Undergraduate Admissions

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Help the Youngest Minds Develop and Growchildren and teacher playing outside

The first years of children’s lives underpin their overall development, making early education vital to their future success. You can learn how to provide critical instruction in our birth to kindergarten education program at University of Michigan-Dearborn.

In this Bachelor of Arts program, you learn about child development, relationship building, and special education, giving you the knowledge and skills needed to positively impact the lives of our youngest learners.

Where A Birth to Kindergarten Education Degree Will Take You

Upon successfully completing the program and passing a state test, you will be certified by the Michigan Department of Education to work in early intervention and home visiting programs such as Early On. The degree also is excellent preparation for jobs such as preschool teacher and childcare center director.

Career and Salary Outlook

The information in this table is meant to give you an idea of career opportunities with this degree. All information is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is meant to be averages across the United States. Please note that these figures reflect overall averages and may not represent entry-level salaries.

$65,910 Median Salary

Special Education Teacher

Employment of special education teachers is projected to stay steady from 2022 to 2032. About 33,500 openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade, mainly to replace teachers who retire or otherwise leave the profession.

$54,290 Median Salary

Preschool and Childcare Center Director

Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to decline 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. Despite declining employment, about 4,600 openings for preschool and childcare center directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$37,130 Median Salary

Preschool Teacher

Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow three percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 56,300 openings for preschool teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

$74,620 Median Salary

Instructional Coordinator (master’s usually required)

Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow two percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 19,200 openings for instructional coordinators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Program Details

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Application Deadlines

UM-Dearborn has rolling admissions throughout the year, and deadlines depend on your student type. Apply early, priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships may be given to earlier applicants.

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Tuition

Get started early on your financial planning for college. Complete the net price calculator to get an estimate of your cost to attend UM-Dearborn.

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Go Blue Guarantee

Students at UM-Dearborn are eligible for the Go Blue Guarantee - University of Michigan’s landmark promise of free tuition for high-achieving in-state undergraduate students from qualifying backgrounds. Major financial support is available for students who do not fully qualify.

Paying for College

Student Teaching through UM-Dearborn

Become a teacher in the state of Michigan with engaging coursework and student teaching placements.

How to Get Involved

You’ll have numerous opportunities to get involved and enrich your learning experience on campus. Just a few examples include study groups, seminars, workshops, and extracurricular activities dedicated to early childhood education and more. You will have the chance to learn from peers, engage with faculty, and network with professionals in the field.

Licensure Statement

The pathways in our Educator Preparation Program were designed to satisfy educational prerequisites to initial and advanced licensure in only the state of Michigan. We encourage students to contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state in which they are located or, if different, the state in which they intend to seek licensure for more information. While the Educator Preparation Program pathways may or may not fully satisfy educational prerequisites to licensure in other states, academic advisors work with students on an individual basis and are available to discuss teaching certifications and reciprocity opportunities in other states. In addition, the Education Commission of the States website provides solid information as to the expectations each state and the District of Columbia has for obtaining licensure beyond Michigan licensure.

Next Steps

Become a part of the UM-Dearborn community and put your dreams to work for you.

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