Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Teacher Education Secondary: Grades 5 to 12


SVSU is authorized by the State of Michigan to recommend students for initial certification for Middle School (grades 5 to 9) and High School (grades 7 to 12). 

Students seeking teaching certification in one or more of these grade levels have options to fulfill the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in teacher education. All options include the completion of General Education, Pre-Education courses (with a grade of “C” or higher), Core Secondary courses, and specific methods courses. Admission to the College of Education is a multi-step process and information on that process can be found at the link below.

 

College of Education Admissions  

 

Admission to the Teacher Education Program


Candidates must successfully complete the following requirements prior to submitting an application for the Teacher Education Program:

  1. Attendance at a Pre-Education Seminar
  2. All University Basic Skills Requirements in mathematics, reading and writing
  3. Minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point. Letter grades associated with entry-level coursework will not be considered.
  4. Completion of 60 credits in General Education and Pre-Education courses. (Unless special permission is granted from the Department Chair who will consult with the Admissions and Transition Committee.)
  5. The Content Major(s) and minor(s) coursework (or approved equivalents) must be completed with a grade of “C” or better prior to beginning the Professional Sequence of the Teacher Education program.

I. Preprofessional Studies Courses


The following coursework (or approved equivalents) must be completed with a grade of “C” or better by all candidates pursuing Middle School (5-9) or High School (7-12) certification prior to beginning the Core Secondary Courses of the Teacher Education program.

II. Content Major and Minor in Grades 5 to 12


All Middle School (5-9) and High School (7-12) candidates must select a content area Major from the list below. A candidate should connect with their advisor to review curriculum requirements outlined in their chosen major(s) and/or minor(s).

Content Majors (or approved equivalents) must be completed with a grade of “C” or better prior to beginning the Professional Sequence of the Teacher Education program.  A minor is not required.

Biology Major for Teacher Certification (B.S.)  

Chemistry Major for Teacher Certification (B.S.)  

Communication and Theatre Major for Teacher Certification (B.A.)  

English Language Arts Major for Teacher Certification  

History Major for Teacher Certification (B.A.)  

Mathematics Major for Teacher Certification: Grades 5 to 9 (B. S.)  

Mathematics Major for Teacher Certification: Grades 7 to 12 (B.S.)  

Physics Major for Teacher Certification (B.S.)  

Science Teaching Grades 5 to 12 (B.S.) 

Social Studies Major for Teacher Certification, grades 6 -12   

In addition to an approved major, an approved minor may be chosen. A minor is not required for certification. Approved minors are:

Biology Minor for Teacher Certification  

Chemistry Minor for Teacher Certification  

Communication and Theatre Minor for Teacher Certification   

English Minor for Teacher Certification  

English as a Second Language Minor Endorsement PreK-12  

History Minor for Teacher Certification  

Physics Minor for Teacher Certification  

IV. Specific Methods Courses


Students select the appropriate methods classes that correspond with their content major(s) and/or minor(s). Prior to enrolling into courses, a candidate should connect with their advisor to select the method courses that are required for their select program.

Secondary Teacher Education Program Requirements


Teacher Education: Policies And Procedures  

Grade Point Average Requirement


Students in the Department of Teacher Education Middle/Secondary will be required to maintain an accumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in all professional studies courses, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in the required content courses for major(s) and minor(s) in order to student teach.

Students failing to maintain the required GPA in either case may be dismissed from the program, subject to an appeal. Information for an appeals process may be obtained from the dean’s office.

Seven Year Time Limit for Professional Studies Courses


All professional studies courses (credits and requirements) must be completed within seven (7) years prior to the date on which the degree is to be granted.

Student Teaching


TEMS 422 is graded on a pass/fail basis. Evaluations are made and kept on file in the College of Education Office. Application forms for student teaching can be obtained from the College of Education web site and must be returned to the Office of Clinical Experiences by the last working day of the month of November for the next year’s Fall Semester Student Teaching assignment, or by the last working day of the month of March for the next year’s Winter Semester Student Teaching assignment.

Student teaching and the seminar (TEMS 412TEMS 422) constitute a full course load. No student may enroll for any additional credits without written permission from the Office of Clinical Experiences. Student teaching normally involves 14 weeks of full-time teaching in an area school. Assignments are made by the Office of Clinical Experiences.

Student teaching assignments are routinely made only for fall and winter semesters.

Note: It is particularly important that students placed in student teaching assignments for a given semester immediately notify the Office of Clinical Experiences when they are not able to fulfill their placement obligation. When a student drops student teaching without approval of the Office of Clinical Experiences, he/she will not be given a student teaching assignment during the following semester. When this student reapplies, he/she may be asked to appear for a formal hearing of the Department of Teacher Education