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2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching Major

Students in the pedagogical content knowledge for elementary teaching major (PCKET) at Grand Valley State University must follow all general education requirements as defined in the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science should follow the curriculum as proposed. Students desiring the Bachelor of Arts in either PK-3 or 3-6 must complete the following courses to satisfy program requirements:

B.A. Course Requirements

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in the PCKET major will have additional requirements. B.A. students must demonstrate third-semester proficiency in a foreign language by successfully completing a 201-level language course, passing a proficiency exam in the language chosen, or through AP credit.

PCKET Major Requirements for PK-3 Certification (44 credits)

Students who would like to become certified to teach PK-3 must choose one of the following emphasis areas:

PCKET for PK-3 Emphasis

This emphasis is for students who plan to earn certification for teaching general populations in PK-3 classrooms. Though not required, students also have the option of adding a content area concentration in English language arts, mathematics, integrated science, or social studies by taking the concentration courses listed under the 3-6 emphasis areas.

PCKET for PK-3 Emphasis with a specialized teaching endorsement

This emphasis is for students who would like to be certified to teach PK-3 and endorsed to teach specialized populations or content at the elementary level. Students with this emphasis will combine the PCKET for PK-3 major emphasis with an ESL minor, Spanish minor, or special education major.

Required coursework for PK-3 is as follows. Note that PSY 101 (3) and MTH 126 (2) are prerequisite courses not included in the major's core courses listed as follows. MTH 126 (2) taken in combination with STA 126 (2) will fulfill the Mathematical Sciences general education requirement:

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Health and Physical Education (3 credits)

English as a Second Language (3 credits)

Mathematics (10 credits)

English Language Arts (9 credits)

Social Studies (6 credits)

Integrated Science (7 credits)

Capstone (3 credits)

Students with a PK-3 emphasis can also choose an optional content area concentration by taking the concentration courses listed under the 3-6 emphases. In addition, students can combine PK-3 certification with 3-6 certification.

PCKET Major Requirements for 3-6 Certification (56 credits)

Students who would like to become certified to teach 3-6 must choose one of the following emphasis areas:

PCKET for 3-6 with math, English language arts, integrated science, or social studies concentration

This emphasis is for students who would like to be certified to teach grades three through six. The PCKET major for 3-6 certification requires a content area concentration in one of the four core content areas. Required coursework, along with coursework for each of the four concentration areas, is listed as follows.

PCKET for 3-6 with specialized teaching endorsement

This emphasis is for students who would like to be certified to teach 3-6 and endorsed to teach specialized populations or content at the elementary level. Those who choose this emphasis will combine 3-6 coursework with an ESL minor, Spanish minor, or special education major. Because students in this emphasis are choosing a specialization area, they will not be required to choose a content area concentration.

Required coursework for 3-6 emphases is as follows. Note that PSY 101 (3) and MTH 126 (2) are prerequisite courses not included in the major's core courses listed as follows. MTH 126 (2) taken in combination with STA 126 (2) will fulfill the Mathematical Sciences general education requirement:*

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Health and Physical Education (3 credits)

English as a Second Language (3 credits)

Mathematics (10 credits)

English Language Arts (9 credits)

Social Studies (9 credits)

And one of the following:

Integrated Science (7 credits)

Capstone (3 credits)

Concentration Area+

Students not seeking endorsement in special education, Spanish elementary education, or ESL must choose one of the following.

Math Concentration (9 credits):

English Language Arts Concentration (9 credits; cannot double-count courses):

One of the following:

And one of the following:

And one of the following:

Integrated Science Concentration (9 credits):

Social Studies Concentration (9 credits; cannot double-count courses already taken for core required coursework):

At least one geography course:

At least one history course, which must include:

And one of the following:

Students with a 3-6 emphasis also have the option of combining with a PK-3 emphasis. Courses under the 3-6 emphasis marked with a + are courses that are not in the PK-3 emphasis.

PCKET Major Requirements for Combined PK-3 and 3-6 Certification (59 credits)

Students who would like to become certified to teach both PK-3 and 3-6 must choose both of the following emphasis areas:

PCKET for PK-3 Emphasis

This emphasis is for students who plan to earn certification for teaching general populations in PK-3 classrooms. Though not required, students also have the option of adding a content area concentration in English language arts, mathematics, integrated science, or social studies by taking the concentration courses listed under the 3-6 emphasis areas.

PCKET for 3-6 with Math, English Language Arts, Integrated Science, or Social Studies Concentration

This emphasis is for students who would like to be certified to teach grades three through six. The PCKET major for 3-6 certification requires a content area concentration in one of the four core content areas. Required coursework, along with coursework for each of the four concentration areas is listed as follows.

Required coursework for 3-6 emphases is as follows. Note that PSY 101 (3) and MTH 126 (2) are prerequisite courses not included in the major's core courses listed as follows. MTH 126 (2) taken in combination with STA 126 (2) will fulfill the Mathematical Sciences general education requirement:*

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Health and Physical Education (3 credits)

English as a Second Language (3 credits)

Mathematics (10 credits)

English Language Arts (9 credits)

Social Studies (9 credits)

Integrated Science (7 credits)

Capstone (3 credits)

Concentration Area (Choose one of the following concentrations)

Math Concentration (9 credits):

MTH 322 - Geometry for Elementary Teachers (3 credits) AND MTH 323 - Probability and Statistics for Elementary Teachers (3 credits) AND MTH 324 - Algebraic Reasoning in Grades 3-9 (3 credits)

English Language Arts Concentration (9 credits; cannot double-count courses):

One of the following:

And one of the following:

And one of the following:

Integrated Science Concentration (9 credits):

Social Studies Concentration (9 credits; cannot double-count courses already taken for core required coursework):

At least one geography course:

At least one history course, which must include:

And one of the following:

Suggested Order of Coursework for Pre-K-3 Emphasis

College of Education and Community Innovation courses included: 110 credits total.

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

Year Three

Fall

Winter

Year Four

Fall

Winter

Suggested Order of Coursework for 3-6 Emphasis

College of Education and Community Innovation courses included: 110 credits total.

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

Year Three

Fall

Winter

Year Four

Fall

Winter

Suggested Order of Coursework for PK-3 and 3-6 Emphases

College of Education and Community Innovation courses included 122 credits total.

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

Year Three

Fall

Winter

Spring/Summer

  • Required content area concentration course (3 credits)

Year Four

Fall

Winter


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