Why UM-Flint is the Right Choice for Educators

You will learn from the region’s top experts in literacy education, early childhood education, science education, math education, special education, social studies education, and social and psychological foundations. Through active engagement in educational research and practical classroom experience, University of Michigan-Flint professors have the knowledge, skill, and experience to prepare highly qualified education professionals for successful careers.

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Education Programs at UM-Flint

Early Childhood Education

UM-Flint offers two Bachelor of Science degrees for early childhood educators. The Early Childhood Teacher Certification program prepares students pursuing careers in school settings where certification may be required. The Early Childhood Studies program provides preparation for careers that involve working with young children, families, and graduate study in related fields, such as psychology, social work, education, medical professions, health sciences, business, economics, or social policy, among others.

Students will develop a specific understanding of early childhood professional ethics and practice to support children’s development and learning, particularly creativity, reflection, critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional and social development. In addition, graduates will be eligible to earn their teaching license in early childhood education from the Michigan Department of Education. 

Students in the program working in qualified preschool education programs are eligible to apply for the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children’s T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship to support their education.

Review the Early Childhood Teacher Certification curriculum and course list.
Review the Early Childhood Studies curriculum and course list.


Elementary Education

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education emphasizes human development and its importance in teaching young children. Students learn about teaching literacy, mathematics, social studies, and science using inclusive teaching practices. In addition, the degree includes the study of early childhood education, special education, and social and psychological foundations taught by the region’s leading experts in these fields. As part of the curriculum, students spend over 600 hours working in pre-kindergarten to 6th-grade classrooms, giving them invaluable hands-on experience before stepping into a classroom.

Review the Elementary Education curriculum and course list


Secondary Teacher Education Certification

UM-Flint offers Secondary Teacher Certification Programs in several content areas, including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Integrated Science. We also offer a Master of Arts with Certification, a clinically based program for people with previous degrees who want to become teachers.

The Secondary TCP undergraduate programs include a phased professional coursework sequence. Each phase ensures that teacher candidates have continual exposure to exceptionalities and diversity tied to development, learning, engagement, and technology. Students spend over 600 hours working in middle and high school classrooms as part of the curriculum, providing invaluable hands-on experience before stepping into their classroom.

Review the English Teacher’s Certificate Program
Review the Mathematics Teacher’s Certificate Program
Review the Social Studies Teacher’s Certificate Program
Review the Integrated Science Teacher’s Certificate Program

Review the Master of Arts with Certification


Special Education Teacher’s Certificate Program

This Bachelor of Science is designed to prepare future special education teachers, who may select from up to three endorsements: autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, or emotional impairment. The program can lead to a qualification for Michigan teacher certification or a degree in education without certification. Learn the important role that special educators play in supporting students with or at risk for disabilities and explore universal design for learning, multi-tiered systems of support, and services for students.

Review the Special Education Teacher’s Certificate Program


K-12 Teacher Education Certification

UM-Flint offers K-12 Certification Programs in several content areas, including Music Education and Visual Arts. We also offer a Master of Arts with Certification, a clinically based program for people with previous degrees who want to become teachers.

The K-12 TCP undergraduate programs include coursework to prepare students to become the teachers of tomorrow. The coursework is structured into phases, each ensuring that students have continual exposure to diverse teaching and learning needs. Coursework is tied to development, learning, engagement, and technology specifically. Students spend over 600 hours working in local schools’ classrooms as part of the curriculum, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience before graduation.

Review the Visual Arts Teacher’s Certificate Program
Review the Music Education Teacher’s Certificate Program


Educational Leadership Pathway

The Educational Leadership Pathway provides a clear and practical route for educators to advance in their careers by connecting three graduate programs at the University of Michigan-Flint. Packaging these programs together allows individuals to set themselves on a path from classroom practitioner to principal to central office administrator while building deep professional relationships with faculty, professionals, and peers.

Each of these programs operates independently but is all offered in an online format. Students learn through a unique blend of online asynchronous coursework with monthly synchronous sessions held one Saturday a month. Courses are taught by a combination of accomplished tenure track faculty and lecturers who have previously worked as K-12 principals and superintendents.

Each of the three programs has its own admission process, allowing for entry at any point along the pathway as long as the requirements are met.

Review the Educational Administration: MA
Review the Education Specialist: EdS
Review the Education: EdD


Minors


Certificate

UM-Flint Reading Center where a teacher reads to students

Reading Center

The University of Michigan-Flint Reading Center and Writing Camp, also known as the Summer Literacy Camp, provides a unique opportunity for K-12 students to receive instructional support in reading and writing from university graduate and undergraduate students studying literacy assessment.

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