Explore Master’s in Education Programs at CUNY Lehman College

Lehman College is the Bronx’s primary pipeline for new educators. Nearly nine out of ten of its graduate students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college’s role as a social-mobility anchor. This dual commitment to urban education and access drives every M.Ed. program the college offers.

Lehman’s graduate education portfolio includes several masters in education specialization areas: childhood education, literacy, special education, bilingual extension, counseling, and educational leadership. Each aligns with New York State certifications where demand remains high.

For working educators, choosing Lehman means balancing a program’s format and cost against a clear path to licensure and career advancement in New York’s largest school system.

M.ed. Programs and Specializations at Lehman College

Lehman College’s School of Education prepares educators to lead in diverse, urban classrooms, with a deep commitment to equity and social justice. Its graduate programs blend rigorous theory with hands-on clinical practice, all shaped by the realities of teaching in New York City.

Master’s Programs and Specializations

Lehman offers a variety of master’s degrees that align with both initial and professional teaching certifications. Programs include: - Educational Leadership: for aspiring school and district administrators - Special Education: with concentrations in early childhood, childhood, and adolescence - Early Childhood Education: focusing on birth through second grade - Teaching (MAT): a broad pathway to initial certification in multiple areas - Mathematics Education: for grades K-12 specialist roles - Science Education: with tracks in biology, chemistry, and physics - Music Education: leading to certification in teaching music K-12

Many of these lead directly to New York State teacher certification, a critical factor for in-state job placements.

Signature Program Features

Lehman integrates several distinctive elements into its M.Ed. offerings:

• Bilingual extensions: available in several programs, including the M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, preparing teachers for dual-language settings.
• Clinically rich residencies: full-year, co-teaching placements in partner schools, giving candidates immersive experience before they graduate.
• NYC school partnerships: a network of Bronx and borough-wide schools host student teachers and often serve as pipeline employers.
• Flexible credit structures: for example, the Early Childhood M.S.Ed. requires 36 to 42 credits, allowing students to pursue additional certifications or endorsements.

These features directly reflect Lehman’s mission to serve a high-need, culturally diverse student population.

A complete list of all current M.Ed. programs, including credit requirements, delivery formats, and certification paths, appears in the program table below.

How to Apply: Admission Requirements for Lehman’s M.ed. Programs

What are the admission requirements for Lehman College’s master’s in education programs?

Applying to a Lehman M.Ed. requires careful preparation, but the process is designed to evaluate your academic readiness and professional promise. Below, you’ll find the core requirements, program-specific prerequisites, and key deadlines to keep in mind.

General Requirements for All M.Ed. Applicants

All graduate education applicants at Lehman must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.¹ For some programs, students with a GPA as low as 2.7 may be considered for conditional admission if they demonstrate strong professional experience or other evidence of potential. Official transcripts from every college or university attended are required.

Program-Specific Prerequisites and Materials

Beyond the baseline, each specialization carries its own expectations:

• Childhood Education: Applicants need a 500-word career-goals essay, two or three letters of recommendation, and a current résumé (unless the program leads directly to teacher certification, in which case the résumé is optional). GRE scores are not required.³
• Special Education: This M.S.Ed. or M.Ed. demands a 3.0 GPA,¹ two letters of recommendation, and a 3-page essay detailing your interest in the field. Depending on the track, such as Bilingual Early Childhood/Childhood or Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist, you may need to hold a valid New York State teaching certificate, pass the NYS CST or Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA), or show 6 credits in each of four core subjects. The bilingual concentration requires proficiency in Spanish.
• Educational Leadership: Though general M.Ed. standards apply, this program typically expects at least three years of full-time teaching or pupil-personnel service in a school setting, along with a copy of your teaching certificate.
• Health Education: This M.S.Ed. requires a 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, and a Personal Goal Statement.⁴ Sequence 1 is for teachers certified in an area other than health; Sequence 2 requires initial certification in health education.

Application Materials and Deadlines

Before you begin, review the graduate admissions page for full requirements. Essential items include:

• Career-goals essay (typically 500 words) or Personal Goal Statement, as specified by your program.
• Letters of recommendation: Most specializations ask for two or three; check your program’s webpage for the exact number and preferred sources (academic or professional).
• Résumé or CV: Required for most programs; see notes above for exceptions.
• Test scores: GRE scores are not universally required for M.Ed. programs.⁵ However, certain specializations (like some Special Education tracks) may require the NYS CST or BEA.

Many Lehman M.Ed. programs observe a priority deadline of April 15 for fall admission.³ Some programs offer rolling admission after that date if seats remain, and spring or summer entry may have separate deadlines. Always confirm dates on the program’s official page or the graduate admissions overview. Submit your completed application, fee, and all supporting materials by the deadline to receive full consideration.

