Early Childhood Education

Early childhood focuses on the study of all children from birth through age eight. SVSU offers a variety of programs to prepare candidates for their desired role in supporting or working with young children and their families.

Undergraduate Early Childhood Major

Option 2 Elementary Program

Teacher candidates complete this 30 credit major in combination with the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.

Early Childhood Master's Degree (M.A.T.)

This program (36 credit) is designed for individuals seeking an advanced degree in early childhood. Individuals may pursue the M.A.T. only or the ZS endorsement within the M.A.T. The ZS endorsement can only be added to an elementary teaching certificate.

Teacher doing an experiment with kids in the classroom

Early Childhood Education (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood is an ideal degree program for individuals wishing to specialize in Early Childhood without pursuing an elementary teaching certificate. Those who enroll in this program will have the opportunity to gain new ideas for recommended practices in early childhood education an develop skills for working within Michigan's Great Start System to support families with young children.

Student teacher working with a child on a laptop

Early Childhood Endorsement

Graduate Endorsement

Individuals certified in elementary education and interested in completing a Michigan Early Childhood (ZS) endorsement only must complete 27 credits (9 courses) and successfully pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).

Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher who are seeking a career in teaching may obtain elementary teaching credentials in with a focus in early childhood.