Early Childhood Education, M.A.E.

(Online Only through NMU Global Campus)

Admission Requirements

Comply with the regular Admission Requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, and
have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all completed graduate work.

Endorsement Requirements

Applicants seeking the Birth through Kindergarten initial teaching certificate, must complete a 300 clock hour field experience in three settings: infant/toddler, preschool, and kindergarten.
Passing score on the Michigan test for teacher certification (MTTC) in the area of early childhood education (BK) test No. 134. Registration materials available at https://www.mttc.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/MI134_TestPage.html

All Applicants must submit:

Graduate admission application and fee.
Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.

Departmental advisers review credentials of all candidates for admission to a master of arts in education degree program. Such review commences only upon receipt of all required information.

Application Due Dates

All MAE graduate programs in the School of Education, Leadership and Public Service have rolling admissions.

Advancement to Candidacy

To become a candidate for an advanced degree in education, students must have:

Regular admission status
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in graduate courses
A minimum one year of full-time teaching experience in an early childhood setting serving children, birth through kindergarten.
Have a graduate plan of study approved by their advisor. Upon admission to a master’s program, the student has the responsibility to make an appointment with the adviser to develop a graduate plan of study and to forecast courses necessary for the completion of the degree. Courses intended to be used for “professional development credits” (ED 900s) cannot be included in the graduate plan of study.
Have a state-approved background check for working in birth through kindergarten schools.

MAE in Early Childhood Education Curriculum

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Education, Leadership and Public Service department page.

Total Credits Required 35 Credits

Graduation Requirements

Graduates must meet the master’s degree requirements of the College of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:

Complete the minimum number of credits for the degree
Maintain a 3.0 GPA
Complete a graduate research project as part of ED 574 . (Guidelines for the graduate research project are available in the School of Education, Leadership and Public Service.)

Students may be denied admission, or they may be dismissed from a graduate program or internship/practicum in education if they demonstrate a lack of professional competence and effectiveness as an educator or fail to perform course work effectively.

Students may also be denied admission or dismissed if convicted of immoral conduct contributing to the delinquency or endangering the health and well-being of a child or of felonies that include involvement with drugs or controlled substances, pornographic materials, criminal sexual conduct, wrongful entry, larceny, embezzlement, stolen property, perjury, bribery, graft, forgery, counterfeiting, smuggling or fraud.

The departmental graduate review committee reviews the qualifications of all questionable students and may require them to undergo further examination to make a final determination.