Program Format: Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid Options

Lehman College provides a range of delivery formats to meet the needs of working professionals and New York City commuters. Most programs offer online or hybrid options, while some require on-campus attendance. All education programs include fieldwork or practicum experiences, with certain counseling programs requiring low-residency in-person components.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid at a Glance

Understanding the cost of graduate school starts with one central decision: will you pay per credit as a part-time student, or take advantage of Lehman’s full-time flat-rate billing? Both paths can lead to an affordable M.Ed., but the numbers look different depending on your enrollment status and residency.

Cost Per Credit and Full-Time Flat Rate

• In-state per credit: $470 (2025-2026)¹ This rate applies whether you enroll in one course or a full load.
• Full-time flat rate: $5,545 per semester¹ for students taking 12 or more credits. The flat rate caps per-credit costs for a heavy course schedule, rewarding those who can accelerate their degree.
• Out-of-state students are charged a higher per-credit rate. For a representative 36-credit Master’s program like Early Childhood Education, total tuition can reach approximately $21,000.

Mandatory Fees to Include

Fees are charged each semester and should be factored into your budget: - Student activity fee: $98.15 - Technology fee: $125.00 - Consolidated fee: $15.00 - Student senate fee: $1.45¹ - Academic excellence fee: $50 per semester, assessed for the first four semesters of any School of Education graduate program.²

Combined, expect around $290 in fees during those first four semesters, dropping to about $240 thereafter.

Estimating Your Total Investment

Most M.Ed. programs require 30 to 48 credits². For a typical 30-credit degree, costs break down as follows: - In-state, part-time: $470 × 30 = $14,100 in tuition, plus roughly $1,200 in fees over four semesters, totaling near $15,300. - In-state, full-time: $5,545 × 4 semesters = $22,180 in tuition, plus fees, bringing the total to approximately $23,400. The per-credit route may be cheaper for shorter programs, but the flat rate wins if you take 15 credits or more each term or complete a higher-credit program quickly. - Out-of-state students should budget roughly $20,000 to $25,000 in tuition alone, depending on credit requirements and course load, with fees adding about $1,200 across four semesters.

Programs requiring 36 to 48 credits, such as the M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, scale proportionally.

Financial Aid Options for Education Students

• Federal loans and work-study: File the FAFSA to determine eligibility for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, graduate PLUS loans, and part-time campus employment.
• TEACH Grant: Awards up to $4,000 per year for students in high-need fields who commit to teaching four years in a low-income school. Lehman participates and can guide you through the service agreement requirements.
• Lehman College scholarships: The School of Education administers need- and merit-based awards, often targeting candidates heading into urban classrooms, bilingual education, or shortage areas. Check the graduate financial aid portal for current listings.
• Graduate assistantships: A limited number of positions come with tuition remission, a stipend, and hands-on experience alongside faculty and staff.
• State and external programs: New York’s Math and Science Teaching Incentive, Senator José Peralta DREAM Act, and other state grants may reduce costs for eligible residents.

Career Outcomes and Salary Potential for Graduates

Earning a master's in education from Lehman College, one of the strongest master’s in education programs in New York, can lead to stable career growth in New York's robust education sector. The college's deep ties to the NYC Department of Education and surrounding districts mean graduates often step directly into classrooms and leadership roles where demand remains high.

Career Outcomes and Employer Connections

Lehman's School of Education reports a 94% employer satisfaction rate for its 2023-2024 graduates,¹ confirming that district leaders value the preparation candidates receive. The single most common employer is NYC Public Schools, but alumni also find roles in charter networks, suburban districts, and early childhood centers. Career Services supplements these pathways with resume reviews, job fairs, and alumni networking events designed to connect you to the region's largest hiring pipelines for jobs for masters in education. For many, the combination of hands-on student teaching experience and Lehman's reputation opens doors to immediate employment upon graduation.

Teaching Salaries and Long-Term Earnings

Lehman graduates who enter the classroom can expect salaries that reflect the demand for qualified educators. Nationally, the mean annual wage for special education teachers is $64,838, with experienced professionals earning above $104,000 over a career.² These figures highlight the long-term earning path available to Lehman alumni, particularly those who pursue additional certifications or move into special education and instructional coordinator roles, where a master of education salary can be significantly higher.

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Questions to Ask Yourself

Accreditation and Your Path to New York Teaching Certification

Two credentials shape an education degree: institutional accreditation verifies the college overall, while M.Ed. accreditation confirms that the educator preparation meets national standards. Understanding both gives you a clear picture of the value a graduate program offers and how it links directly to New York State teacher certification.

Two Credentials, One Goal: Institutional and Programmatic Accreditation

Lehman College holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)¹, a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This status, reaffirmed in 2019 with the next self-study due in 2027-2028³, signals that the college meets broad standards for faculty qualifications, student services, and fiscal stability. For aspiring teachers, institutional accreditation is necessary but not sufficient. The School of Education separately earned programmatic accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in 2021², a mark of quality that specifically evaluates how well teacher preparation programs align with state and national professional standards.

