Students pursuing B.A. degrees in 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. There is also an overview for all required courses.
Advising Guide
- 2019-2020 Advising Guide (Seniors)
- 2022-2023 Advising Guide (Juniors)
- 2022-2023 Tentative Advising Guide (Sophomores/Freshmen)
University Integrative Studies and Writing Requirements
All undergraduate students at Michigan State University must complete University Integrative Studies and Writing requirements. Course selections are tailored to various majors.
Integrative Studies Requirement
To satisfy the University’s requirement for 24 credits of Integrative Studies, elementary education students must complete:
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities
- IAH A Course (IAH 201-209—4 credits
- IAH B Course (IAH 211-241)—4 credits
- Note: See the Elementary Planned Program for courses from this list that can be used to meet the “Arts” requirement
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
- 200-level ISS course (4 credits)
- 300-level ISS course (4 credits)
- Note: a 200-level ISS course is a prerequisite for the 300-level ISS course
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in General Science
- ISB course (3 credits)
- Prerequisite or co-requisite: MTH 103
- Integrated Science majors may substitute BS 111
- ISP course (3 credits)
- Prerequisite: MTH 103 or higher
- Integrated Science majors may substitute CEM 141
- Lab course taken concurrently with ISB or ISP course (2 credits)
- Integrated Science majors may substitute BS 111L or CEM 161
- ISB course (3 credits)
- At least two Integrative Studies courses that emphasize diversity
- one course designated “I” and one designated “N”, or
- one course designated “I” or “N” and one designated “D”
- “I” – emphasizes international and multicultural diversity
- “N” – emphasizes national diversity
- “D” – emphasizes both of above
Writing Requirement
To fulfill the University’s writing requirement a student must:
- Complete a 4-credit Tier I writing course from the Department of Writing, Rhetoric & American Cultures (WRA) formerly called ATL
- Complete the Tier II writing course approved for education and special education majors (TE 301)
Planned Program for Elementary Education: 20-25 credits
All courses listed in the Planned Program are required unless otherwise stated. The Planned Program must total at least 20 credits that are not double-counted with the teaching major.
GPA Requirement: A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for all courses in the Planned Program.
Planned program courses that serve as prerequisites for TE 400-level courses:
- Grades of 2.0 or better in TE 301 and ISE 301 are prerequisites for TE 403 (offered fall semester).
- A grade of 2.0 or better in TE 301 is a prerequisite for TE 404 (offered fall semester).
- Grades of 2.0 or better in TE 403, TE 404, and TE 348 are prerequisites for TE 405 (offered spring semester).
- Grades of 2.0 or better in TE 403, TE 404, MTH 201 and MTH 202 are prerequisites for TE 406 (offered spring semester).
Planned Program Courses
- Both of the following mathematics courses (6 credits counted on the Planned Program): MTH 201 Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I 3 credits MTH 202 Elementary Mathematics for Teachers II 3 credits
- The following course on children’s literature: TE 348 Reading and Responding to Children’s Literature 3 credits
- One of the following courses on language acquisition and development:
ENG 302 Introduction to English Language 3-4 credits CSD 333 Oral Language Development 3-4 credits LIN 200 Introduction to Language 3-4 credits LIN 401 Introduction to Linguistics 3-4 credits - The following course on science in elementary schools:ISE 301 Science for Elementary Schools 3 credits
- One of the following U.S. History courses:HST 202 US History to 1876 4 credits
- The following geography course: GEO204 World Regional Geography 3 credits
- One of the following arts courses: IAH 208 Music and Culture 4 credits IAH 209 Art, Visual and Culture 4 credits IAH 241A Music and Society in Modern World 4 credits IAH 241C Cultural Traditions of Europe 4 credits IAH 241D Theater and Society in the West 4 credits IAH 241E The Creative Process 4 credits IAH 241F Traditions in World Art 4 credits
- One of the following creative arts courses: MUS 463 Methods and Materials of Elementary Music 3 credits THR 421 Creative Dramatics 3 credits THR 422 Children’s Theatre 3 credits TE 430 Introduction to Arts in the Classroom 3 credits TE 431 Learning Through Drama 3 credits TE 432 Learning Through Movement 3 credits
- The following Kinesiology course:KIN 355 Physical Activity and Health Education for Elementary Teachers 3 credits
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 K-8.
