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 opportunity to gain new ideas for current best practices in teaching young children and develop skills for reaching all students. The 27 credit endorsement program assists students seeking the coveted ZS endorsement for Early Childhood, General and Special Education. Additionally, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Early Childhood expands on the endorsement program to offer a graduate degree for educators and other individuals interested in obtaining a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education.
SVSU faculty in the Early Childhood Education program are highly qualified in both Early Childhood and Special Education and use their experience to provide an excellent combination of theoretical and practical knowledge.
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.
