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2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Education for Young Children, Birth to Kindergarten, General and Special Education

This program emphasizes content specific to children within the birth-kindergarten continuum, whole child development, special education, family and community relationships, and content knowledge and pedagogy. It results in teacher certification from the Michigan Department of Education for children birth to kindergarten, with and without disabilities or delays. In addition to the university degree requirements, candidates must complete the major program, education for young children birth to kindergarten, general and special education.

Requirements

The Michigan State Board of Education sets standards for the preparation of teachers of birth to kindergarten education. These standards ensure that beginning teachers are prepared to address the needs of the whole child; use relevant, research-based criteria to establish a supportive, engaging environment that fosters learning; and use practices that meet individual children's needs. As such, the standards emphasize content specific to children within the Birth-Kindergarten continuum, including Whole Child Development, Special Education, Family and Community Relationships, and Content Knowledge and Pedagogy, all of which are related to the professional knowledge and skills and describe what beginning teachers should know and be able to do regardless of the specific discipline area of specialization or instruction. Students complete several field experiences embedded throughout the program for a minimum of 600 hours, which is required for licensure.

Candidates must take each of the following courses specific to the BK age group (36 credits)

Candidates must take each of the following courses from the College of Education and Community Innovation (21 credits)

Candidates must take each of the following courses from the College Liberal Arts and Sciences (26 credits)

To complete their general education requirements, candidates must take additional courses to fulfill these elements (13 credits)

  • Arts (3 credits)
  • Physical Sciences (3 or 4 credits) (either with or without a lab)*
  • Life Sciences (3 or 4 credits) (either with or without a lab)*
  • Issues (3 credits) (from a discipline other than EDI)

**at least one science course must have a lab

To complete additional university requirements, candidates must take nine elective credits towards the B.S. or 12 credits in languages towards the B.A.

Suggestions for the B.S. include EDF 316, EDR 320, EDS 317, EDS 318, EDS/EDR 323, EDS 405, EDS 306, EDS 378, EDT 476, PSY 301, PSY 304, PSY 364, SW 300, SW 320, SW 439, SLP 570

Application required for the clinical apprenticeship with 1.) infants and toddlers and 2.) preschoolers

In addition to filling out the application, students must have completed and received at least a C in PSY 305, EDI 213, EDI 216, EDI 211, and EDS 214 and hold a 2.7 minimum cumulative GPA before applying for EDI 340 and EDI 341.

  1. EDI 340 - Strategies for Infants and Toddlers, With and Without Disabilities and Delays (3 credits) and EDI 341 - Clinical Apprenticeship with Infants and Toddlers (3 credits)

In addition to filling out the application, students must have completed and received at least a C in EDI 340 and EDI 341 and hold a 2.7 minimum cumulative GPA before applying for EDI 440 and EDI 441.

  1. EDI 440 - Strategies for Preschoolers & Kindergartners, With and Without Disabilities and Delays (3 credits) and EDI 441 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Preschool (3 credits)

Application required for the clinical internship semester

In addition to filling out the application, students must have completed and received at least a C in EDI 340, EDI 341, EDI 440, EDI 441, and hold a 2.7 minimum cumulative GPA beforehand applying for EDS 470.

B.S. Course Requirements

B.A. Course Requirements

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in the educational studies major must demonstrate third-semester proficiency in a foreign language by successfully completing a 201-level language course, passing a proficiency exam in the language chosen, or through AP credit.


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