All candidates must choose an elementary teaching major. Teaching minors can be added to the teaching major, but they are considered extra and optional. Four elementary teaching majors are available for prospective elementary school teachers: Integrated Science, Language Arts, Mathematics and Social Studies. These majors 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 Preparation Program.
– Integrated Science Teaching Major
All of the following biology courses (17 credits):
Course Number | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BS 161 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BS 171 | Cell and Molecular Biology Lab | 2 |
BS 162 | Organismal and Population Biology | 3 |
BS 172 | Organismal and Population Biology Lab | 2 |
PSL 250 | Physiology | 4 |
IBIO 355 | Ecology | 3 |
NOTE: Students may use BS 161 to satisfy the Integrated Studies requirement in the Biological Sciences and BS 171 to satifsy the laboratory component of the University’s Integrated Studies requirement.
All of the following chemistry courses (8 credits)
CEM | 141 | General Chemistry | 4 |
CEM | 142 | General and Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
CEM | 161 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
NOTE: Students may use 3 credits of Chemistry 141 to satisfy the Integrated Studies requirement in Physical Science.
All of the following earth science courses (10 credits)
GLG | 201 | The Dynamic Earth | 4 |
GEO | 203 | Introduction to Meteorology | 3 |
AST | 207 | The Science of Astronomy | 3 |
One of the following mathematics courses (3-5 credits)
MTH | 114 | Trigonometry | 3 |
MTH | 116 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | 5 |
All of the following natural science courses (7 credits)
ISE | 120 | Integrated Science Seminar (Spring) | 1 |
ISE | 320 | Integrated Science for K-8 Schools (Spring) | 3 |
ISE | 420 | Integrated Science Research for K-8 (Fall) | 3 |
Integrated Science majors are waived out of ISE 301 on the Elementary Education Planned Program.
All the following physics courses (8 credits)
PHY | 231 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
PHY | 232 | Introductory Physics II | 3 |
PHY | 251 | Introductory Physics Lab I | 1 |
PHY | 252 | Introductory Physics Lab II | 1 |
One of the following statistics courses (3-4 credits):
STT | 200 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
or | |||
STT | 201 | Statistical Methods | 4 |
TOTAL Credits: 56-59
– Language Arts Teaching Major
Must complete at least 36 Credits with a minimum of 17 to 18 credits at the 300-400 level
1. Language, Literacy, and Culture (11 to 15 credits):
Course Number | Title | Credits |
*a. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits) |
ENG | 302 | Introduction to English Language Studies | 3 |
LIN | 200 | Introduction to Language | 3 |
LIN | 401 | Introduction to Linguistics | 4 |
NOTE: One course from this category is also required for the Elementary Planned Program but the credits will count on Language Arts. Therefore, the course must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0. |
b. One of the following courses (3 credits)
ANP | 420 | Language and Culture | 3 |
CSD | 333 | Oral Language Development | 3 |
ENG | 406 | Topics in English Language Studies | 3 |
LIN | 424 | Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
LIN | 434 | Introduction to Syntax | 3 |
LIN | 437 | Semantics and Pragmatics | 3 |
LIN | 441 | Historical Linguistics | 3 |
LIN | 450 | Child Language Acquisition | 3 |
LLT | 346 | Pedagogical English Grammar for English Teachers | 3 |
PHL | 360 | Philosophy of Language | 3 |
c. Two of the following courses (5 to 8 credits)
COM | 391 | Topics in Verbal, Intercultural, or Gender Communication | 4 |
ENG | 404 | English Dialects | 3 |
ENG | 405 | Language Use in the African-American Community | 3 |
IAH | 231C | Themes and Issues: Roles of Language in Society | 4 |
LIN | 471 | Sociolinguistics | 3 |
LLT | 307 | Methods of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
LLT | 361 | Second and Foreign Language Learning | 3 |
LLT | 362 | Child Second Language Learning | 3 |
2. Writing, Rhetoric, and Design (6 to 8 credits)
Course Number | Title | Credits |
a. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
ENG | 223 | Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Writing | 3 |
ENG | 226 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
ENG | 228 | Introduction to Fiction Writing | 3 |
ENG | 229 | Introduction to Poetry Writing | 3 |
