Michigan State University is a member of the Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA). This multi-state alliance of accredited universities offers fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the human sciences. Universities share knowledge through a body of faculty with expertise in the fields. This allows each campus to contribute unique course offerings to the degree programs and students have access to experts in the field regardless of location. For instance, MSU faculty in the area of early care and education have been awarded grants to study and create innovative online learning strategies to work with children.

The Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA) (https://www.idea.edu/) is different than other online universities in that:

The curriculum is developed by inter-institutional faculty teams at Research 1 institutions. The degrees are not just a collection of classes.
All courses and programs receive full institutional review prior to implementation and meet the rigorous institutional academic standards of all member schools.
Courses are taught by professors with expertise and research interests in content areas.
Students seeking admission must meet institutional admissions standards.

In addition to Michigan State University, other participating institutions in these programs include:

Colorado State University
Iowa State University
Kansas State University
Montana State University
North Dakota State University
Oklahoma State University
South Dakota State University
Texas Tech University
University of Missouri-Columbia
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Early Childhood and Family Policy Certificate