How Lehman’s Programs Meet New York’s Certification Requirements

New York State requires that candidates for initial teaching certification complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at the graduate level. Lehman’s M.Ed. degrees are registered with the New York State Education Department as approved pathways⁴, meaning they embed all required coursework, fieldwork, and student teaching experiences. When you enroll in a Lehman education program, you are automatically on a route that leads to teaching licensure, provided you complete the program and pass the mandated examinations.

Navigating the Exam Sequence: EAS, edTPA, and CSTs

The certification pathway includes three primary teacher certification exams. The Educating All Students (EAS) test measures your knowledge of diverse student populations and inclusive instruction. The edTPA is a performance-based portfolio that captures your planning, instruction, and assessment during student teaching. Finally, you must pass the Content Specialty Test (CST) in your certification area, such as Childhood Education or Teaching Students with Disabilities. Lehman faculty integrate preparation for these exams directly into coursework and offer workshops, tutoring, and feedback sessions on edTPA materials. Many programs also designate a faculty mentor to guide you through the edTPA submission process.

Fieldwork and Student Teaching Support

All Lehman M.Ed. pathways include practicum and student teaching placements in New York City public and charter schools. These experiences are supervised by experienced educators and aligned with the edTPA requirements so that your classroom work feeds directly into your portfolio. The college’s Office of Clinical Practice and Partnerships coordinates placements and ensures you meet the state’s minimum hours for student teaching, which typically total at least 70 days in two different grade levels for certain certifications.

Fingerprinting and Application Steps

After completing your degree and passing the exams, you must clear a fingerprinting background check through the New York State Education Department’s TEACH online system. Lehman’s certification office assists with navigating the TEACH account and submitting your application for initial certification, which is valid for five years and leads to professional certification after you complete additional teaching experience and professional development.

Certification Reciprocity and Out-of-State Licensure

If you plan to teach outside New York after graduation, Lehman’s CAEP accreditation can facilitate teacher license reciprocity through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which many states participate in. However, each state sets its own requirements, and you may need to pass additional exams or coursework. It is best to contact the licensing board in your intended state early. The School of Education’s certification officer can provide guidance on how your Lehman credentials transfer and what steps you need to take.

Lehman College’s Strengths and Reputation in Education

Lehman College’s reputation in education is built on a sustained commitment to access, equity, and classroom impact. As a senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system, Lehman has long served as a pipeline for educators in the Bronx and beyond. Its strengths lie not only in the quality of its programs but in the measurable outcomes it achieves for students who often face financial and systemic barriers.

Evidence of Student Support and Social Mobility

Lehman’s institutional data reveals a college that prioritizes lifting students up. With a student retention rate of 73%, the college keeps a strong majority of learners on track year after year. The graduation rate, influenced by the many part-time and working students it serves, still reflects the institution’s ability to guide candidates to completion. What truly sets Lehman apart is its Pell Grant share: 88.7% of students receive this need-based federal aid. This figure is among the highest in the region and underscores Lehman’s role as an engine of social mobility, particularly for aspiring teachers from underserved communities.

Faculty Expertise in High-Need Areas

Lehman’s School of Education is known for faculty who bring deep practical and research expertise to critical shortage fields. Professors in bilingual education are nationally recognized for their work with emergent multilingual learners, directly shaping New York State’s approaches to language acquisition. The special education faculty combines clinical experience with policy advocacy, preparing candidates to support students with a wide range of learning needs in inclusive settings. Urban leadership programs draw on faculty who are former superintendents and principals in the NYC public schools, giving candidates direct insight into managing and transforming complex school systems.

Deep Partnerships with New York City Schools

Lehman maintains active partnerships with hundreds of New York City public schools, community-based organizations, and early childhood centers. These relationships are not just placement sites, they are co-constructors of the curriculum. Teacher candidates benefit from intensive clinical experiences in the very schools where they will eventually work, often with mentors who are Lehman alumni. The college’s presence in the Bronx means that students engage with the realities of urban education from day one, building cultural competence and resilience.

Strong Career Outcomes for Graduates

For those asking “Is Lehman good for education?,” employment data provides a clear answer. While program-level earnings for specific master’s degrees are not yet available, institutional outcomes show that Lehman graduates earn a median salary of $58,013 ten years after entry. This figure reflects a strong return on investment, especially given the college’s low net price. More tangibly, the region’s schools are filled with Lehman-trained teachers, counselors, and leaders. The college’s alumni network in New York education is vast, and local hiring managers actively seek out Lehman graduates for their preparation and grounded approach.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lehman College Education Programs

Below are answers to common questions about Lehman College's education programs, covering accreditation, certification, costs, and more. Use this resource to clarify key details before exploring program options.

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