2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Elementary Teacher Certification - Comprehensive (CSAT) (General Education/Spanish)

• 1. Requirements for the Comprehensive Science and Arts for Teaching (CSAT) Major
• 2. Requirements for the Certificate Elementary Education Major
• 3. Requirements for a Spanish Elementary Education Minor

The comprehensive science and arts for teaching (CSAT) major is designed for students seeking certification to teach in specialized areas at the elementary and/or middle school levels. It provides a solid foundation in subject-matter knowledge and pedagogical approaches across all content areas taught at these levels: fine arts, health and physical education, integrated science, language arts, mathematics, and social studies. Students complete several field experiences in classrooms, as well as learn to plan instruction and assessments and to understand and work with diverse populations, including extraordinary-needs learners. Our graduates have a unique combination of skills and experiences that are highly valued. Students will meet with a CSAT major advisor in the CLAS advising center, as well as a College of Education advisor.

In addition to degree requirements, general education candidates must complete the CSAT major, elementary general education major, and the Spanish minor. Prior to beginning in the College of Education, students are expected to complete most courses in general education and the CSAT major (except SAT 495). In addition, they must complete the College of Education prerequisite courses EDF 315, PSY 301, EDI 338, and EDI 339.

1. Requirements for the Comprehensive Science and Arts for Teaching (CSAT) Major

The 46-credit CSAT major must be planned with the student's CSAT advisor. It consists of the following courses:

Language Arts

• ENG 302 - Introduction to Language Arts: Teaching Writing and Children's Literature Credits: 3
• ENG 308 - Teaching Reading: The Necessary Skills Credits: 4
• ENG 400 - Critical Issues in K-12 Literacy Credits: 3

Mathematics

• BOTH MTH 221 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I (4 credits) AND MTH 222 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II (3 credits)
• OR MTH 223 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers III (5 credits)

Social Studies

• SST 309 - Teaching Social Studies: Elementary Credits: 3

And one of the following:

• HST 203 - World History to 1500 A.D. Credits: 3
• HST 204 - World History since 1500 Credits: 3
• HST 205 - American History to 1877 Credits: 3
• HST 206 - American History since 1877 Credits: 3

Integrated Science

• SCI 225 - Integrated Life Science for K-8 Teachers Credits: 4
• SCI 226 - Integrated Physical Science for K-8 Teachers Credits: 3

World Languages

• ENG 467 - Language Disorders and English Literacy Credits: 3
• OR SPA 314 - Teaching Methods (3 credits)

Fine Arts

• MAT 300 - Music, Art, and Theatre for Elementary Education Credits: 3

Health and Physical Education

• PED 265 - Teaching Health in Elementary Schools Credits: 2
• PED 266 - Move-Dance-Learn! PE and Dance for Elementary Education Credits: 2

Foundations

• PSY 301 - Child Development Credits: 3

Capstone

• SAT 495 - Teaching Sciences and Arts in Elementary Classrooms Credits: 3

2. Requirements for the Certificate Elementary Education Major

Candidates must complete the following 39-credit education major. At least one field semester must be done in a multicultural setting.

Prior to admission to undergraduate teacher education:

• EDF 315 - Diverse Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
• EDI 338 - Teachers as Decision Makers: Instruction and Assessment in Elementary Schools (3 credits)
• PSY 301 - Child Development (3 credits)

Course One

This course is taken before OR after admission to the College of Education.
It must be completed before student teaching.

• EDS 378 - Universal Design for Learning: Elementary (3 credits)

Course Two

This course is taken after admission to the College of Education. It must be completed before student teaching.

• EDT 370 - Technology in Education (3 credits)

Teacher assistant semester:

• EDI 310 - Organizing and Managing Classroom Environments (3 credits)
• EDI 330 - Teacher Assisting - Elementary (5 credits)
• EDR 320 - Reading: Assessment and Instruction (3 credits)

Student teaching semester:

• EDF 485 - The Context of Educational Issues (3 credits)
  (may be taken after EDI 430 but before certification)
• EDI 430 - Student Teaching, Elementary (10 credits)

3. Requirements for a Spanish Elementary Education Minor

Students choosing Spanish as a teachable minor for elementary education certification (in conjunction with the comprehensive science and arts for teaching major) must complete 27 credits through the Spanish Department in CLAS. Due to the complex and extensive nature of the combined programs, minors in Spanish elementary education should consult regularly with both CSAT and Spanish advisors.

It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education that teacher candidates achieve the advanced low level on the oral proficiency interview (OPI) in Spanish before student teaching. Students interested in teaching in immersion or dual-language programs should plan to develop advanced high oral proficiency. Information sessions on the OPI and other requirements for certification are provided regularly, but students should work closely with an advisor in Spanish. Students are urged to meet with a Spanish advisor as early as possible in their program and strongly encouraged to study abroad for at least one semester.

For more information, see the Spanish minor requirements.