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Certificate Program in Early Childhood Special Education

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Program Overview

This program is offered online, hybrid and in-person.

This Certificate is designed to provide both face to face and online options for Â鶹´«Ã½s working to obtain their State of Michigan ZS endorsement (Early Childhood Special Education). 

Students working toward the state ZS endorsement must meet three requirements:

• Completion of a total of 27 graduate credits, 15 credits (5 classes) of which must be early childhood courses.
• Professional experience at two of three early childhood levels (infants/toddler, preschool, kindergarten-grade 3).
• Passing grade on the state-level examination.
• In addition to the 15 required early childhood credits, Â鶹´«Ã½s may transfer in 12 credits of existing graduate coursework OR may elect to take additional graduate coursework toward a Master of Arts in Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies concentration in Early Childhood Education.

Why this program at Â鶹´«Ã½

• Leads to State of Michigan ZS endorsement .
• Only early childhood program in Michigan that offers hybrid/online options.
• Our hybrid formats have been successful in assisting graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s living throughout the state of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula, to complete coursework necessary for the ZS endorsement.
• Courses offered in a consistent rotation, allowing Â鶹´«Ã½s to compete required classes within a 12-month period.
• Students are encouraged to pursue additional educational Â鶹´«Ã½ through one of our many excellent study abroad programs, such as Education and Human Development in India.
• We are the only institution in the U.S. that includes an optional co-curricular designation known as the WMU Signature. Pathways include: Teaching & Student Success, Leadership, Health & Wellbeing, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice, and more! 

Who should apply

Teachers that hold a bachelor's degree and valid teaching license that wish to obtain their State of Michigan ZS endorsement (Early Childhood Special Education)

Career Â鶹´«Ã½

The Early Childhood Special Education program prepares you for jobs in:

• Public schools
• Private schools
• Preschools

Courses required to complete the Certificate (minimum of 15 credits):

• ED 5750 — Administration of Child Development Centers Credits: 3 hours
  Presentation of trends in childcare regulations and/or requirements, and knowledge of administrative materials and duties in providing optimum growth for young children. Includes management, planning, and organizing child development centers.
• ED 6060 — Early Childhood Education Methods and Materials Credits: 3 hours
  Focuses on developing an understanding of how children learn and how these principles relate to curriculum development and teaching practices. Current topics related to educating young children, including special needs learners, and relevant impacts on professional practice are also presented. The importance of play as a medium for learning will be emphasized throughout the course.
• ED 6080 — Seminar in Early Childhood Development Credits: 3 hours
  This course is designed to provide in-depth exploration of particular facets of development in young children. This course provides Â鶹´«Ã½s with Â鶹´«Ã½ to enhance knowledge of multiple theoretical approaches and to examine early childhood education from a historical perspective. Students will research and study current areas of emphasis in early childhood education and will focus on strategies for applying new knowledge in their own professional work.
• ED 6140 — Parent Education for Teachers of Young Children Credits: 3 hours
  Focuses on theoretical and practical aspects of strategies for working with parents and other caregivers. Enhanced knowledge of many challenges commonly facing today’s families will enable professionals to work more effectively with family members to meet Â鶹´«Ã½s’ diverse needs. Formal and informal interactions with family members, as well as relevant applications to daily work with Â鶹´«Ã½s and their families, will be emphasized.
• ED 6110 — Assessment in Early Childhood Inclusive Education Credits: 3 hours
  This course presents pertinent theories of development and familiarizes Â鶹´«Ã½s with techniques for observing young children both individually and in groups. Varied informal and formal assessment techniques will be presented and assignments will focus on assisting Â鶹´«Ã½s to prioritize approaches for use in their work with young children. Strategies related to assessing and guiding learners with special needs between the ages of birth to five years will be emphasized.

Elective Courses (3 hours)

• ED 7120—Professional Field Experience Credits: 3 hours

Cost & Funding

• Tuition and fees
• Cost of attendance
• Scholarships
• Assistantships
• Grants
• Loans
• Employer-paid tuition
• Â鶹´«Ã½ and veterans

Helpful links

• College of Education and Human Development
• Academic Advising
• International Admissions and Services
• Office of Admissions OR Graduate College
• Office of Â鶹´«Ã½ and Veterans Affairs
• Visit Campus

Faculty

For more information, please contact Dr. Andrea Smith.