University of Michigan - Flint

This program is developed for individuals who hold elementary teaching certification and have or are seeking careers as teachers of young children, birth through eight years of age. Individuals with backgrounds in child development who do not hold teaching certificates may also be considered for enrollment in the program. It offers the option of earning the master’s degree, or endorsement only. Upon successful completion of the Master’s or endorsement only program and the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education, graduates with teaching certificates from the State of Michigan will be eligible for a certificate endorsement in early childhood education (ZA). Individuals who wish to pursue a research career, coordinative/administrative position and/or doctoral degree in education are encouraged to select the thesis option.

36 credit hours as outlined below:

A. Core Education Courses (6 credits)
    EDE 500: Contemporary Issues in Learning and Teaching
    -or-
    EDE 601: Contemporary Issues in Educational Policy in a Pluralistic Society
    EDE 670: Research Seminar

B. Early Childhood Education Strand (18 credits)

1. Required Courses, (12 credits)
   ECE 500: Current Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education
   ECE 522: Understanding and Working with Parents of Young Children
   ECE 541: Developmental Assessment of Young Children’s Literature
   ECE 645: Advanced Study of Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum
   
2. Elective Courses (6 credits)
   ECE 520: Early Childhood Special Education
   ECE 649: Administration, Organization, and Operation of Early Childhood Programs
   ECE 660: Advanced Supervised Field Experience in Infant-Toddler Settings
   ECE 661: Advanced Supervised Field Experience in Pre-Primary Settings
   ECE 662: Advanced Supervised Field Experience in Primary Settings
   EDE 545: Instructional Issues in Multicultural Education
   EDE 580: Independent Study in Education
   EDN 510: Disability and Classroom Teaching
   EDR 520: Reading and Writing Development of Young Children
   EDR 532: Multicultural Children’s Literature
   EDR 530: Children’s Literature
   EDR 535: Folklore and Storytelling
   EDR 645: Literacy Instruction for Students Identified with Special Needs

C. Cognate Courses (6 credits)
    LIN 520: Linguistics for Teachers
    LIN 521: Language Acquisition
    PSY 500: Growth and Development in Young Children

D. Thesis/Non-thesis Option (3-6 credits)

1. Non-thesis option (6 credits)
   Credits can be selected from any courses listed under A above, B2 above, and/or EDE 520:
   Beginning Teacher Seminar
   
2. Thesis Option (3 credits)
   EDE 698: Masters Project/Thesis
   (prerequisite: completion of at least 24 credit hours)

21 credit hours as outlined below:

A. Required Courses, (18 credits) From:
    ECE 500, 522, 541, 645 (section B1 above)
    ECE 660, 661, or 662 (titles in section B2 above)

B. Electives* (3 credits) From:
    ECE 520: Early Childhood Special Education
    ECE 649: Administration, Organization, and Operation of Early Childhood Programs
    EDE 545: Instructional Issues in Multicultural Education
    EDN 510: Disability and Classroom Teaching
    EDR 520: Reading and Writing Development of Young Children
    EDR 530: Children’s Literature
    EDR 532: Multicultural Children’s Literature
    EDR 535: Folklore and Storytelling
    EDR 645: Literacy Instruction for Students Identified with Special Needs
    LIN 520: Linguistics for Teachers
    LIN 521: Language Acquisition

*Note:  ECE 520, Early Childhood Special Education, is the required elective for secondary special education certificate holders who wish to add the ZA endorsement to their certificates.