Elementary Education Certification Recommendation, BS
Rochester College is authorized by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to recommend teacher candidates to the state for certification. Candidates for elementary certification may major in one or more of the following content areas: integrated science education, language arts education, elementary math education, and social studies education. Candidates may also choose a comprehensive elementary education major with a second major in early childhood, learning disabilities,* or English as a Second Language (ESL).*
Graduates who receive elementary certification may teach all subject areas in grades K-5 or in their major content areas in grades 6-8, and all subject areas in grades K-8 in self-contained classrooms. Graduates who earn the comprehensive elementary education major with the early childhood major may teach all subjects in a self-contained K – 5 classroom. Together with the early childhood major, graduates are prepared to teach in an early childhood general or special education program (birth through preschool). Graduates who earn the comprehensive elementary major with the learning disabilities major may work with students with learning disabilities in grades K-12, and teach all subjects K-5.
Since the process of becoming a teacher includes both a baccalaureate degree and professional certification, students must declare their intent as early as possible in order to plan with an education adviser. The advising process is a critical aspect of teacher preparation; for example, some courses meet both general education and teacher education requirements at the same time. Education advisors work with each student to plan appropriate progress toward the completion of requirements of the teacher education program.
Endorsements in all content areas listed above are offered to post-baccalaureate students seeking additional teacher certification beyond their initial certification. Post-baccalaureate students must also meet all of the MDE’s Standards, Rules, and Guidelines for Elementary and Secondary Provisional Certification. Students must complete the college’s Christian Values requirement, a teachable major and/or minor, and all coursework and field experiences in the professional studies component.
*Subject to Michigan Department of Education approval
Program Learning Goals (aligned to CAEP program outcomes): After completing this program students will be proficient in
- Reading - Elementary teacher candidates understand theories of literacy and understand how to deliver explicit and systematic reading instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and reading comprehension strategies. (1.3)
- Content Knowledge - Teacher candidates possess the depth of knowledge necessary to teach all content in a meaningful manner to all students in self-contained classrooms for grades K-8. They have a thorough applied understanding of pertinent Michigan policy documents [i.e., Common Core Standards (CCSS), Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and WIDA English Language Development (EDL) Standards.] (1.3, 1.4)
- Instruction - Teacher Candidates design and implement instruction to construct learning opportunities that support individual students' development, motivation, acquisition, and application of knowledge and skills. (1.1, 1.5)
- Assessment - Candidates know, understand, and use data from formative and summative assessments in addition to formal and informal assessment strategies to plan, evaluate, and strengthen instruction. (1.2)
- Professional Practices - Rochester College teacher candidates are prepared to demonstrate professional practices and behaviors that include the scope of the mentor teacher's responsibilities and obligations and are characteristic of research on teaching and resources available for professional learning including Michigan's policy documents (e.g., CCSS, MCF, GLCE, and UDL). Candidates are able to manage instruction in all of the core content areas within the self-contained classroom for grades K-8 (e.g. Integrated science, mathematics, language arts, reading, social studies, music, health, physical education, and world languages) and, with appropriate endorsements, provide instruction for single-discipline content classes for students in grades 6-8. (3.3)
Requirements for the BS with Elementary Education Certification Recommendation
General Education Core 24-34 hours
(some major/minor courses may satisfy general education requirements)
Content Area Major 30-40 hours
Professional Studies Core 29 hours
| EDU 2262 | Media and Technology | 2 |
| EDU 3213 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDU 3224 | Classroom Teaching and Management | 4 |
| EDU 3243 | Teaching Exceptional Students | 3 |
| EDU 3251 | Professional Preparation Workshop | 1 |
| EDU 3263 | Ethics and Culture in Education | 3 |
| EDU 3271 | Ethics and Culture Field Experience | 1 |
| EDU 4583 | Educational Foundations and Assessment - Elementary | 3 |
| EDU 4721 | Student Teaching Seminar: Elementary | 1 |
| EDU 4728 | Student Teaching: Elementary | 8 |
Elementary Education Minor 37 hours
Total Credit Hours: 120-133