Undergraduate Elementary Education Program prior to Fall 2021
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning Fall 2021, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) established new certification structures for teachers. If you began taking courses for an Education program in Spring/Summer 2021 or earlier (i.e. prior to Fall 2021), you may continue to follow the old Elementary program structure. See the program information below on this page for Elementary majors.
If you began an Elementary Education program in Fall 2021 or later, please refer to the current Elementary Program Options (for students beginning Fall 2021 or later).
Elementary Program Options (for students beginning Spring/Summer 2021 or earlier)
The Elementary program (for students who began in Spring/Summer 2021 or earlier) prepares you to teach all subject areas in grades K-5.
In addition, you are prepared to teach one of these subject areas in grades K-8:
- Early Childhood Education
- English as a Second Language
- Integrated Science
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Spanish
- Special Education
To teach Integrated Science, Language Arts, Mathematics, or Social Studies, you need to complete an academic major in that subject area, and the Education major and Elementary Teaching minor. Use the links below to view more information about each of these subject areas.
Course Transition Plan
In 2021, many Undergraduate Education courses were renumbered or replaced with new courses as the Education programs adjusted to meet new requirements from the Michigan Department of Education. The Course Transition Plan (Word Document) provides a detailed guide on which courses transfer in the transition.
To teach Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, Spanish, or Special Education, students who began in Spring/Summer 2021 or earlier need to complete the Comprehensive Science and Arts for Teaching (CSAT) major and the Education major and minor in your chosen endorsement. This program is designed for students seeking certification to teach in specialized areas. Use the links below to view more information about each of these programs.
If you began an Elementary Education program in Fall 2021 or later, please refer to the current Elementary Program Options (for students beginning Fall 2021 or later).
Courses
Education course information may be viewed on the Course List page.
Information on the courses for each subject area for the old Elementary program can be found by searching GVSU's 2020-2021 Catalog.