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Elementary Teacher Certification (General Education)

• Requirements
• Requirements for the Education Major Program - Elementary Certification

Michigan elementary standard teaching certification allows the holder to teach any subject in kindergarten through fifth grade; major subjects in sixth through eighth; all subjects in kindergarten through eighth in self-contained classrooms. In addition to degree requirements, candidates must complete the teaching major, minor, and education major program.

Teaching Major - Elementary Certification

The Michigan State Board of Education sets elementary education standards that ensure teachers are prepared with depth and breadth of content knowledge. Students pursuing an elementary standard teaching certificate may select from the following four state approved major programs:

• Integrated science
• Mathematics
• Group social studies
• Language arts

In addition to selecting one of the listed teachable majors, education candidates must complete requirements for the elementary teaching minor and the education major program for elementary certification.

Students should meet with their advisor before selecting courses for the elementary minor.

Requirements

Candidates must complete the following 31-credit program. At least one field semester must be completed in a multicultural setting.

English

• ENG 308 - Teaching Reading: The Necessary Skills (4 credits)

Mathematics

• MTH 126 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (2 credits) AND MTH 226 - Mathematics for PK-6: Whole Numbers and Operations (3 credits) OR ONLY

Elementary candidates must take each of the following courses, except the course listed in their chosen content major area.

Fine Arts

Language Arts

• ENG 302 - Introduction to Language Arts: Teaching Writing and Children's Literature (3 credits)

Science

• SCI 225 - Integrated Life Science for PK-3 Teachers (4 credits)
• SCI 226 - Integrated Physical Science for PK-3 Teachers (3 credits)

Physical Education/Health

Social Studies

• SST 309 - Teaching Elementary Social Studies: Grades 3-6 (3 credits)

Requirements for the Education Major Program - Elementary Certification

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

The following must be taken prior to admission to undergraduate teacher education:

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

Course One

Taken before OR after admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation. It must be completed before student teaching.

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

Course Two

Taken after admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation. It must be completed before student teaching.

• EDT 370 - Technology in Education (3 credits)

Teacher Assisting Semester

• EDI 310 - Building and Sustaining Positive Learning Environments (3 credits)
• EDR 320 - Language and Literacy: Development, Assessment, and Instruction (3 credits)
• EDI 330 - Elementary Apprenticeship PK-6 (6 credits)

Student Teaching Semester

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