Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education (BK) degree prepares students for a variety of careers in early childhood settings birth through kindergarten. For students interested in early childhood teaching, the BK degree leads to teacher certification and licensure for teaching in infant/todller, preschool and kindergarten classrooms, upon successful completion of the degree requirements and certification requirements of the state of Michigan (including successful completion of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification). Students may also choose to complete requirements for an additional teaching certification for pre-kindergarten to third grade, resulting in birth to third grade teaching certifications, upon successful completion of degree and certification requirements. The BK major also provides an excellent background in child development and early childhood, including extensive applied field experiences working directly with children, birth to age 5, and families, for students wishing to pursue careers in fields such as pediatric occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. This flexible degree allows for the inclusion of prerequisites courses needed for health-related graduate programs. BK students may also pursue careers in early childhood supervision and administration, home visiting, early intervention, and similar fields.

The BK degree program curriculum is built around two core principles: 1) multiple contexts and experiences shape development, including biology, family, school, community, and culture, and 2) high-quality, equitable early childhood education and other early childhood settings reflect the application of empirically based research to inform practices that promote the comprehensive well-being of children and families. This degree program combines a primary education in child development with a focus on high-quality, equitable early childhood practices including special education. All students will gain extensive practical experience working with young children from diverse backgrounds, families, and educators in the MSU Child Development Laboratories (CDLs), which are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and in other community-based early childhood settings.