Children

Early Childhood General and Special Education: Birth through Kindergarten – B.S.

This program is offered in person.

Western Michigan University's B.S. in Early Childhood General and Special Education: Birth through Kindergarten program integrates courses focused on child development, diverse family and community relationships, early childhood education, special education, and content area knowledge and pedagogy. It prepares educators to teach and work with young learners and their families, to meet the socio-emotional needs of the whole child, and to implement developmentally appropriate practices and intensive interventions in response to both typical and atypical development.

Why early learning and intervention at Western Michigan University?

 

Professional learning and experience: An interdisciplinary program structure that anchors professional learning and experience within the disciplines and best practices of early childhood education, family science and special education

Dedicated faculty: Committed interdisciplinary team of faculty readily available to students

Scholarship opportunities: Scholarships available through the College of Education and Human Development and the MIYAC T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship Program

Real-world experience: Multiple clinical experiences with young children, including a final semester internship in early childhood/early childhood special education classrooms

Engage with the field: Valuable networking and professional development opportunities through student and community organizations

Optional endorsements: Graduates are well prepared to add additional special education endorsements (i.e. Autism, Emotional Impairments, Learning Disabilities)

 

Looking for additional early childhood majors?

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Additional information

This program is an excellent choice for those interested in working with young children, including those with disabilities. This program will prepare you to work effectively in a variety of early childhood settings.

Early childhood certification can also be reached through the early childhood unified education program. Students seeking a non-teaching degree should visit the child development and services website.

With an B.S. in Early Learning and Intervention: Birth through Kindergarten and endorsement from the state of Michigan (ZN), you can work as a:
  • Infant, toddler, preschool or kindergarten lead teacher in a childcare center, preschool or elementary school
  • Early childhood special education teacher
  • Early interventionist
  • Childcare center director

Following completion of the curriculum, graduates can be eligible for a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Early Childhood—General and Special Education (Birth-Kindergarten) (ZN).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for program graduates are expected to grow much faster than average over the next 10 years. 

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Study abroad

Students are encouraged to pursue additional educational opportunities through one of many study abroad options offered by the HPHE department or WMU in general.
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Visit campus

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Teacher education resources

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TRIO Future Educator Success Program

The TRIO Future Educator Success Program is a selective program designed to serve teaching majors throughout their time at WMU to help them meet their personal, professional, and educational goals while having fun, meeting new people, and learning skills to help them be successful in college and their future teaching careers.
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Office of Clinical Experiences

The Office of Clinical Experiences at Western Michigan University is responsible for the coordination and oversight of all field experiences (internships and student teaching) associated with teacher education curricula.
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Office of Teacher Certification

Western Michigan University's Office of Teacher and Administrator is here to assist you with the application process and aid in preparing you for recommendation for certification.

Questions about the program?

Dr. Emily Curiel

Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor

Contact Dr. Curiel