Bachelor of Arts, Teacher Certification Early Childhood Education Minor

The Early Childhood Education minor (ZA endorsement) program prepares Elementary teacher certification students for the specialty endorsement to work with children ages birth through age 8, grades K-3. You must apply separately for the Elementary Level Teacher Certification Program in the Education Department, and may elect to add the Early Childhood Education minor alongside your teaching major. The Early Childhood Education minor program has a specific set of required courses in addition to the teacher certification courses. Students in the Teacher Certification Program are required to maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA. Please see the Teacher Certification Program section of the catalog, the Teacher Certification Program Student Handbook, and an advisor in the Education Department for current information.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) minor is done in conjunction with the Teacher Certification Program, along with a major leading to Elementary Level teacher certification (Language Arts, Integrated Science, Math, or Social Studies). The successful graduate will qualify for the endorsement in Early Childhood Education being added to an Elementary Level (K-8) teaching certificate. This added endorsement recognizes the graduate as a specialist for Kindergarten and primary level teaching in elementary schools.

A. General Education Requirements

B. Required Major Courses - Certifiable Major
Student must complete a certifiable elementary major from the list in the Teacher Certification section of this catalog, and must fulfill all Teacher Certification Program requirements. Early Childhood Education minor coursework is listed below.

C. Required Courses for Early Childhood Education Minor
EDU 205        Children’s Literature
ECE 223        Young Child Guidance and Parent Advocacy
ECE 350        Play Theory and Aesthetics
ECE 333        Math/Science Methods for Early Childhood
ECE 375        Literacy Methods for Early Childhoo Education
ECE 433        Young Child Assessment
ECE 456        Language Development and Disorders
ECE 499        Student Teaching: Preschool

D. Early Childhood Electives
(Select minimum of one course)
ECE 326        Administration of Developmental Centers

                   -OR-
BIO 141         Nutrition through the Life Cycle

E. Required Elementary Level Professional Education Courses:***
EDU 203        The Teaching Profession
EDU 240        Developmental Psychology
EDU 241        Educational Psychology
EDU 275        Foundations of American Education
SED 250        Education of the Exceptional Learner
EDU 324        Principles of Classroom Management
EDU 330        Technology in the Classroom
EDU 344***    Methods for Teaching Elementary School Mathematics
EDU 348        Teaching Writing and Speaking in the Elementary and Secondary Classroom
EDU 354***    Methods for Teaching Elementary School Social Studies
EDU 364A***  Methods in Elementary Reading and Other Language Arts
EDU 364B***  Methods in Elementary Reading: Practicum
EDU 374***    Methods for Teaching Elementary School Science
EDU 499        Student Teaching
***Generally offered once per academic year

Students must also complete each field-based experience and practicum as required in Professional Education Courses. Additional courses and requirements for admission and completion may be required with changes in Divisional policies and/or State of Michigan certification rules.