Program Overview

The program is aligned to meet state and national standards for knowledge and skills needed to work with families and teach diverse children in inclusive programs serving children from birth through age eight.

A nonteaching version of this minor is offered for majors whose careers may involve work with young children and families.

Certification and Endorsement

At the undergraduate level, the early childhood endorsement (ZS) can only be attained in combination with the CSAT elementary education certification major. Successful completion of the CSAT and elementary education majors, the early childhood minor, and other state certification requirements qualifies students for elementary education certification and for the ZS specialty endorsement for teaching in general and special education programs serving children from birth to third grade.

Why Study Early Childhood Education at Grand Valley?

• Accreditation by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) State of Michigan Early Childhood Education Endorsement Program.
• Faculty are experts in their field of study.
• Students participate in high quality programs with small class sizes.
• With a commitment to educational principles such as active learning, interaction of theory and practice, and learning relevancy, the College of Education offers students the type of personalized attention needed to become leaders in their fields.