Wayne State University

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Early Childhood Education

Working with children

Who is an Early Childhood Educator?

An Early Childhood Educator is a person who works with young children and their families – birth through third grade – in child care centers, school-based programs, home settings or other educational settings. Center-based teachers and administrators work in private and public child care centers, Head Start centers, and private nursery schools and preschools. School-based teachers work in pre-kindergarten, Head Start, kindergarten and early grades in elementary schools with typically developing children and children with developmental delays and disabilities. Home-based educators work in programs such as Early Head Start, family/group child care homes and private household child care.

Equally important to the work with children is the work with families, support staff and the community. The Early Childhood Educator must be a person who can function as a member of a team and is often in the role of team leader. At the pre-kindergarten level, adult-child ratios mandate that there is a teaching assistant in the classroom once the enrollment reaches a specific number. The team of teacher and assistant teacher collaborate on the program for young children and their families.

The primary purpose of the WSU College of Education Early Childhood Program is to prepare early childhood teachers at the initial certification level and at the graduate level. There are also programs at the graduate level to earn an Early Childhood General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement for those who already hold a Michigan Provisional or Professional Elementary Certificate or a K-12 Special Education Certificate.

Students may pursue initial teaching certification in Early Childhood Education by earning a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) at the Undergraduate level, or in the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) or Post-Bachelor Certification programs. Certified teachers already holding a Michigan Elementary Teaching Certificate may pursue an Early Childhood General and Special Education (ZS) Endorsement as a Post-Bachelor student or in a Master’s of Education or Educational Specialist program.

The WSU Early Childhood Education Faculty is a diverse group dedicated to the education of young children and to the preparation of their teachers. The work of the faculty has been nationally recognized. Early childhood education students at Wayne State University have field experiences at one of the most respected laboratory schools in Michigan, the Wayne State University College of Education Early Childhood Center.

For more information about the WSU Early Childhood Education Program, log onto the Frequently Asked Questions page.

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Events

Calendar of Events

Full List
Final Defense for Daryle Alan Olson
June 3 2013 at 11:00 AM
College of Education
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate: Daryle Alan OlsonMajor: Evaluation and ResearchAdvisor: Dr. Shlomo SawilowskyCommittee: Dr. Gail Fahoome, Dr. James Moseley, Dr. Patrick BridgeDissertation Title: The Efficacy of Select Nonparametric and Distribution-Free Research Methods: Examining the Concomitant Case of Heteroscedasticity and Effect of Treatment
Final Defense for Sharon A. Phillips
June 4 2013 at 1:00 PM
College of Education
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate: Sharon A. PhillipsMajor: Instructional TechnologyAdvisor: Dr. James Moseley, Dr. Timothy Spannaus and Dr. Dian WalsterCommittee: Dr. Ingrid Guerra-LopezDissertation Title: Electronic Performance Support Systems: Comparison of Types of Integration Levels on Performance Outcomes
FREE MTTC Basic Skills Test Workshops
June 14 2013 at 12:00 PM
College of Education
Are you preparing to apply to Level 2 in the College of Education? Are you nervous about passing the Basic Skills Test? WSU College of Education is offering FREE workshops to review the essential content, problem-solving skills, and test-taking strategies you need to help you be successful in preparing for your test. The dates (ALL times from 12pm to 3pm in 30 Education): Friday, June 14 (Fundamental Math Concepts) Friday, June 21 (Intermediate Math Concepts) Friday, June 28 (Advance Math Concepts) Wednesday, July 10 (Reading and Writing Subtests) Friday, July 12 (Review for all Subtests) Space is limited, so register ASAP!
3rd Annual Wayne State University College of Education Conference
February 5 2014 at 4:30 PM
McGregor Center
3rd Annual Wayne State University College of Education Conference on "Understanding the Impact of Poverty on Education: Research Symposium and Educational Dialogue" Wednesday, February 5, 2014 - Friday, February 7, 2014 Wednesday, February 5, 2014 4:30 pm. Reception/Keynote Speaker Thursday, February 6, 2014 8:00 a.m. McGregor Memorial Conference Center Friday, February 7, 2014 8:00 a.m. McGregor Memorial Conference Center This annual conference provides attendees with the opportunity to explore and discuss cutting-edge scholarly research and practices related to "the urbanization of poverty" and its impact on the education of children.  It brings together scholars, practioners, and community members with a commitment to improving the education of children living in poverty. For more information please visit: coe.wayne.edu Sponsorship opportunities Full Conference Fee includes Wednesday evening reception, breakfast and lunch on Thursday and breakfast on Friday. Single Day Rate includes Days events. Questions can be directed to Office of the Dean at (313) 577-1620 or via email at education conferences@wayne.edu Lodging available at The Inn On Ferry Street
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Contact Us

Undergraduate Level 1


Undergraduate Level 2
Anna Miller
amiller@wayne.edu
313-577-0902


Graduate Students
Mark Larson
markjlarson@wayne.edu
313-577-0902