The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development: 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.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education
The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education.
The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 321. This course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree with the exception of the Interdisciplinary Minor Requirement.
The following requirements for the major:
a. All of the following courses (53 credits):
CEP 240 Introduction to Exceptional Learners 3
CEP 351 Special Education Law and Policies 3
HDFS 211 Child Growth and Development 3
HDFS 320 Interaction with Children in Groups 3
HDFS 320L Interaction with Children – Laboratory 1
HDFS 321 Curriculum for Children (W) 3
HDFS 321L Curriculum for Children – Laboratory 1
HDFS 322 Infant Development and Program Planning 3
HDFS 322L Interaction and Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers - Laboratory 2
HDFS 421 Assessment of the Young Child 3
HDFS 424 Student Teaching in an Early Childhood Program 6
HDFS 449 Special Needs Children and Their Families 3
HDFS 449L Children with Special Needs and Their Families Laboratory 1
HDFS 473 Administration of Early Childhood Programs 3
TE 301A Children's Literacy Development PK-3 (W) 3
TE 330 Science Curriculum for Young Learners (PK-3) 3
TE 341 Teaching and Learning of (Bi)Multilingual Learners 3
TE 405A Teaching Literacy to Diverse Learners (PK-3) 3
TE 406A Teaching Mathematics to Diverse Learners I (PK-3) 3
View this information on the Office of the Registrar website.
Fields
Fields you can enter with a B.A. in Child Development: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education:
Education
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Administration
Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood, Child, and Family Policy
Early Intervention, Home Visiting and Family Support Services
Graduate School, including programs such as pediatric health programs, psychology, and social work
Careers:
All the careers that are possible for you once you graduate with your B.A. in Child Development: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education:
Infant/Toddler Teacher
Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Pediatric Health Care including Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Pediatric Physical Therapist, Pediatric Speech Therapist (with additional training in an accredited graduate program and licensure)
Early Childhood Administrator
Home Visitor or Family Advocate
Social Worker (with additional graduate work in Social Work)
Parent Educator
Early Childhood Policy Consultant (e.g., in Policy, Educational Materials, Children’s Literacy/Media)
4-H Program Coordinator
Early Intervention and Family Support