candidates completing certification or portfolio reviews. International students pay an extra $76 per term for visa-related services. Health insurance is mandatory: the fall coverage cost is $1,890 and spring is $3,342, though students with comparable coverage may request a waiver. If you need to maintain continuous enrollment while not taking courses, a $340 maintenance of matriculation fee applies per term.¹

Financial Aid: How to Fund Your Degree

Fordham GSE offers several paths to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Matriculated graduate students may apply for school-based scholarships, awarded based on academic promise and financial need. Graduate assistantships provide stipends and sometimes tuition remission in exchange for research or administrative work within the school.³

Federal aid is available to eligible students. You can borrow up to $20,500 per year through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, provided you enroll in at least six credits per semester. The Graduate PLUS Loan can cover remaining costs up to the total cost of attendance.² Prospective educators may also explore additional grant opportunities. Note that non-matriculated students are not eligible for federal aid programs.³

Fordham Education Graduates: You Could Earn $85,569

Career Outcomes: Where Fordham M.ed. Graduates Work

The value of a master's in education often hinges on a single question: will it open doors to roles that match your ambition? For Fordham graduates, the answer is grounded in a network that spans New York City's largest school district, charter networks, and Catholic schools, plus a career services infrastructure designed to turn a degree into a professional trajectory.

Where Fordham Graduates Land

Fordham’s M.Ed. alumni work across a spectrum of settings and positions:

• Curriculum coordinator: designing and aligning instructional materials across grades or departments.
• Instructional coach: mentoring teachers, modeling lessons, and leading professional development.
• Reading specialist: diagnosing literacy challenges and implementing interventions in elementary or secondary schools.
• Elementary and secondary teacher: deepening content expertise and pedagogy to improve student outcomes.

Many graduates secure roles with the NYC Department of Education, the nation’s largest school system.¹ Others are employed by well-known charter networks such as Success Academy and KIPP, or by Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of New York. This geographic concentration gives Fordham alumni an advantage in a competitive local market.

Career Services and Alumni Support

Fordham’s Graduate School of Education offers targeted career support that begins during your program and extends after graduation. Students can access a dedicated job board, attend on-campus recruitment fairs that draw district and charter school recruiters, and tap into a vast alumni network. That network, built over decades in the New York metropolitan area, provides mentorship, job leads, and professional connections that often prove decisive in landing a first role or advancing to a leadership position.

Earning Potential

While individual salaries vary by role and years of experience, consolidated data shows that Fordham education master's graduates typically earn above the national median for master's degree holders in education. This premium reflects the school’s strong reputation in the New York City labor market and the advanced skills its programs cultivate.

How Fordham Ranks for Education Programs

National rankings and global league tables paint different pictures of a university’s strengths, but for education graduate programs, the local and disciplinary context often matters most. Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education holds a strong position in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Education Schools, ranking #39 nationally¹. This places it among the top education schools in the country, and when you zoom into the New York City landscape, it stands as a compelling choice for aspiring educators.

National and New York City Comparisons

The Graduate School of Education sits within Fordham University, which is consistently ranked among the top national universities. Within education specifically, Fordham outperforms many larger public institutions and competes directly with prestigious private peers. For context, Teachers College at Columbia University consistently claims the #1 spot, and NYU Steinhardt hovers inside the top 20. CUNY Hunter College, a prized public option, typically lands within the top 100. Fordham’s #39 ranking signals a program that balances academic rigor with the kind of hands-on urban teaching experiences that New York City demands.

Specialized Program Recognition

Beyond the overall education school rank, Fordham’s online graduate education offerings have drawn national notice. The program was ranked in the top 20% of online graduate education degrees by U.S. News in 2019², reflecting its early and sustained investment in flexible, high-quality remote learning. The school also claims an overall percentile standing in the top 10% among education graduate programs nationwide³. While subject-specific rankings, for areas like Curriculum & Instruction or Reading and Literacy, are not individually broken out by all major rankers, applicants can take confidence in the school’s consistent high-level placement across the field.

Global Perspective

In global university rankings, the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) placed it at #1117 globally and #216 nationally in 2025⁴. These broad measures reflect the university’s research output and international reputation across all fields, but they don’t overshadow the focused excellence of its education school. For current and future teachers, Fordham’s reputation is built on decades of urban education leadership and strong school partnerships, which matter far more than a composite global score.

• U.S. News Education School Rank: #39 nationally (2026)¹
• Online Graduate Education: Top 20% (2019)²
• Overall Percentile: Top 10% among education graduate programs³

Admissions Requirements: Your Application Checklist

Getting into Fordham University’s graduate education programs means assembling a thoughtful application that shows both your academic readiness and your commitment to the field. While the exact requirements differ from one program to the next, most share a common core of documents and steps. Because admissions policies can change, starting at the official Fordham Graduate School of Education (GSE) website is the only way to ensure you are working with the most current checklist for your chosen program.

What You’ll Typically Need

Across Fordham’s Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and related degree paths, the application generally asks for several standard pieces. You can expect to submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended, showing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Many programs look for a minimum undergraduate GPA, often around a 3.0, though this can be flexible when other parts of your application are strong. A current résumé or CV detailing your professional experience, especially any work in schools, with children, or in related educational settings, helps the admissions committee understand your background. Letters of recommendation, usually two or three, carry significant weight; these should come from academic instructors or supervisors who can speak to your potential for graduate study and classroom effectiveness. Finally, a well-crafted statement of purpose is your chance to explain why you want to pursue this degree at Fordham, how it fits your career goals, and what you’ll bring to the learning community.

Standardized Testing: The GRE Question

One of the most common questions from applicants is whether the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Fordham GSE, like many education schools, has moved toward test-optional or test-flexible policies in recent years, but the policy is not uniform across all programs. Some specialized tracks may still ask for GRE scores, while others have dropped the requirement entirely. The only reliable way to get an answer for your specific program is to contact the admissions office directly, either by email or a brief phone call. Speaking with an admissions representative can also clarify whether you might benefit from submitting scores even if they are not mandatory, particularly if your undergraduate GPA is below the typical range. When you do reach out, ask whether any alternative assessments, such as the Miller Analogies Test, are accepted in place of the GRE.

Application Deadlines and Timing

Fordham’s education programs operate on a rolling or term-based schedule, with distinct fall and spring entry points. Deadlines can vary: fall admission deadlines often land in early spring (March or April) for priority consideration, while spring deadlines might fall in October or November. Some programs also offer a summer start. Because these dates shift, you should consult the specific program page on the GSE website rather than relying on a general university calendar. Planning ahead matters: submitting all materials by the priority deadline can improve your chances for financial aid as well as admission. If you are applying for New York State teacher certification through your degree, note that certification requirements run on their own timeline, so you’ll want to start early to ensure all coursework and teacher certification exams align.

Digging Deeper: Acceptance Rates and Class Profiles

Public data tools can give you a broader sense of Fordham’s selectivity and student body. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) provide institution-level information, such as overall acceptance rates and average graduate debt, but they typically do not break these figures down by individual program or school. For education-specific numbers, you may need to contact the GSE directly or attend an information session, where admissions staff often share recent class statistics. When reviewing any data, keep in mind that an average acceptance rate across the university is not the same as the rate for the Graduate School of Education, which can be more or less competitive. A direct conversation with the admissions team remains your best source for understanding the profile of a successful candidate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fordham's M.ed.

Below are answers to the most common questions about Fordham's Master's in Education programs. Whether you're exploring online options, admissions requirements, or financial aid, we have clear information to help you plan your graduate studies.

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