Program Info
Program Description
Designed for students seeking teacher certification with an early childhood ZS endorsement, this program focuses on teaching young children, birth through grade 3. Most students continue their studies at the university level; however, upon completion of the program students are eligible for work in various education and child care professions as para-professionals, assistant early childhood teachers, and as individual exceptional child assistants. Graduates wishing to pursue a bachelor's degree may transfer most, if not all, of the course work toward that degree.
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Apply current educational theories and practices to a classroom setting.
- Apply humanities concepts within the pre-kindergarten through middle school classroom.
- Apply knowledge of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development theories of the learner in a school setting.
- Apply knowledge of the exceptionalities, learning environments, and laws as they relate to special education programs.
- Develop lesson plans implementing educational software for grades P-8.
- Analyze elementary and middle school mathematics at the level necessary for teaching.
- Construct scientific knowledge using inquiry-based techniques.
- Follow appropriate health, physical education, nutrition, and safety practices for K-8 classrooms.
- Au Pair
- Assistance child care center teacher
- Assistant child care center coordinator
- Child development center support staff
- Home visitor in private homes
- Public school para-professionals
Admission Requirements
Individuals working in child development centers must provide evidence of a current physical exam, current TB test, and Department of Social Services (FIA) clearance.
General Education
See General Education Requirements for details.
Program Requirements
| Course name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CHD-201: Child Development: Introduction to Creative Child Care | 3.00 |
| CHD-202: Child Development CDA Portfolio/Assessment Preparation | 3.00 |
| EDU-201: Introduction to Education | 3.00 |
| EDU-202: Introduction to Education Practicum | 1.00 |
| HPE-260: Nutrition, Health, and Physical Education for the Classroom Teacher | 3.00 |
| PSY-256: Educational Psychology | 3.00 |
| MATH-121: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I | 3.00 |
| MATH-221: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II | 3.00 |
Computer Technology: Complete one* |
3.00 |
| 6.00 | |
Education Support: Complete one*: |
3.00 |
| 4.00 |
- *Computer Technology: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
- *Humanities: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
- *Education Support: Students electing to take POLS-131 instead of EDU-260 may complete any additional 100-level, or higher, credits to complete this degree instead of a Social Science course. Students who complete EDU-260 instead of POLS-131 must complete any one different discipline Social Science course.
- *Natural Science: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
| Course name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENG-131: Introduction to College Writing | 3.00 |
| ENG-132: College Writing and Research | 3.00 |
Mathematics: Complete one |
4.00 |
| PSY-131: Introductory Psychology | 3.00 |
| PSY-152: Child Psychology | 3.00 |
- *Mathematics: MATH-115 is highly recommended for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).