Seven universities host CAEP accredited education degree programs in Michigan for future early childhood teachers to promote intellectual, social, and emotional growth in youth under age eight. Occupying 96,716 square miles in the Great Lakes Region, Michigan is America’s 10th most populous state with 9.928 million people. The Michigan Department of Education serves its youngest citizens with programs like Great Start Readiness, Head Start, Early On Michigan, and HighScope. Early childhood education majors also work in the Mitten State’s 56 intermediate school districts from Detroit to Marquette. The BLS reports that Michigan employs 39,850 primary, 2,300 kindergarten, and 7,740 preschool teachers for an average yearly wage of $58,930 overall. Sharpen your pedagogical ability to nurture children’s learning gains early in these education bachelor’s and master’s degrees for Michiganders.
Concordia University, Ann Arbor
School of Education
Operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private, nonprofit liberal arts school led by President Rev. Alexander Crang to educate 1,054 Cardinals who place “Christ First in Everything” while studying upon 187 acres in Washtenaw County on the Huron River. Graded B- as America’s 187th best college without an application fee on Niche, CUAA is ranked the 211st best baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly. Partnered with 50+ districts like Brimley Area Schools and Coldwater Community Schools, the School of Education capitalizes on a 15:1 student-faculty ratio for faith-based, CAEP accredited education degree programs in Michigan.
Early Childhood Education Major
Certified by the NAEYC, Concordia’s Early Childhood Education Major in Ann Arbor fulfills the Birth-Third Grade endorsement for Michigan teachers to nurture young child development in public or Christian school settings. Boasting 90 percent job placement, the four-year course sequence emphasizes the application of music, art, and movement to spark an early love for learning. Core courses like child guidance, curriculum planning, and classroom safety could be supplemented with the optional Psychology Minor. Undergrads could also join the Early Childhood Society, practice in the CELT, study abroad in Nepal, and contribute to the New Crew Youth Ministry. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and composite SAT score above 940.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
4090 Geddes Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 995-7300
admission@cuaa.edu
https://www.cuaa.edu/programs/earlychildhood/index.html
Eastern Michigan University
College of Education
Affiliated with 145,000+ alumni, including Charles Eugene Beatty and Elizabeth Wells Gallup, Eastern Michigan University is a public, co-educational MAC institution endowed for $67.2 million that’s educating 23,419 Eagles from 800 acres in Ypsilanti just a 15-minute drive from Detroit Metro Airport. Crowned America’s 181st most liberal university on Niche, EMU is ranked the 258th top public school and 653rd best college overall in Forbes magazine. Also named the 141st best graduate education school by the USNWR, the College of Education has nearly 98 programs and valuable opportunities like Teach and Learn in Korea (TALK).
Elementary Education Early Childhood Comprehensive B.S.
Coordinated by Dr. Karen Paciorek, the Elementary Education Early Childhood Comprehensive B.S. at Eastern Michigan lets undergrads earn general and special education certification in K-6 with the ZS Endorsement for Head Start or preschool programs. Entering Phase II of the 124-credit curriculum for teacher preparation begins after 56 credits are finished with a 2.5 GPA or greater. Adhering to MTTC exam content, courses delve into mathematical reasoning, childhood development, learning assessment, youth advocacy, family relations, and more. In addition to on-campus practicum with kids aged two to five in the Children’s Institute, seniors tackle two student-teaching placements. Undergrads may also select the TESOL Minor, earn the Delores Soderquist Brehm Scholarship, and join Kappa Delta Pi.
Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Another of EMU’s accredited education degree programs in Michigan is the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, a 31-credit option for already certified teachers to expand their pedagogical wheelhouse with the ZS Endorsement for PreK-3. Along with access to the Gail E. Johnston Early Childhood Classroom and Resource Library, the NAEYC-aligned program offers self-designed electives from Piaget for educators to play development and childhood poverty. After 18+ credits, post-grads complete an inclusive internship and colloquium at partnering local schools like Lincoln Brick Elementary, Fortis Academy, and Beatty Early Learning Center. Thesis projects in the Interprofessional Education, Research, and Practice Office is wholly optional, but entering with a GRE score in the top 50th percentile isn’t.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
310 Porter Building
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1414
emu_coe@emich.edu
http://www.emich.edu/coe/departments/teacher-education/early-childhood-education/index.php
Grand Valley State University
College of Education
Opened in 1963 after support was galvanized by FDIC economist Bill Seidman, Grand Valley State University is a public, co-educational GLIAC liberal arts institution endowed for $104 million that’s enrolling 25,460 Lakers from all 83 Michigan counties on its 1,322-acre campus overlooking the Grand River. Declared the Midwest’s 125th best college by Forbes, GVSU was placed #1 among master’s-level universities in Washington Monthly for community service participation. With 80 percent admission, the College of Education has CAEP accredited education degree programs in Michigan, including some online degrees ranked 92nd nationally on the USNWR.
Master of Education in Instruction and Curriculum with an Early Childhood Education Emphasis
Relaunched in 2010 to fit the latest ZS Endorsement standards, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Instruction and Curriculum confers find emphasis areas, including Early Childhood Education, to give licensed teachers enhanced skills for general and high-risk students from infancy to third grade. The 36-credit program accepts applications until February 15th, May 15th, and September 15th yearly with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Housed in DeVos Hall, courses will cover developmental delays, educational inquiry, program administration, curriculum design, and family collaboration. For the six credits of practicum, teachers pick two age brackets from Primary, Preprimary, and Infant-Toddler. Graduates also select a master’s thesis or capstone project to add to their LiveText portfolios.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
401 W. Fulton Street, Building C
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 331-6650
coeserve@gvsu.edu
https://www.gvsu.edu/coe/grad/programs-45.htm
Madonna University
College of Education
Led by President Michael A. Grandillo, Madonna University is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution affiliated with the Felician Sisters to share “Wisdom from Above” with 4,500 faithful Crusaders upon its 80-acre campus in the Detroit suburb of Livonia just 20 miles from the Canadian border. Distinguished as America’s 36th best Catholic school on Niche, Madonna is ranked the 86th best Midwestern university with the 193rd top online bachelor’s nationally by the U.S. News. The College of Education achieved an 89 percent MTTC exam pass rate and the “Effective” label for accredited education degree programs in Michigan.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Taught by PhD-level faculty from Wayne State, SUNY New Paltz, Oakland, Michigan State, and North Carolina A&T at an 11:1 ratio, Madonna’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is embedded with the sought-after ZS Endorsement to produce talented teachers of young children. The 34-credit major immerses upper-division undergrads in courses like child development, inclusive curriculum, childcare administration, and instructional theory. Theories are applied with 120 practicum hours and a 240-hour, 12-week directed teaching assignment. Other opportunities include joining Kappa Delta Pi, participating in Early Childhood Club events, adding the ASL Education Minor, and studying in South Africa. Alums boast 90 percent job placement at schools like Dove Academy and All Saints Catholic School.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
36600 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
(734) 432-5339
kobsniuk@madonna.edu
https://www.madonna.edu/academics/programs/early-childhood-education/
Saginaw Valley State University
College of Education
Chaired by Dr. Jenee Velasquez, Saginaw Valley State University is Michigan’s youngest public, co-educational teaching institution opened in 1963 that’s now endowed for $71.92 million to enroll 8,763 undergrads across five colleges on its main 748-acre campus in Kochville Township just 8.5 miles from Bay City. Applauded for America’s 19th best college dorms on Niche, SVSU is ranked the 197th best Midwestern value in Washington Monthly. Charging a net price of $13,269 yearly, the College of Education has graduated 11,600 teachers with an average MTTC pass rate of 88.9 percent .
