Early Elementary Teaching Certification

This master's program meets state requirements to obtain elementary education certification with the ZS endorsement at the graduate level.

The program is designed for non-certified early childhood educators who:

  • Desire to move into lead teaching positions in PreK-3rd grade
  • Want to be a part of a supportive professional learning community
  • Are ready to complete the required classes in 2 years during evenings and summers

ADMISSIONS

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Completion of 50 credits of required pre-requisite content courses for elementary education certification (a transcript evaluation will determine if student has met this requirement) 
  • An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) in the last two years of undergraduate work
  • Passing scores on Basic Skills Examination (BSE)
  • A concise written “statement of purpose” (250 words or less) indicating the applicant’s reasons for seeking admission to the program and what the applicant hopes to accomplish during the program of study
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

Admissions Process

  1. Contact Dr. Regena Nelson for a transcript evaluation.
  2. After your transcripts have been evaluated, there are 2 options available:
    1. If you have completed all pre-requisite content courses (determined by your transcript evaluation) and meet the other admissions requirements, then you may apply to the master's program.

      APPLY NOW

    2. If you have not completed all pre-requisite content courses (determined by your transcript evaluation), then you should apply for undergraduate initial teacher certification (ITC) and meet with a CEHD undergraduate advisor.

      Apply for undergraduate ITC

COORDINATOR

Contact Person: Dr. Regena Nelson at (269) 387-3437

COURSES

Program Requirements

Students will complete 60 graduate credit hours including a full-time, semester long internship in a K-3rd grade classroom.

1. Foundation of Practice (15 hours)

  • ES 6150—Education from a Socio-Cultural Perspective
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6010—Introduction to Research in Educational Settings
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6790—Capstone Research Project
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 7120—Professional Field Experience
    Credits: 6 hours

 2. Area of Specialization (45 hours)

  • ED 6060—Early Childhood Education Methods and Materials
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6080—Seminar in Early Childhood Development 
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6140—Parent Education for Teachers of Young Children
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6110—Assessment in Early Childhood Inclusive Education
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 5750—Admin. Of Child Development Programs
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6050—Teaching of Social Studies in Elementary Schools
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6350—Children, Science and Technology
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 4300—Creativity in the Elementary Classroom
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 5020—Curriculum Workshop
    Credits: 3 hours
  • ED 6700—Authority and Autonomy in Schooling
    Credits: 3 hours
  • HPHE 6450—Curriculum Development in Human Performance and Health Education
    Credits: 3 hours
  • MATH 6510—Studies in Elementary School Mathematics
    Credits: 3 hours
  • LS 6170—Reading the Content Areas
    Credits: 3 hours
  • LS 6180—Literacy Acquisition and Reading Instruction
    Credits: 3 hours
  • SPED 5340—Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education
    Credits: 3 hours

FORMS