Overview
Guide the youngest generations as they learn, play, and grow. The Early Childhood programs at CMU Online adhere to the guidelines and are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Michigan Department of Education’s requirements, so you’ll graduate prepared to start making a difference in young lives on day one.
Plus, if you are already working in early childhood care and education, you may be eligible for tuition assistance for this program. Learn more at T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Michigan.
Explore Programs
= Ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report
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Location:
Online (supervised teaching experiences are required as part of program)
Recognition:
Among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report
Your Goal:
Develop the skills to teach young children and advance your career in a childcare or preschool environment. If you’re interested in teaching in an elementary school, see our major that offers a B.S. in Education.
About the Program:
Discover the unique learning needs of young children and equip yourself to give them a great start in life. You’ll earn your Bachelor of Applied Arts (and this program requires a minor), and gain the expertise to work with children from diverse backgrounds in settings such as:
- Developmental Assessment of Children
- Infant Toddler Development
- Best Practices in Early Childhood Settings
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Developmental Psychology
- Families, Schools and Communities
Program Outcomes:
You’ll earn your Bachelor of Science degree and gain the expertise to work with children from diverse backgrounds in settings such as:
- Child care centers
- Preschools
- Head Start and Early Head Start programs
- Great Start Readiness programs
And in roles such as:
- Preschool teacher
- Child care worker
- Preschool director
- Child care center director
CMU offers engaging online learning and field experience opportunities built to help you achieve big goals. Request information today to learn more about this program and how to take the next step.
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Location:
Online (with some field experiences)
Recognition:
Among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report
Your Goal:
Prepare for a successful career teaching young learners from birth to Kindergarten including those qualifying for early childhood special education services.
About the Program:
Gain the knowledge and experience you need to care for and teach all early learners as you cultivate a deeper understanding of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in infants, toddlers preschoolers and kindergartners. Clinical experiences in classrooms and programs for early learners—with and without disabilities—enrich classroom learnings in courses for:
- Early Childhood Development
- Learning Content through Play
- Teaching Children with Disabilities
- Best Practices in Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Mental Health
- Administration, Professionalism and Leadership
- Family and Community Partnerships
Program Outcomes:
You’ll earn a specialized education-focused bachelor’s degree—BSED Teaching Early Childhood, B-K & Early Childhood Special Education—and qualify to seek certification to teach Kindergarten and Early Childhood Special Education in Michigan. You’ll have the necessary skills and preparation to impact early learners in their social and academic development in a variety of early childhood education and early childhood special education settings, including:
- Preschool and Great Start Readiness Program
- Kindergarten
- Childcare Homes and Centers
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
CMU offers engaging online and face-to-face learning opportunities built to help you achieve big goals. Request information today to learn more about this program and how to take the next step.
*This program will not qualify you to teach beyond kindergarten.
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Location:
On-Campus, Online
Your Goal:
Prepare to teach preschool through 6th grade with confidence—build inclusive, engaging, and research-backed classroom practices. This online program is for transfer students or second-degree seekers.
About the Program:
The B.S.Ed. in Teaching Grades PK–6 blends theory and practice to nurture effective, inclusive educators ready for today’s diverse classrooms. In this program, you will complete over 600 hours of integrated clinical fieldwork (including student teaching internship) to ensure you’re classroom‑ready. Curriculum is built on a whole‑child, learner‑centered philosophy, with coursework covering educational fundamentals like:
- Early Literacy
- Word Study and Fluency
- The Teaching of Counting and Whole Numbers
- The Teaching of Patterns, Shapes, Measurement and Data
- Introduction to American Government and Politics
- United States History through Michigan Eyes
- Science and Engineering Practices for Teaching PK-6
- Introductory Physical Science
Students are required to reside in Michigan and complete clinical experiences in Michigan.
Online students must have some college credit (no specific courses required) and a minimum 2.8 GPA – calculated cumulative coursework from all institutions attended.
Accredited by CAEP, the degree is compliant with Michigan’s requirements for a Standard PK–6 teaching certificate.
Program Outcomes:
You’ll earn a Bachelor of Science in Education and qualify for Michigan’s Standard Teaching Certificate with PK–6 endorsement. Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective instructional strategies across core PK-6 content areas.
- Support the development and well-being of diverse learners.
- Create and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
- Use assessment data to inform instruction and support individualized learning goals.
- Integrate technology to promote active engagement and accessibility in the classroom.
- Complete over 600 hours of clinical experience, including a supervised student teaching internship in a PK–6 setting.
CMU offers engaging online and face-to-face learning opportunities built to help you achieve big goals. Request information today to learn more about this program and how to take the next step.
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