University of Michigan-Flint

Your passion for education and your passion for children are inseparable. To care deeply about one is to care deeply about the other, for you have taken to heart the critical truth about the nature of a child’s formative years as they relate to social, intellectual, and emotional development. The Early Childhood Education program was designed for you.

Focus and Flexibility:

• UM-Flint’s Early Childhood Education program, a concentration of the Master of Arts (MA) in Education, is developed for individuals who have or are seeking careers as teachers of young children, birth through eight years of age.
• The program offers three tracks:

Masters of Arts in Education – For early childhood education professionals who seek graduate study in their field, or for those seeking a career in early childhood education (including individuals with extensive backgrounds in child development who do not hold an elementary teaching certificate). This two year, part-time program requires 33-36 credit hours.

Master of Arts in Education with ZA Endorsement – Designed for certified teachers who seek graduate education in early childhood education and the ZA endorsement. This two year, part-time program requires 33-36 credit hours including 6 credits of field experience.

Early Childhood (ZA) Endorsement – Appropriate for those holding an elementary certificate who desire the ZA endorsement. Requires 21 credit hours, including 6 credits of field experience.

• Thesis and non-thesis options are available for the MA degree.
• Classes are held on UM-Flint’s campus, primarily in the evenings.

Resources:

• UM-Flint Early Childhood Education students have access to the Early Childhood Education Center on campus, which provides opportunities to collaborate, hone skills, and conduct research.
• Like all University of Michigan faculty, UM-Flint’s Early Childhood Education instructors are true “leaders and best” – experienced, tested, and respected experts in their field.
• As part of the world renowned University of Michigan system, UM-Flint can tap additional resources, expertise, and contacts at our sister campuses in Dearborn and Ann Arbor to assist our students, their research, and other initiatives.

Results:

• UM-Flint’s Early Childhood Education program with ZA Endorsement prepares you to add the Early Childhood Education (ZA) endorsement to your Michigan teaching certificate.
• Students who earn their Early Childhood Education (MA) degree from UM-Flint develop extensive knowledge and real-world experience in their field as they prepare for careers working with young children.

In addition to the Early Childhood Education program, the University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Education and Human Services offers the Master of Arts degree with concentrations in:

• Literacy Education – with endorsement in Reading Specialist (BR)
• Special Education – with endorsements in Learning Disabilities (SM) and Cognitive Impairments (SA)
• Technology in Education – Traditional and Global Programs – with or without endorsement (ND)

It is possible for candidates without a teaching certificate to enroll in the Early Childhood or the Technology in Education concentrations.