Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
Early Childhood Education
About Our Master's Program
The Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in Early Childhood Education consists of 36 credit hours and is an ideal degree program for classroom teachers who need a planned program for earning a professional teaching certificate. In addition, those who enroll in this program will have the potential to build confidence in teaching, gain new ideas for current best practices of teaching, develop skills for reaching all students, and network with other educators for sharing ideas. This program is supported by highly qualified faculty, both university based and adjunct, providing an excellent combination of theoretical and practical application.
Associated Endorsement
Built within the master's degree program are the requirements for the Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA). This endorsement prepares elementary teachers for teaching children ages birth to age eight. The endorsement is increasingly becoming a requirement for employment in private and public school districts for Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. Teachers of state-funded four-year-old readiness programs in public schools must have a ZA endorsement. The coursework requirements include 5 core courses (15 credits) and 2 early childhood electives (6 credits).
Courses are offered on campus and at our Regional Education Centers in Macomb and Oakland County. Certification advisors are available in the College of Education Admissions and Certification Office on campus and the Macomb and Oakland Regional Education Centers to answer your questions about the master's and endorsement programs prior to admission. Upon admissions, you will work directly with a faculty advisor through the completion of your program.
Quick Facts
- Our graduate degree and endorsement program provide a quality graduate education program that meets or, in most cases, exceeds accreditation guidelines for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- An average of 93% of our graduate students seeking the ZA Endorsement pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification on their first try.
- Courses are offered in the evening in a variety of settings; on-line, hybrid, in classroom meetings where graduate students can collaborate in -person with their fellow colleagues, and in week-end formats.
How to Get Started
Students must apply and be accepted to the master's program to be eligible to enroll in the courses required for this degree and endorsement program. The SVSU College of Education Graduate and Teacher Education Admissions Office, located in the Regional Education Center on the main campus, accepts application packets for our graduate, endorsement, and non-degree programs in education for each of our on and off campus sites throughout the year. General admissions policies and procedures are located on our website. If you should need further assistance with admissions, please contact the SVSU Regional Education Center's Graduate and Teacher Education Admissions Office directly at 989-964-4057 or 1-800-968-2540 (option #3).
Certification advisors are available at the Regional Education Centers to answer your initial questions about this master's degree and to set up your endorsement program prior to admission to the program. To schedule an appointment with a certification advisor on campus, please call 989-964-4057 (option #3). Macomb and Oakland students should call the Macomb Regional Education Center at 586-749-0067.
Upon admission to the program, you will work directly with a faculty advisor through the completion of your program.