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Major
Admitting cohorts of 25 students with 80 percent acceptance, Saginaw State’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education is another of the CAEP accredited education degree programs in Michigan with the Early Childhood Major to prepare undergrad Cardinals for the ZS Endorsement. Starting the freshman year, the 30-credit major builds upon the 57-credit education core for courses like early intervention, infant/toddler assessment, emergent literacy, and home/community partnerships. Available at the Main Campus or Macomb Campus, the program features 180 practicum hours before student teaching. Majors could also attend the SVSU Early Childhood Conference, join the Michigan AEYC, participate in ECO activities, and volunteer in the Literacy Center. There’s also a Post-Baccalaureate Early Childhood Certificate.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Gilbertson Hall, North 275
7400 Bay Road
University Center, MI 48710
(989) 964-4057
coeconnect@svsu.edu
http://www.svsu.edu/collegeofeducation/programs/elementaryeducation/
University of Michigan-Flint
School of Education & Human Services
Budgeting $296 million annually, the University of Michigan-Flint is a senior public, regional branch led by Chancellor Susan E. Borrego to employ 524 staff and educate 8,289 Wolverines from its 73-acre campus in “Vehicle City,” Forbes’ 162nd “Best Place for Job Growth” in 2017. Crowned America’s 102nd most conservative university on Niche, UM-Flint is ranked the 108th best Midwestern college and 32nd top public school by the U.S. News. The School of Education & Human Services partners with the Great Expectations initiative to respond to the Flint water crisis with CAEP accredited education degree programs in Michigan.
Early Childhood Education (MA)
Coordinated by Dr. Aviva Dorfman, the Early Childhood Education (MA) at UM-Flint accepts teachers with elementary or special education certification and a cumulative GPA over 3.0 who seek the ZS Endorsement to expand job opportunities with youth from birth to eight years old. The 33-36 credit program offers thesis and non-thesis tracks with evening classes beginning after 5pm for teaching professionals. Charging $578 in-state and $866 out-of-state per credit, courses cover the spectrum from writing development to developmental psychology. Fieldwork is arranged at the on-campus Early Childhood Development Center or at off-site partners, including Durant-Tuuri-Mott Elementary and Genesee County Preschool. Prospective teachers must apply by August 1st, March 15th, or May 15th yearly.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
303 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 762-3300
adorfman@umflint.edu
https://catalog.umflint.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=31&poid=12884
Western Michigan University
College of Education and Human Development
Belonging to the Mid-American Conference, Western Michigan University is a public, land-grant AASCU institution that’s serving 23,914 Broncos with a $330 million endowment from 1,200 sprawling acres in the Kalamazoo-Portage Metro. Placed in the top 600 on the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings, WMU is deemed the 213rd best public school and 217th top research college by Forbes. Awarding $400,000 in scholarships yearly, the College of Education and Human Development hosts a TeachLive Lab and boasts a 100 percent field experience rate for its CAEP accredited education degree programs in Michigan.
Early Childhood Education Major
In WMU’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program, the Early Childhood Education Major is granted with 82 percent admission to dually provide the Michigan K-8 certification and ZS Endorsement for Birth-3 teaching. Following NAEYC standards, the program shapes undergrads’ portfolios for coordinating effective lesson plans in diverse, inclusive classrooms with pupils under age nine. Solely face-to-face in Kalamazoo, the 120-credit program requires grades of “C” or better, passing Professional Readiness Exam #96 scores, and a clean background check on CastleBranch. Career preparation involves fieldwork at partnering schools like Parkwood-Upjohn Elementary and Gilden Woods Early Care. Students may also earn the Elsie Komm Maile Scholarship, volunteer at Camp Kidwell, and join Active Minds.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
2301 Sangren Hall, Mail Stop 5229
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo MI 49008
(269) 387-3465
ask-wmu@wmich.edu
https://wmich.edu/academics/undergraduate/child-education
According to CareerOneStop, the bright job outlook for preschool teachers is expected to crank out 15,869 classroom openings each year through 2024 for 7 percent growth. Michiganders interested in teaching the school building’s youngest pupils must finish at least a bachelor’s degree with Level 2 certification and the ZS Endorsement. Your best chance for passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification comes when you select a high-quality degree with CAEP approval. Accreditation matters both to hiring principals and state boards of education to certify that you’ve met rigorous standards. We suggest these accredited education degree programs in Michigan for your early childhood career goals.
Related Resource: 20 Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education
