MAEC Program Description
The Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood (MAEC) prepares students to work with young children ages birth to kindergarten. As a specialty program, the MAEC builds information and strategies into the curriculum that specifically address the concerns related to young children who are struggling readers and those with difficulty in self-regulation and challenging classroom behavior. The goal of the MAEC program is to equip teachers of students from birth through kindergarten to challenge young learners and to develop skills and strategies to become successful professional educators with a focus on young learners.
Early Childhood General and Special Education (birth-kindergarten) (ZN) Endorsement
Upon completion of the program, including the required internship, students who desire to add the early childhood general and special education (birth-kindergarten) endorsement (ZN) must take and pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for Early Childhood (Test ZN #134). This applies to Elementary certified teachers who wish to add the endorsement to an existing Michigan certificate.
MAEC Admission Requirements
This program follows the general admission requirements for graduate programs and School of Education’s requirements. Applicants must submit the following information:
- Contact information for two references.
- Teacher certification information.
- Misdemeanor/felony conviction disclosure.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for at least the last two years of the bachelor’s degree is required. Grades earned after the bachelor’s degree may be considered in admission decisions.
MAEC Student Expectations
The program coursework is completely online with the exception of the required internship for those seeking the ZN endorsement. Please note that there is the expectation that within the course requirements, students may be asked to complete observations of young children within an early childhood environment.
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