Students have the opportunity to complete their internship through the Teaching Internship in New Zealand study abroad program.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMThe early childhood education endorsement develops students in elementary education to work with children from birth through 3rd grade in addition to elementary K-8 certification. Graduates work in the pre-K and elementary school settings as preschool teachers, early interventionists, curriculum and professional development specialists, early childhood special education teachers, and elementary education teachers.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTSStudents begin their studies in the pre-professional program. Special admission is required into the professional, upper-level courses (typically after the students sophomore year).

Completion of 35 credits

Completion of all WMU intellectual skills development requirements, if required

Completion of an approved college-level writing course with a grade of “C” or better

Completion of ED 2500: Human Development, or an approved course, with a grade of “CB” or better

Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher

Completion of background check and submission of Judgment of Sentence or Register of Action for any convictions, if necessary

Completion and submission of a formal application to the CEHD Office of Admissions and Advising

College of Education and Human Development wmich.edu/teaching

EARLY CHILDHOODELEMENTARYEDUCATION

Western Michigan University

99%

Michigan school principals ranked 99% of new teachers prepared at WMU as “effective” or “highly effective” in 2019-20.

atatThe Early Childhood Elementary Education program is in the process of being updated to meet the new Michigan teacher certification grade bands. Information on the new program structure will be available as soon as it is approved.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WMUat

MY INTERNSHIP SHOWED ME HOW TO ARRANGE MY KNOWLEDGE FROM COURSES INTO AN ACTION PLAN.

Michelle Krieger, early childhood education alumna

CAREER POSSIBILITIESCertified to teach early childhood birth through age 8 (e.g. preschool classroom, Head Start programs, etc.)

Teaching grades K-5 in all subjects

Teaching grades K-8 in all subjects when teaching in a self-contained classroom

STUDY ABROAD

The department offers short-term, education-related study abroad opportunities in Ireland, Nepal, and Peru. These faculty-led programs allow students to learn about educational systems outside of the United States.

Students also have the opportunity to complete part of their student teaching experience abroad in New Zealand, which is known worldwide for its innovative approaches to teaching literacy.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Future Teachers of Color

Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education

Western Student Education Association

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Passing scores on the elementary education test (103) and early childhood test (106) are required for teacher certification.

Pre-intern experiences are clustered in the greater Kalamazoo-Battle Creek area to facilitate student engagement in the schools while completing on-campus coursework. Internships are available in the greater Kalamazoo-Battle Creek community, the Grand Rapids-Muskegon area and Metro Detroit.

CEHD PROGRAM INFORMATION

cehd-outreach@wmich.edu(269) 387-2960

WMU ADMISSIONS

wmich.edu/admissions(269) 387-2000 @wmucehd