Graduate Certificate program in Early Childhood Education and Teaching at Western Michigan University

Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be granted a Conditional Admission.

A 250 word statement of purpose indicating why they've chosen this program and what they hope to accomplish.

Early Childhood Education and Teaching is offered online, hybrid and in-person.

This Certificate is designed to provide both face to face and online options for students working to obtain their State of Michigan ZS endorsement (Early Childhood Special Education).

Completion of a total of 27 graduate credits, 15 credits (5 classes) of which must be early childhood courses.

Professional experience at two of three early childhood levels (infants toddler, preschool, kindergarten-grade 3).

In addition to the 15 required early childhood credits, students may transfer in 12 credits of existing graduate coursework OR may elect to take additional graduate coursework toward a Master of Arts in Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies concentration in Early Childhood Education.

Only early childhood program in Michigan that offers hybrid online options.

Our hybrid formats have been successful in assisting graduate students living throughout the state of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula, to complete coursework necessary for the ZS endorsement.

Courses offered in a consistent rotation, allowing students to compete required classes within a 12-month period.

Students are encouraged to pursue additional educational opportunities through one of our many excellent study abroad programs, such as Education and Human Development in India.

We are the only institution in the U.S. that includes an optional co-curricular designation known as the WMU Signature. Pathways include: Teaching Student Success, Leadership, Health Wellbeing, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity Justice, and !

Teachers that hold a bachelor degree and valid teaching license that wish to obtain their State of Michigan ZS endorsement (Early Childhood Special Education).

The Early Childhood Special Education program prepares you for jobs in:.

Courses required to complete the Certificate (minimum of 15 credits):.

Early Childhood Education Methods and Materials Credits: 3 hours Focuses on developing an understanding of how children learn and how these principles relate to curriculum development and teaching practices. Current topics related to educating young children, including special needs learners, and relevant impacts on professional practice are also presented. The importance of play as a medium for learning will be emphasized throughout the course.

Seminar in Early Childhood Development Credits: 3 hours This course is designed to provide in-depth exploration of particular facets of development in young children. This course provides students with opportunities to enhance knowledge of multiple theoretical approaches and to examine early childhood education from a historical perspective. Students will research and study current areas of emphasis in early childhood education and will focus on strategies for applying new knowledge in their own professional work.

Parent Education for Teachers of Young Children Credits: 3 hours Focuses on theoretical and practical aspects of strategies for working with parents and other caregivers. diverse needs. Formal and informal interactions with family members, as well as relevant applications to daily work with students and their families, will be emphasized.

Assessment in Early Childhood Inclusive Education Credits: 3 hours This course presents pertinent theories of development and familiarizes students with techniques for observing young children both individually and in groups. Varied informal and formal assessment techniques will be presented and assignments will focus on assisting students to prioritize approaches for use in their work with young children. Strategies related to assessing and guiding learners with special needs between the ages of birth to five years will be emphasized.