Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education program at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a large and vibrant program at the undergraduate and graduate level with varying degrees and majors for both certification and non-certification, and for those interested in adding an endorsement. There is great interest and need at both the federal and state level in Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs serving our youngest learners, but especially for children at-risk of future school success.

The Early Childhood Program offer degrees and majors in the following areas:

• Elementary-Early Childhood Teaching and Learning [BS] (with certification)
• Children and Families [BS] (without certification)
• Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education [MA]

Whether a student chooses the certification or non-certification path, those who graduate from the Early Childhood program at Eastern Michigan University have multiple job opportunities as a lead teacher in federally funded Head Start Programs, State of Michigan Great Start Readiness Programs, Community-Based Child Care Programs, Charter Schools, and Private schools as well as Early On (early intervention). Students can also serve as a program administrator or work in an agency that advocates on behalf of children and families. Students seeking a teaching career in public school settings must choose the certification path.

Undergraduate Level

The undergraduate Early Childhood program has two majors: 

• Elementary-Early Childhood Teaching and Learning [BS] with certification
• Children and Families [BS] without certification

The most concentrated Early Childhood major a student can choose is the Elementary-Early Childhood Teaching and Learning Option 1- Early Childhood Comprehensive [BS] with certification. This degree leads to teacher certification in the state of Michigan for Birth-Kindergarten General and Special Education (ZN) as well as Pre-kindergarten-3rd Grade (ZO). Graduates in this major can work or teach in the following settings.

• Public school general education settings:Pre-kindergarten- 3rd grade
• Public school special education settings: Pre-kindergarten- Kindergarten
• Infant and toddler settings: Birth- Kindergarten
• Community-based and Private school settings: Birth- 3rd Grade.
• Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education settings

The second Early Childhood major is Children and Families [BS] without certification. Graduates in this degree program can be a lead teacher in federally funded Head Start Programs, State of Michigan Great Start Readiness Programs, Community-Based Child Care Programs, or any other private or public programs serving children from Birth – age five as well as Early On (early intervention). Students can also serve as a program administrator or work in an agency that advocates on behalf of children and families. 

Eastern Michigan University's ECE program also has articulation agreements with local community colleges for ease in transferring to EMU for those students interested in Early Childhood Education.

Graduate Level

Within our fully online graduate program, students can earn the 30 credit Master's of Arts in Early Childhood Education (which includes the (ZS) endorsement) or can choose to just earn the General and Special Education (ZS) Endorsement. This endorsement prepares those teaching in an inclusive ECE, Early Childhood Special Education classroom in public and private schools and agency settings. For students who already have the no longer issued, but still valid, (ZA) endorsement, the (ZS) endorsement can be added after taking just 3 classes (ECE 616, ECE 651, ECE 689) and passing the state Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC) of exam.

Aligned to National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards, Council of Exceptional Children Division of Early Childhood  Education (CEC-DEC) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE) standards, the M.A. in Early Childhood Education at EMU provides an in-depth understanding of best practices in pedagogy and developing and implementing socially and culturally appropriate curriculum for young children. Using the theory to practice framework, in each course students contextualize relevant content to authentic experiences in the field. 

Coming soon! MDE’s new B-K General Education and Special Education (ZN) is a stand alone teaching certificate and an endorsement, depending on your current certification. For more information on this brand new grade band, please visit the MDE website. 

• Resources Expand dropdown

  The Early Childhood Lending Library

  The Early Childhood Lending Library provides pre-service teachers at EMU with a variety of play and learning materials they can use during their various field placements at EMU. For more information, visit The Early Childhood Lending Library website.

  The Gail E. Johnston Early Childhood Classroom and Resource Library

  The Gail E. Johnston Early Childhood Classroom and Resource Library, located in 223 Porter Building, contains state-of-the art technology and materials to prepare future and current early childhood teachers and leaders. As early childhood educators teach in this environment using centralized controls for audiovisual and computer equipment, they serve as models for their students, encouraging appropriate use of technology with young children.

  The Margo Dichtelmiller Early Childhood Classroom

  The Margo Dichtelmiller Early Childhood Classroom, located in 224 Porter Building, provides and up-to-date setting designed for adult learners in the Early Childhood Education program.

  The Children's Institute at Eastern Michigan University

  The Children's Institute at Eastern Michigan University, located in the Fletcher Building, provides high-quality early childhood education programs for the children of EMU students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities. The institute also participates in the preparation of EMU students to be early childhood education teachers. For more information, visit The Children's Institute website.

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