ENG | 232 | Writing as Exploration | 3 |
ENG | 327 | Introduction to Playwriting | 3 |
JRN | 200 | Gathering and Writing News | 3 |
TE | 458 | Reading, Writing, and Teaching Poetry | 3 |
WRA | 260 | Rhetoric, Persuasion, and Culture | 3 |
WRA | 308 | Invention in Writing | 3 |
WRA | 320 | Technical Writing | 3 |
b. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
CEP | 416 | Teaching and Learning with Technology | 3 |
JRN | 310 | Photojournalism I | 3 |
JRN | 336 | Designing for Print and Online | 3 |
JRN | 409 | Topics in Advising Student Publications | 3 |
JRN | 445 | Images and Messages | 3 |
JRN | 491 | Special Topics Laboratory in Covering News | 3 |
STA | 110 | Drawing I | 3 |
STA | 113 | Color and Design | 3 |
STA | 114 | Three-Dimensional Form | 3 |
STA | 371 | Art, Education and Society | 3 |
WRA | 210 | Introduction to Web Authoring | 3 |
WRA | 360 | Visual Rhetoric | 3 |
WRA | 417 | Multimedia Writing | 3 |
3. Text, Media, and Interpretation (12 to 16 credits)
NOTE: Two courses must be at the 300-400 level.
Course Number | Title | Credits |
a. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
ENG | 126 | Introduction to Literary Genres | 4 |
ENG | 129 | Introduction to Poetry | 4 |
ENG | 204 | Topics in North American Literatures | 3 |
ENG | 205 | Topics in British Literatures | 3 |
ENG | 206 | Topics in Global Literatures | 3 |
ENG | 210 | Introduction to the Study of English | 3 |
ENG | 314 | Readings in American Literature | 3 |
ENG | 315 | Readings in British Literature | 3 |
ENG | 316 | Readings in Irish Literature | 3 |
b. One or two of the following courses (3 or 8 credits)
AMS | 210 | American Popular Culture | 4 |
COM | 275 | Effects of Mass Communication | 3 |
ENG | 130 | Film and Society | 3/4 |
ENG | 140 | Literature and Society | 4 |
ENG | 142 | Introduction to Popular Literary Genres | 4 |
ENG | 230 | Introduction to Film | 4 |
ENG | 231 | Film and Literature | 4 |
ENG | 330 | Classical Film and Media Theory | 4 |
ENG | 331 | Contemporary Film and Media Theory | 3 |
ENG | 332 | Historical Approaches to Film | 3 |
ENG | 333 | Studies in Film Genres | 3 |
ENG | 342 | Readings in Popular Literary Genres | 3 |
ENG | 478A | Literature, Technology, and Representation | 3 |
ENG | 478B | Literature and Visual Culture | 3 |
JRN | 108 | The World of Media | 3 |
WRA | 260 | Rhetorical Analysis of American Cultures for Professional Writing | 3 |
WRA | 415 | Digital Rhetoric | 3 |
One or two of the following courses (3 or 8 credits)
ASN | 464 | Studies in the Literature of Asia and the Asian Diaspora (W) | 3 |
CLA | 360 | Ancient Novel in English Translation (W) | 3 |
ENG | 153 | Introduction to Women Authors | 4 |
ENG | 218 | Introduction to Shakespeare | 3 |
ENG | 265 | Classical Myths and Literature | 3 |
ENG | 318 | Readings in Shakespeare | 3 |
ENG | 320A | Methodologies of Literary History: Genre | 4 |
ENG | 320B | Methodologies of Literary History: Region, School, or Movement | 4 |
ENG | 320C | Methodologies of Literary History: Canon Formation | 4 |
ENG | 323 | Readings in Nonfiction | 3 |
ENG | 324 | Readings in Epic | 3 |
ENG | 326 | Readings in Drama and Performance Studies | 3 |
ENG | 328 | Readings in Novel and Narrative | 3 |
ENG | 329 | Readings in Poetry and Poetics | 3 |
ENG | 350 | Readings in African, African Amer., or African Diaspora Lit | 3 |
ENG | 351 | Readings in Chicano/a/Latino/a Literature | 3 |
ENG | 353 | Readings in Women Writers | 3 |
ENG | 354 | Readings in Native American Literature | 3 |
ENG | 355 | Readings in Sexuality and Literature | 3 |
RUS | 231 | 19th-Century Russian Literature in Translation | 3 |
RUS | 232 | 20th-Century Russian Literature in Translation | 3 |
TE | 448 | Issues of Diversity in Children’s and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
4. Speech, Performance, and Communication (3 to 4 credits)
Course Number | Title | Credits |
One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
CEP | 460 | Communication Skill Training for the Helping Professional | 3 |
COM | 100 | Human Communication | 3 |
COM | 225 | An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
COM | 240 | Introduction to Organizational Communication | 4 |
THR | 101 | Acting 1 | 3 |
THR | 421 | Creative Dramatics | 3 |
THR | 422 | Children’s Theatre | 3 |
5. Children’s literature
Course Number | Title | Credits |
The following course
*TE | 348 | Reading and Responding to Children’s Literature | 3 |
This course is also required for the Elementary Planned Program. See notes below.
6. Electives
Additional credits in courses in English, linguistics, language learning and teaching, communications, journalism, theatre, or writing, rhetoric, and American cultures as needed to satisfy the requirement of at least 36 credits in this integrated teaching major.
Notes
- For Special Education and Child Development majors, the three credits for TE 348 are counted toward the Language Arts teaching major.
- For Elementary Education majors, the three credits from TE 348 will count on the Language Arts teaching major if the Elementary Planned Program category totals at least 20 credits without counting TE 348.
- If you have already taken a course that has been discontinued, it will still count toward the Language Arts major.
*Courses in these areas are also required in the Elementary Planned Program and therefore must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0.
– Mathematics Teaching Major
Admission to this teaching major is limited and requires a supplemental application. Examples of factors that may be considered in admission decisions related specifically to this teaching major include:
- Overall GPA at MSU
- ACT or SAT scores in Mathematics
- AP credits in Calculus 1 and Calculus 2
- GPA and individual grades in Mathematics courses taken at MSU and other post-secondary institutions, with grades in transfer courses treated as equivalent to grades in MSU courses
- Number of higher level Mathematics courses taken (MTH 132, 133, 201, 202 or higher); applicants are expected to successfully complete four such courses by the end of the sophomore year
Courses
Course Number | Title | Credits |
All of the following: |
MTH | 132 | Calculus I | 3 |
MTH | 133 | Calculus II | 4 |
MTH | 201* | Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I | 3 |
MTH | 202* | Elementary Mathematics for Teachers II | 3 |
MTH | 301 | Foundations of Higher Mathematics | 3 |
MTH | 304 | Algebra for K-8 Teachers | 3 |
MTH | 305 | Functions and Calculus for K-8 (Prereq MTH 330) | 3 |
MTH | 330 | Higher Geometry | 3 |
MTHE | 430 | History of Mathematics | 3 |
*MTH 201 and MTH 202 must be passed with a grade of 2.0 or higher before a student is eligible to take TE 406. One course from the following: | |||
STT | 250 | Statistics and Probability for K-8 Teachers | 4 |
STT | 201 | Statistical Methods | 4 |
Total | 32 | ||
– Social Studies Teaching Major
Courses
Course Number | Title | Credits |
All of the following courses (46 credits) |
EC | 201 | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
EC | 202 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 |
GEO | 204* | World Regional Geography | 3 |
GEO | 221 | Intro Geographic Information | 3 |
GEO | 330 | Geography of the U.S. & Canada | 3 |
GEO | 333 | Geography of Michigan | 3 |
HST | 140 | World History to 1500 | 4 |
HST | 150 | World History since 1500 | 4 |
HST | 201 | Historical Methods and Skills | 3 |
HST | 202* | U.S. History to 1876 | 4 |
HST | 203 | U.S. History Since 1876 | 4 |
HST | 320 | History of Michigan | 3 |
PLS | 100 | Intro to American National Government | 3 |
PLS | 140 | Government & Politics of the World | 3 |
One of the following courses (3 credits) | |||
HST | 310 | African American History to 1876 | 3 |
HST | 311 | African American History since 1876 | 3 |
HST | 312 | African American Women | 3 |
HST | 313 | Women in the U.S. to 1869 | 3 |
HST | 314 | Women in the U.S. since 1869 | 3 |
HST | 327 | History of Mexican Americans in U.S. | 3 |
HST | 378 | Native Americans in North America to 1830 | 3 |
HST | 379 | Native Americans in North America from 1830 | 3 |
*GEO 204 & HST 202 are also required in the Planned Program and therefore must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0.
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.
Other Degree Options
In addition to the Elementary Education degree major, the Special Education degree major in the College of Education and the Child Development degree major in the College of Social Science are available to students seeking elementary certification. The Child Development major (with teacher certification emphasis) leads to elementary certification and the Early Childhood Education (“ZS”) endorsement to teach at the PreK-K level. Students interested in earning elementary certification and a degree in Child Development should see an advisor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies [HDFS] and the HDFS section in Academic Programs for more information. The Special Education major leads to elementary certification and a K-12 endorsement to teach children with special needs (e.g., Learning Disabilities).
Disciplinary Minors for Elementary Teacher Certification
Fall 2010 freshmen (and beyond) must choose an integrated elementary teaching major. Minors can be added to the major but they are considered extra and optional. This curricular change is based on changes mandated by the Michigan Department of Education. Students can apply to add optional minors on the Reply Form they submit after being admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program. To become certified in the minor area, students must complete all required coursework and pass the corresponding MTTC.
Please check footnotes (below) for important information about some minors.
- Admission to this teaching minor may be space-limited.
- Students should plan to take TE 494 during the senior year (concurrent with senior-level TE courses). Field placement is arranged; course is online. To enroll, the online TESOL Project Agreement Form must be completed.
- As an alternative to LLT 361(Second and Foreign Language Learning) elementary education students may take LLT 362 (Child Second Language Learning).
- Completion of the teaching minor leads to the “ZS” endorsement on an elementary teaching certificate and qualifies the certificate holder to teach PreK-K.
- Coursework for the teaching minor can be completed (1) through a degree in Child Development (following “track one” which leads to elementary teacher certification and requires admission to the teacher preparation program), or (2) through a degree in Education or Special Education with Early Childhood – General and Special Education as an “additional major.”
Professional Education Requirements for Elementary Certification
The following courses are required for students pursuing elementary certification with a degree major in Education. Additional courses are required during the 5th year teaching internship (TE 501, TE 801, TE 802, TE 502, TE 803 and TE 804).
TE 150 Reflections on Learning (3 credits)
- Description: Students’ experiences as learners in comparison to psychological, sociological, and anthropological theories and assumptions about learning and teaching in and out of school.
- Restrictions: This course is not restricted and can be taken by students before admission to the teaching preparation program.
TE 250 Human Diversity, Power, and Opportunity in Social Institutions (3 credits)
- Description: Comparative study of schools and other social institutions. Social construction and maintenance of diversity and inequality. Political, social and economic consequences for individuals and groups.
- Restrictions: This course is not restricted and can be taken by students before admission to the teaching preparation program.
TE 301 Literacy, Learners, and Learning in Context – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Language and literacy development in sociocultural context at the elementary level (K-8). Natural and socially constructed differences among learners. How to learn about a child. Ten components of literacy. Assessment. Reading or writing related disability.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program. The course is most often taken during the junior year.
TE 403 Teaching of Science to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Teaching science to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Science subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the fall semester.
- Prerequisites: Grades of at least 2.0 in TE 301 and ISE 301
TE 404 Teaching of Social Studies to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3credits)
- Description: Teaching social studies to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Social studies subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the fall semester
- Prerequisite: Grade of at least 2.0 in TE 301
TE 405 Teaching of Language and Literacy to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Teaching language and literacy to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Literacy subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the spring semester.
- Prerequisites: Grades of at least 2.0 in TE 403, TE 404 and TE 348
TE 406 Teaching of Mathematics to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Teaching mathematics to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Mathematics subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the spring semester.
- Prerequisites: Grades of at least 2.0 in TE 403, TE 404, MTH 201 and MTH 202