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Degree Requirements for Elementary Education Students
Students pursuing BA degrees in Education or Special Education must complete University Integrative Studies and Writing Requirements, the Planned Program for Elementary Education, one of four Elementary Certification Teaching Majors and a series of professional education courses.
Elementary Certification Teaching Majors
In Michigan, elementary teachers are qualified to teach all subjects in grades K-5 (and all subjects in grades K-8 in self-contained classrooms) and the subject area corresponding to their teaching major in grades 6-8.Fall 2009 Freshmen (and beyond) must choose an integrated elementary teaching major. They will not have the two minor option. Teaching minors can be added to the teaching major, but they are considered extra and optional. This curricular modification (pending formal approval) is based on mandated changes in Elementary Education required by the Michigan Department of Education.
Four elementary teaching majors are available for prospective elementary school teachers: Integrated Science, Language Arts, Mathematics and Social Studies. These majors, which are housed in the College of Education, allow prospective elementary teachers to focus on subject areas central to the core curriculum taught in elementary and middle schools. To enroll in one of these teaching majors, students must be admitted to the College of Education's Elementary Teacher Certification Program
| Language Arts* | 36-38 cr. |
|
Social Studies* (students who were freshmen in FS09 or earlier and/or will intern in FS13 or earlier) |
37-38 cr. |
|
Social Studies* (students who were freshmen in FS10 or later and/or will intern in FS14 or later; pending formal app.) |
49 cr. |
| Integrated Science* | 55-58 cr. |
| Mathematics** | 32 cr. |
* Group teaching major requiring at least 36 credits.
** Note that admission to the elementary Mathematics teaching major is limited. Follow the link to the Mathematics teaching major for additional information.
Additional (Optional) Teaching Majors or Minors
Students who wish to add one or more approved disciplinary teaching majors or disciplinary teaching minors to their required teaching major may do so, but this is optional.
A given course may not be counted toward requirements for both the teaching major and the Planned Program for Elementary Education. However, because disciplinary majors and minors are considered extra, courses can be double counted.
