Overview
The University of Michigan-Dearborn offers several early childhood programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. At the undergraduate level there are two programs: The Early Childhood with Elementary Certification and The Children and Families. At the graduate level there are four programs: The Post-Degree Certification Only Early Childhood Program, The Early Childhood Endorsement Program with a Masters of Arts Degree, The Post-Degree Enhancement Program and the Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion Programs.
Philosophy of UM-D Early Childhood Programs
The early childhood programs are guided by the philosophy, objectives and standards promulgated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as well as those positions taken by the National Association of Early Childhood Educators (NAECTE) and the Standards of Quality for Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grades and other State Department of Education Guidelines. The program aims to not only meet these guidelines but often to exceed them.
The basic approach of the curriculum design for the ECE program is based on the view, consistent with NAEYC and the State Department of Education, that programs for young children must be developmentally appropriate taking into account the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children while respecting the needs of families with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. The ECE program is designed to provide graduates with a strong background in child development, family and societal studies, and the pedagogical knowledge and skills, which will enable them to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum, that is consistent with the most current thinking in early childhood education.
An essential component of the ECE program is field experience at the UM-D Child Development Center (CDC), the NAEYC accredited on campus education and childcare center for children ages one year through kindergarten. The UM-D teacher education program and the CDC share the same philosophy and goals, that is, the preparation of high quality teachers and high quality educational experiences for young children. Both programs share a constructivist education philosophy based on the legacy of Piaget, Dewey, and Vygotsky. This constructivist philosophy of the ECE program is consistent with the School of Education’s “Teaching for Understanding” model. In addition, the CDC and the teacher preparation program are nationally recognized for implementing the principles of the Reggio Emilia program, an innovative approach to the education of young children.
Early Childhood with Elementary Certification
The Early Childhood Education with Elementary Certification Program is designed for those intending to work with children, birth through eight years of age. Within the basic elementary education curriculum, students meet State requirements for a Michigan Provisional Elementary Teacher’s Certificate (K-5 grades) and the Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA), a special competency in the area of early childhood. This program prepares individuals for careers in childcare centers teaching young children infancy through preschool, in elementary schools teaching grades K-5, and in other work sites serving young children and families. The program includes a concentrated study of the young child in infant/toddler, preschool, and early school contexts with extensive opportunities for field experiences in a variety of settings.
To view the requirements of the Early Childhood Education Program for undergraduates, please click on the link below (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
Early Childhood with Elementary Certification Major Requirements
Children and Families Program
The Children and Families Program is a four-year degree early childhood program without elementary teaching certification, designed for students who wish to pursue careers in childcare centers and Head Start centers, as teachers or administrators or in other sites or agencies working with children and their families. The Children and Families Program is a Bachelor of General Studies Degree (BGS).
The 2 + 2 Children and Families BGS Program is designed to combine selected two-year community college associate degree programs with two years of advanced coursework at The University of Michigan-Dearborn. The associate degrees eligible for this program are covered by articulation agreements between the community college and the University of Michigan-Dearborn, School of Education, or are accepted with permission of the Children and Families Program Advisor.
To view the requirements of the Early Childhood Education Children and Families Program, please click on the links below (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
Children and Families B.G.S. Requirements
Children and Families Schoolcraft Articulation Agreement – Child Care Associate
Children and Families Schoolcraft Articulation Agreement – Family Support Associate
POST DEGREE PROGRAMS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
Certification Only Program Elementary (COE) - Early Childhood Major
The Certification Only Program Elementary (COE) is designed for those students holding a degree from an accredited institution and wishing to earn a Michigan Elementary Provisional Certificate (K-5 grades) with a specialization in early childhood (birth through age 8). Coursework will vary depending upon prior undergraduate work. Students must meet all of the requirements for the COE program as well as the specific early childhood major requirements
Early Childhood Endorsement M.A. Program
Post-degree students with a Michigan Elementary Teacher Certification wishing to gain competency in the education of young children birth to eight and qualify for a Michigan Early Childhood Endorsement may attain this specialization within the Master of Arts in Education Program. At the graduate level, the early childhood endorsement program is a 25-hour minimum concentration. Course requirements for students will vary according to the individual undergraduate coursework of the student. This program requires fieldwork (EDD 594 Internship) at an assigned site, usually the UM-D Child Development Center. Fieldwork may be elected during the Summer semester. Upon the student’s successful completion of the prescribed Early Childhood sequence and a passing score on the MTTC Early Childhood Endorsement test, the School of Education will recommend to the State of Michigan that the student is qualified to receive an Early Childhood Endorsement added to their elementary certificate.
Inquiries for additional information and program guides can be directed to the School of Education Graduate Records Office. For applications for admission, contact the School of Education Graduate Records Office, 313-593-5091.
To view the requirements of the Early Childhood Endorsement M.A. Program, please click on the link below (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
Early Childhood Endorsement M.A. Program Requirements
Post Degree Enhancement Program
The Post Degree Enhancement Program is designed for persons with a elementary teaching certificate who wish to enhance their certificate with the Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA). This program will provide the student with additional preparation in the teaching of young children (birth through age 8). This program is ideal for the teacher who wants to add the early childhood credential but is not interested in pursuing a graduate degree.
To view the requirements of the Post Degree Early Childhood Enhancement Program, please click on the link below (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
Post Degree Early Childhood Enhancement Program Requirements
Post Degree Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion Programs
The Post Degree Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion Programs are specifically designed for those students at the graduate level who wish to gain further specialization in the inclusion of young children with special needs within the regular classroom. Students entering the program must hold an elementary certificate with either an Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA) or a Special Education Endorsement. Course requirements for students will vary according to the individual undergraduate coursework of the student. This program requires fieldwork at an assigned site and may be elected during the Summer semester.
Students who hold an elementary certificate with an Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA) prior to entry and wish to obtain a Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion UM-D certificate and a Masters of Arts in Education Degree, please view the requirements listed below (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
M.A. in Education Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion UM-D Certificate for those who possess an Early Childhood Endorsement.
Students who hold an elementary certificate with a Special Education Endorsement prior to entry and wish to obtain a Master of Arts in Education Degree, an Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA) and an Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion UM-D certificate, please view the requirements listed below (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
M.A. in Education Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion Certificate for those who possess a Special Education Endorsement
Students who hold an elementary certificate and wish to gain further expertise in early childhood special education inclusion but do not wish to obtain a Master of Arts in Education Degree, please view the requirements listed below (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view):
Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion UM-D Certificate
