Early Childhood Education (M.A.T.)
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Early Childhood Education leads to a Michigan Department of Education (MDE) teacher certification in Birth-Kindergarten (B-K). Students will gain extensive classroom and clinical experience to develop the content, skills, and dispositions needed to successfully work in B-K classrooms. Candidates must also pass the required Michigan Test(s) for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in order to be recommended for certification.
Degree Requirements (General M.A.T.)
The M.A.T. program is offered as a master’s Plan C program only and requires a minimum of thirty credits. Total credit requirements vary based on the applicant’s background in his/her teaching field at the undergraduate level and specialized requirements.
All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the College of Education and the Graduate School's regulations governing graduate scholarship and degrees. Requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree must be completed within six years after completion of the first course to be applied to the degree.
Course work is distributed among two areas: Prerequisite courses and major courses. A teaching certificate is required in order to receive a M.A.T. degree.
Course changes may occur through periodic curriculum revisions, and students are encouraged to consult their assigned advisor prior to each registration period to ensure that all requirements are met.
Prerequisite Courses
All Early Childhood Education students are required to complete the following prerequisite courses, which are required for a Michigan Teaching Certificate. It is recommend that applicants complete all prerequisite courses before admission, however, applicants may be admitted with two or three prerequisite courses remaining.
Early Childhood Education Prerequisites for Admission
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TED 6020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | 3 |
| or TED 2020 | Technology Integration in Teaching | |
| MAT 1110 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | 3 |
| SCE 5100 & SCE 5105 | Integrated Science Content (PK-6) and Integrated Science Lab (PK-6) | 4 |
| or SCE 2100 & SCE 2105 | Integrated Science Content PK-6 and Integrated Science Lab PK-6 | |
| ELE 6205 | Literacy Foundations | 3 |
| ELE 6020 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Clinical Experience | 3 |
| or ELE 2020 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Clinical Experience | |
| ELE 6010 | Equitable Partnerships with Families and Communities | 3 |
| or ELE 2010 | Equitable Partnerships with Families and Communities | |
| ELE 6035 | Inclusion, Equity, and Justice in Early Childhood | 3 |
| or ELE 2035 | Inclusion, Equity, and Justice in Early Childhood | |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Early Childhood Education B-K Grade Band: Major Courses
Professional Clinical Experiences are integral parts of the program and must be completed during daytime school hours.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELE 6210 & ELE 6211 | Literacy Methods I (PK-3) and Literacy Clinical Experience (PK-3) | 4 |
| ELE 6140 | Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| ELE 6050 & ELE 6055 | Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: Infants and Toddlers and Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: Infants and Toddlers Clinical Experience | 4 |
| ELE 6040 & ELE 6045 | Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: The Content Areas (PK-K) and Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: ECE Clinical Preschool | 4 |
| ELE 6100 | Planning and Implementing Preschool Curriculum | 3 |
| ELE 6130 | Early Childhood Advocacy, Leadership, and Administration | 3 |
| TED 5791 & ELE 6080 | Directed Teaching and Conference for Pre-Kindergarten and Intentional and Inclusive Teaching: The Preschool Learning Environment | 9 |
| TED 5792 | Directed Teaching and Conference for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education | 6 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |