The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Early Childhood Education is an ideal degree program for teachers wishing to specialize in Early Childhood Education (birth through age 8). Those who enroll in this program will have the potential to gain new ideas for current best practices of teaching and develop skills for reaching all students. It is also available to individuals not currently holding a teacher certification, but are interested in obtaining a MA in Early Childhood Education. The MAT Early Childhood Education program is supported by highly qualified faculty who provide an excellent combination of theoretical and practical knowledge. (36 credits)
An Early Childhood Endorsement for teaching children ages birth to 8 is available for students who would like to add the "ZS" endorsement to their elementary education teaching certificate. An Early Childhood Endorsement is becoming a requirement for employment in many private and public school districts for kindergarten, first, and second grades. Teachers of state funded four-year-old readiness programs in public schools must have an Early Childhood Endorsement. The Michigan State Board of Education recommends an endorsement for kindergarten. In addition, the new "ZS" endorsement allows teachers to teach early childhood special education for ages birth through three in home visiting programs and for ages three to six in early childhood special education classrooms. An average of 93% SVSU graduate students seeking the ZS endorsement pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification on their first attempt.
