This program is offered in person.
WMU’s nationally accredited Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood General and Special Education and Lower Elementary Education: Birth through Grade 3 (formerly early childhood unified education program) prepares candidates for teaching and leadership positions in settings that serve children from birth through 3rd grade. Experienced faculty members mentor candidates to develop an effective balance of research, theory and practice in diverse educational settings. WMU offers multiple clinical experiences and a final internship which are spread across infancy through third grade and take place in private and public settings within diverse communities.
Why early childhood education at Western Michigan University?
Scholarship and funding opportunities: The department, college and university offer an extensive amount of scholarships each semester. Additionally, candidates may be eligible for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Michigan Scholarship Program, the MI Future Educator Fellowship and/or the MI Future Educator Student Teacher Stipend.
Electronic portfolio: Graduates leave with an electronic portfolio of evidence that documents knowledge, skills and dispositions to work across multiple ages and grades, and across diverse educational settings.
Strategic curriculum: This program's curriculum is aligned with early childhood, special education and early elementary state and national standards. Additionally, there is a strategic focus on social emotional learning and MI Core Teaching Practices.
Creating exceptional educators: Michigan school principals ranked 95% of new teachers prepared at WMU as “effective” or “highly effective” in 2021-22.
Hitting the standard: The WMU teacher education unit is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Looking for additional early childhood majors?
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Early Childhood Education Majors
Additional information
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Study abroad
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WMU signature
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Visit campus
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Western Michigan University has set me up for success, giving me many best practices specific to education.
Teacher education resources
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TRIO Future Educator Success Program
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Office of Clinical Experiences
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Office of Teacher Certification
Questions about the program?
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