Program Info
Program Description
Designed for students seeking teacher certification with an early childhood ZS endorsement, this program focuses on teaching young children, pre-school through grade 3. Most students continue their studies at the university level; however, upon completion of the program students are eligible for work in the 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 P-8 classrooms.
- Au Pair
- Assistant child pre-school teacher
- Assistant pre-school coordinator
- Child development center support staff
- In home educational assistant
- Public school para-professional
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 |
| EDU-256: Educational Psychology | 3.00 |
| EDU-295: Exceptional Children in Early Childhood | 3.00 |
| MATH-121: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I | 3.00 |
| MATH-221: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II | 3.00 |
| CIS-221: Instructional Technology for Educators (Pre K-12) | 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).