Elementary Education - Teacher Preparation
Department of Teacher Education
The Elementary Teacher Preparation Program at Michigan State University prepares teachers who have the knowledge and skills needed to teach all subjects in kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5) and the depth to teach a specific subject area in sixth through eighth grade (6-8). Elementary education students are expected to gain a strong foundation in all core content areas as well as additional depth in the core subject area that is chosen as the teaching major. They also complete a professional education program and a fifth-year teaching internship to ensure they have the skills they need to become effective classroom teachers.
In addition to Education, two other degree majors lead to elementary certification: Special Education and Child Development (with the teacher certification emphasis). Students with these degree majors must complete all requirements for elementary certification, including one of the four elementary teaching majors, the Planned Program for Elementary Education and a series of professional education courses.