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The Master of Arts with Early Childhood General and Special Education (ZS) Endorsement program is designed for early childhood educators and administrators working in a variety of settings including childcare, private and public preschools, and home-based programs. Educators wishing to increase their knowledge base and professional skills, including teachers with elementary school certification wishing to add the ZS endorsement, are also ideal candidates for this program.

**The current program is being phased out and is no longer accepting new applications. For more information visit the new M.A. program webpage.

Who should apply?

• Early care providers who teach in private programs and would like to increase their knowledge base and professional skills with a M.A. degree to become an administrator.
• Elementary education certified teachers who would like to earn the ZS (Early Childhood General and Special Education) endorsement along with a M.A. degree.

State ZS endorsement requirements

1. Completion of a total of 27 graduate credits, 15 credits (5 classes) of which must be early childhood courses.
2. Professional experience at two of three early childhood levels (infants/toddler, preschool, kindergarten-grade 3).
3. Passing grade on the state-level examination.

Current Â鶹´«Ã½s

Current Â鶹´«Ã½s will be able to receive required coursework in time to finish their programs by December 2026. See below for courses:

• Fall 2024:  ED 6060
• Spring 2025: ED 6080 and ED 5750
• Summer 1 2025: ED 6110
• Summer 2 2025: ED 6140
• Fall 2025: ES 6340 (and ED 6060, if not taken in Fall 2024)
• Spring 2026: ES 6330 (and ED 5750, if not taken in Spring 2025)
• Summer 1 2026: ED 6010 or EMR 6400
• Summer 2 2026: ED 6790
• Fall 2026: LS 5160 or elective class