SVSU is authorized by the State of Michigan to recommend students for initial certification at the elementary level, grades kindergarten through eighth. Students seeking elementary (K-8) teaching certification have two options to fulfill the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Both options include the requirements of General Education, professional studies, and either:
Option 1: Elementary Education Major with Content Area Major and Planned Program -
A double major: Elementary Education and a content major chosen from either Integrated Science, Language Arts, Mathematics, or Social Studies with a Planned Program of additional content courses from the three remaining content areas. Depending upon the content area major chosen by the teacher candidate there will be a range in the total number of program credits earned for completion of Option 1.
Teacher candidates who select a content area major may add an endorsement on to the elementary teaching certificate in the selected major from:
Elementary Education (Option 1): Integrated Science Major , (41 credits required)
Elementary Education (Option 1): Language Arts Major , (36 credits required)
Elementary Education (Option 1): Mathematics Major , (35 credits required)
Elementary Education (Option 1): Social Studies Major (40 credits required)
or
Option 2: Elementary Education Major and Comprehensive Content Area Major with Speciality Area -
A double major: Elementary Education and a
(57 credits required) including courses in Integrated Science, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies with a Specialty Area:
Depending upon the specialty area chosen by the teacher candidate there will be a range in the total number of program credits earned for completion of Option 2. Teacher candidates who select a Specialty Area may add an endorsement on to the elementary teaching certificate in their chosen specialty area.
The professional studies courses in the Elementary Education Major include academic knowledge essential for professional competence in teaching and practical experiences in K - 8 classrooms and prepare elementary education majors to work effectively in a variety of educational settings. The Elementary Education Major consists of the following components:
- General Education requirements;
- Prerequisites for admission to the Elementary Teacher Education program ( )
- Pre-professional courses that are prerequisites to the first semester of professional studies;
- Option 1: Content Area Major
- Elementary Education (Option 1): Integrated Science Major,
- Elementary Education (Option 1): Language Arts Major,
- Elementary Education (Option 1): Mathematics Major, or
- Elementary Education (Option 1): Social Studies Major with Planned Program;
OR
Option 2: Comprehensive Content Area Major with Specialty Area;
5. Professional Studies
6. Take the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (CBASE) prior to Student Teaching. Results will be used for program assessment and self-diagnostic purposes.