Master of Arts in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership

Shape the future of early childhood education with CUNY SPS's online MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership. This fully online, asynchronous program prepares you to lead organizations, influence policy at every level of government, and champion equity in early learningβ€”all while balancing your career and personal commitments. Join one of the few graduate programs in the U.S. specifically designed to transform early childhood professionals into the leaders, advocates, and decision-makers who shape systems that impact young children and families.

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Overview

The online MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership at CUNY SPS is designed for current and aspiring early childhood professionals who want to shape the systems, programs, and policies that impact young children and families. This program prepares graduates to become leaders, advocates, and decision-makers in the growing field of early childhood education policy and administration.

As one of the few graduate programs in the U.S. focused specifically on early childhood policy and leadership, this master’s degree equips professionals with the knowledge, skills, and experience to:

Lead early childhood organizations and systems
Influence policy development at the local, state, and federal level
Advance equity and inclusion in early learning
Drive program quality and family engagement

This 30-credit program is offered fully online in an asynchronous format, allowing working professionals to balance career, life, and graduate study. Students engage with peers and faculty through dynamic discussions, applied projects, and community-based learning opportunities.

Students choose between the following two tracks:

Early Childhood Public Administration: For students interested in obtaining an interdisciplinary perspective to early childhood policy and leadership
Children’s Program Administrator Credential: For students interested in obtaining NYAEYC’s (NY Association for the Education of Young Children) CPAC Credential

Questions about the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership?

Learn more about the program at the CUNY School of Professional Studies:

E.J. Jun

E.J. Jun

Director of Higher Education Initiatives

English

E.J. Jun

E.J. Jun

Director of Higher Education Initiatives

Day Hours Notes
Monday
9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday
9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday
9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday
9 AM - 5 PM
Friday
9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday -
Sunday -
Please read before scheduling:
  • Rescheduling, cancellations and missed appointments: If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please do so by going into your calendar and following the links to either cancel or reschedule. If you miss three appointments without giving your advisor prior notice, you'll no longer have access to the Acuity scheduling system. You'll need to request an appointment by emailing your advisor, who will determine availability based on their schedule.
  • Please do not book more than one time slot for your appointment, which limits availability for other clients. "Holding" multiple time slots may result in your appointment being canceled or your email being blocked from the Acuity Scheduling system.
Por favor lea antes de programar:
  • ReprogramaciΓ³n, cancelaciones y citas perdidas: Si necesita reprogramar o cancelar su cita, hΓ‘galo ingresando a su calendario y siguiendo los enlaces para cancelar o reprogramar. Si falta a tres citas sin avisar previamente a su asesor, ya no tendrΓ‘ acceso al sistema de programaciΓ³n Acuity. DeberΓ‘ solicitar una cita enviando un correo electrΓ³nico a su asesor, quien determinarΓ‘ la disponibilidad segΓΊn su horario.
  • Por favor no reserve mΓ‘s de un horario para su cita, ya que limita la disponibilidad para otros clientes. "Reservar" mΓΊltiples horarios puede resultar en la cancelaciΓ³n de su cita o el bloqueo de su correo electrΓ³nico en el sistema de programaciΓ³n Acuity.

Earn a MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership at the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As one of the few graduate programs in the U.S. focused specifically on early childhood policy and leadership, this master’s degree equips professionals with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need.

Program highlights

100% online MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership
Two graduate certificates embedded in the degree (Early Childhood Policy and CPAC)
Designed for professionals working in early childhood education, policy, or advocacy
Taught by leading scholars and practitioners in early childhood and public policy
Opportunities to connect learning to real-world challenges in NYS, NYC, and beyond
Can be completed in 2 years (part-time option available)
If you hold an β€œInitial” Teacher Certification, the master's degree can be used to meet the graduate-level coursework requirement to attain β€œProfessional” Certification

18 credits of the program are approved for the NYSAEYC CPAC Credential.

What you'll learn

Students explore topics such as:

Early childhood systems and governance
Policy development and implementation
Budgeting and resource management
Leadership in diverse communities
Research, data, and evaluation methods

Graduates are prepared to influence the future of early childhood care and education, whether in government, nonprofit, or educational settings.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the MA in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership are qualified for a range of roles, including:

Policy analyst or advisor
Education or childcare advocate
Government or nonprofit program manager
Director of early childhood initiatives

This master’s program supports pathways to leadership in early childhood education and advocacy for young children and families.

Who should apply

This program is ideal for:

Early childhood educators, administrators, and site leaders
Advocates working in policy, social services, or public health
Professionals from community-based organizations and city agencies
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree who want to lead change in the early childhood sector

Applicants should have experience in early childhood education or related fields.

Admission criteria

Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants are required to write a personal statement, upload a resume, and provide one letter of recommendation. Letter of recommendation may be submitted before or after submitting an application. Please note that an individual interview may be necessary. Background in early childhood education is an advantage, but not required.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2026 Priority Deadline: November 6, 2025
Spring 2026 Regular Deadline: December 4, 2025

Information sessions

CUNY SPS MA Info Session in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership

We will also discuss the CPAC Advanced Certificate and Early Childhood Policy Advanced Certificate that can be embedded in the Master’s degree.
2 session(s) upcoming

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