Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education

teacher reading with kids

Program guideClinical experience mapFinal internshipResources

Early childhood education overview

Early childhood elementary education is available to elementary education students. Beyond the certificate and endorsement eligibility, WMU's early childhood program provides:

  • An opportunity to belong to a community of students and faculty with common interests
  • Experience with children of all ages, with special emphasis on children from birth to eight years
  • A portfolio of evidence of increasing skill level—a valuable tool in securing professional employment

For information regarding early childhood education please contact the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies at (269) 387-3465 or Lori Farrer.

Courses with clinical experiences

Please note: You must complete your background check prior to any clinical experience.

ED 2900 K-8 Teaching as a Profession

Twenty contact hours. This clinical experience is part of the course requirements. There is not an application because you will register yourself for the course.  

ED 3090 Assessment and Instruction in Early Childhood Inclusive Education

Twenty contact hours. This clinical experience is part of the course requirements. There is not an application because you will register yourself for the course.

ED 3690 Early Childhood Classroom Organization and Management

One full day in a classroom.  Apply the semester before in Tk20. The Office of Clinical Experiences will register you for this course. You may NOT register yourself. See deadlines for dates. 

ED 4500 Pre Internship in Elementary Education

Two full days per week in a classroom. Apply the semester before in Tk20.  The Office of Clinical Experiences will register you for this course. You may NOT register yourself. See deadlines for dates. 

ED 4700 Intern Teaching in Early Childhood 

Five half days in a school. Apply the semester before in Tk20. The Office of Clinical Experiences will register you for this course. You may NOT register yourself. See deadlines for dates. 

ED 4710 Intern Teaching in Elementary/Middle School

Full time in a classroom. Apply one year ahead in Tk20. The Office of Clinical Experiences will register you for this course. You may NOT register yourself. See deadlines for dates.