Why Choose Elementary Education?
The School of Education offers an exemplary program in Elementary Education designed to provide a balanced blend of theory and practice. Throughout the program students will complete at least 570 hours in a variety of hands-on, field-based experiences in the K-8 classroom. Our class sizes of 20-25 students guarantee that all students receive the attention they deserve. A background in state-of-the-art educational technology prepares students to integrate computer technology into instruction.
The Elementary Education Program requires the completion of two elementary education minors or one elementary education teaching major in addition to a planned program minor, giving students a broad academic base in language arts, math, social studies and science. Students also receive an excellent foundation in physical education and the fine arts. The professional education courses include field-based experiences supervised by instructional teams comprised of teacher educators, professors from the content area disciplines, and expert K-8 teachers.
Points of Pride
Fully integrated methods courses
An emphasis on academic content
A breadth of offerings for elementary educators
Over 570 hours in teaching field experiences
Technology applications across all program aspects
Focus on classroom and hands-on application
Small class sizes
Individual attention
Semester-by-semester advising
'Best-Practices' research-based curriculum
Collaborative/Team teaching with K-12 educators
Professional Opportunities
Every student will graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to begin an elementary teaching career.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to teacher education programs must have taken the ACT exam and have a 2.00 overall GPA. Students transferring into the program with completed majors or minors must have the appropriate GPA as established by each department.
Teacher Certification Requirements
As required by the State of Michigan to receive teacher certification, all teacher candidates must: (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.
Graduation Requirements
Students interested in pursuing Elementary Education certification will complete approximately 47 credit hours in the professional education sequence, 20-37 credit hours in the planned program, and approximately 48 credit hours in two academic minors of choice. Consult individual program description for other graduation requirements.
More Information
College of Education & Human Services
Bishop Hall Room 421
Ferris State University
1349 Cramer Circle
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2737
Phone: 231-591-5361