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Geography Education GEOG

Career Path: Health Sciences, Human Services

Required Courses		Credit Hours
Required Courses

Geography Major
GEOG 100		3
GEOG 111	Geog of Phys Environment*Z	3
GEOG 112	Cultural Geography*GRS	3
GEOG 121	Weather & Climate *Z	3
GEOG 201	Geography of the US & Canada*S	3
GEOG 241	Map Analysis & Interpretation*S	3
GEOG 311	Social Aspects of Geographic Information Systems	3
GEOG 301	Geog-MI & Great Lakes Reg * RS	3
GEOG 202	Geog-Latn Amer/Africa/Asia*GS	3
OR
GEOG 372	World Medical Geography*GS	3
OR
GEOG 421	Nat'l Parks of The World*GS	3
GEOG 424	Current Global Problems *GS	3
GEOG 450	National Parks of the World	3
SSCI 425	Issues in Public Policy *S	3
Professional Education Sequence
Level I
NOTE: Students seeking admission to teacher education candidacy must meet all university requirements for admission to the specific program they wish to enter.
EDUC 251	Life Span Human Growth & Dev	3
EDUC 289		3
Level II
NOTE: Prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program and Level II courses, students must pass all sections of the Basic Skills Test, complete all Professional Education Pre-requisite courses with a minimum of 2.5 GPA, with no grade lower than a C (2.0), have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and meet all other program requirements. Students may have no more than two repeats in Level I coursework.
EDUC 303	School, Work & Society	3
EDUC 308	Teaching Strategies for SPED/Diverse Pop	3
EDUC 339	Instructional Planning and Practice	2
EDUC 430	Instruction Delivery & Evaluation	4
EDUC 439	Instructional Theory into Practice	2
EDUC 443	Teaching Reading/Secondary Areas	3
Level III
NOTE: Prior to student teaching and professional seminar (Level III courses), students must obtain the appropriate GPA for their major/minor as established by each department, earn an overall GPA of 2.75 in the professional education courses, have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and meet all other program requirements.
EDUC 491	Secondary Directed Teaching	12
EDUC 499	Professional Seminar	2
TOTAL		40
NOTE: STUDENTS MUST OBTAIN THE APPROPRIATE GPA FOR THEIR MAJOR/MINOR AS ESTABLISHED BY EACH DEPARTMENT. A 2.75 GPA IS REQUIRED IN THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COURSE SEQUENCE. A 2.50 CUMULATIVE GPA IS ALSO REQUIRED BEFORE STUDENT TEACHING. NOTE: Though faculty advisors are responsible for advising students regarding degree requirements, it is the student who is ultimately responsible for choosing the correct courses and for following the correct program.

Why Choose Geography Education?

The employment outlook for geography education students is excellent. Graduates are prepared to teach in high schools and also have the necessary basic preparation to enter a career in industry or pursue an advanced degree in geography. One semester of directed teaching at the secondary level is required. A teaching minor is also required.

Professional Opportunities

Geography Education is a four-year curriculum that may be selected as a major. A teaching minor is also required. Successful completion of the program leads to recommendation for a Michigan secondary provisional certificate. The program is designed to take full advantage of the unusual, hands-on Ferris instructional capabilities in developing both teaching and subject matter competency. Students receive the broad background in classroom, laboratory and field training essential to be effective teachers.

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.

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 Ferris graduation requirements of your individual program.

Graduation Requirements

The geography education program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree through the School of Education, College of Education & Human Services. Graduates must complete all of Ferris' general education, geography, and education requirements. Professional education requirements include a semester of directed student teaching. Consult individual program description for other graduation requirements.

A 2.75 GPA is required for successful completion of the Geography major.

More Information

College of Education & Human Services
Bishop Hall Room 421
Ferris State University
1349 Cramer Circle
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2737
Telephone: (231) 591-5361