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Pre-Teaching Elementary PTEL

Degree Type: Associate in Arts

College: Education and Human Services

Career Path: Human Services

Required Courses		Credit Hours
Communication Competence (9 credit hours required)
ENGL 150	English 1	3
ENGL 250	English 2	3
COMM	Inter. Comm. (COMM 105) or Fund. of Public Speaking (COMM 121)	3
Scientific Understanding (7-8 credit hours required)
	Two courses from the following subject areas (one must be a lab course): ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, GEOG 111, GEOG 121, GEOL, PHSC, PHYS.
Quantitative Skills (Proficiency in MATH 115 or higher)
	This requirement can be completed by ONE of the following options: (1) Pass MATH 115 or higher. (2) Pass course proficiency exam in MATH 115 or higher. (3) ACT Math subtest score of 24 or higher.
Cultural Enrichment (9 credit hours required)
	Three courses from the following subject areas: ARCH 244, ARTH, ARTS, COMM 231, FREN, GERM, HIST, HUMN (exclude HUMN 217), LITR, MUSI, SPAN, THTR.
Social Awareness (9 credit hours required)
	Three courses from the following subject areas: ANTH, ECON, GEOG (except GEOG 111 or 121) PLSC, PSYC, SOCY, SSCI. These courses must include: (1) Courses in at least two different subject areas. (2) One Social Awareness Foundations Course.
Professional Education (9 credit hours required)
EDUC 289	Principles of Teaching and Learning	3
EDUC 251	Life Span Human Growth & Dev	3
EDUC 205	Ed Tech in Elem/MS	3
Related Requirements (19 credit hours required. See advisor before selecting classes)

Why Pre-Teaching Education?

Students who plan to major in a curriculum for elementary education may wish to prepare with the pre-teaching program, which includes fundamental education courses and individually broadening classes such as English, mathematics, music and social awareness.

During your freshman year in pre-teaching, you will take courses in English, speech, reading, history, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, behavioral sciences and other electives. As a sophomore, additional electives are needed, including government, literature, economics, sociology, psychology and other required general courses.

Students who plan to transfer into a B.S. degree program should be sure to select general education courses that satisfy the B.S. degree requirements. After discussion with the academic advisor from the appropriate curriculum, students can choose electives from a subject area.

Professional Opportunities

The pre-teaching program allows students to begin the general education requirements common to all teaching degrees. The Ferris secondary pre-teaching program leads to an associate in arts degree and is for students who wish to major in a non-science curriculum. The Ferris elementary education emphasis is a guide to an associate in arts degree and typically involves transfer to another teaching degree for the third and fourth years.

Teacher Certification

If a pre-teaching student wishes to continue in teacher education to complete a teaching degree and obtain certification, the State of Michigan requires that all candidates: (1) pass the Michigan Basic Skills Test, (2) pass the pedagogy tests in their subject area majors and minors, and (3) have a 2.50 minimum GPA to receive teacher certification in Michigan. These state requirements are in addition to the FSU graduation requirements of your individual program.

Admission Requirements

High school students and transfer students with 29 credit hours or less must possess a high school grade point average of 2.25 (on a 4.0 scale) or an ACT composite score of 15. Transfer students with 30 credit hours or more must possess a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Students transferring into the program with completed majors or minors must have the appropriate GPA as established by each department. Consult individual program description for other admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

The pre-teaching education program leads to an Applied Associate degree through the School of Education, College of Education & Human Services. Graduates must complete all of FSU's general education, pre-teaching, and education requirements. Consult individual program description for other admission requirements.

More Information

College of Education & Human Services
Bishop Hall Room 601
Ferris State University
1349 Cramer Circle
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2737
Telephone: (231) 591-3646