What you'll learn

Earning your bachelor’s degree in early childhood education will prepare you to meet the developmental and learning needs of all infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners, including those with disabilities. Coursework includes:

• Intentional and inclusive teaching practices
• How children develop and learn through play
• Fostering social-emotional learning
• Building equitable partnerships with families and communities
• Becoming an advocate and leader in early childhood

Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science Education (B.S.Ed.)

Clinical experiences

Clinical experiences are embedded across the program to provide hands-on opportunities for applying knowledge and skills. Clinical experiences take place in area schools and early childhood programs; they are assigned by Teacher Education’s Office of Educational Partnerships and Experiences. Early in their program, students observe classroom settings and take part in everyday classroom routines. Later, as they learn more about teaching practices, they use clinical experiences to practice designing and implementing activities in infant-toddler, preschool, and early elementary settings. In their final year in the program, students engage in two half-day student teaching experiences (one per semester). Through these mentored experiences, students gradually take on the lead role as teacher, gaining valuable experience in two different settings: 

• College of Education Early Childhood Center
• Early Childhood Special Education

The following classes have a clinical component. Many have co-requisite courses (see 4-year plan for more details):

Career outlook for individuals

Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and pass the associated Michigan Test for Teacher Certification will be eligible for the Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate in Birth-Kindergarten (Early Childhood General and Special Education, ZN Endorsement).

Graduates will be prepared to work in infant toddler programs, Head Start programs, Great Start Readiness Programs, community-based childcare programs, preschool and kindergarten in public, charter, and private schools, Early On (early intervention) and early childhood special education. Potential positions after graduation include:

• Early childhood lead teacher (children ages birth-5)
• Early interventionist (children ages birth-3)
• Early childhood special educator (children ages 3-5)
• Kindergarten teacher
• Family/parent educator
• Childcare/Preschool Director

Visit the MiRegistry Career Path Information to learn more about opportunities for early childhood professionals in Michigan.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate students entering Wayne State University, either from high school or transferring from other accredited universities or colleges, are admitted to the program as a pre-major. At this time, students begin taking foundational education coursework in the Teacher Education Division. Students are required to apply for admission to the professional program. Cohort admission requirements include successful completion of year 1 and year 2 coursework. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher by program completion to earn a degree in early childhood education and to be eligible for a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate.

Learn more

Develop the knowledge and skills essential for success as a future educator. With a degree from Wayne State and a teaching certificate, you'll be one step closer to making a difference in the lives of children.

• Want to find out more about early childhood education at Wayne State? Request more information
• Eager to get started? Apply now
• Make sure you are on track for graduation - Speak with an academic advisor

Professional Licensure Program Disclosure

The University has determined that the curriculum of the initial teacher certification and endorsement programs at Wayne State University in the College of Education, leading to a credential as a certified teacher, meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states. However, there may be specific state requirements beyond the reciprocity agreement.