2020-2021 Catalog (Current)

Pre-Teaching Elementary

Degree Type: Associate in Arts
College(s): College of Arts and Sciences
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Program Requirements

Pre-Teaching Elementary, AA Program Checksheet

Includes:

  • Major Courses and General Education Courses
  • Admission and Transfer Requirements
  • Graduation Requirements

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, 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 variety of subject areas.

Career Opportunities

The pre-teaching program allows students to begin the general education requirements common to all teaching degrees. The Ferris elementary pre-teaching program leads to an associate in arts degree and typically involves transfer to the elementary 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 requires that all candidates: (1) meet the MDE (CAEP) cohort requirements, (2) pass the pedagogy tests in their subject area major, and (3) have a 2.75 minimum GPA to receive teacher certification in Michigan. These state requirements are in addition to the FSU graduation requirements of your individual program.

More Information

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

Required Courses
Credit Hours
Communciation Competence (9 credit hours required)
ENGL 150
English 1
3
ENGL 250
English 2
3
COMM 105
Interpersonal Communication
3
or
COMM 121
Fundamentals-Public Speaking
3
Scientific Understanding (7-8 credit hours required)
BIOL 103
Biological Concepts
4
PHSC 110
Inquiry into the Earth System
4
or
PHSC 115
Inquiry into Physical Science
4
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)
HIST 121
US History to 1877
3
HIST 230
Michigan History
3
LITR 326
Children's Literature
3
Social Awareness (9 credit hours required)
ECON 221
Principles of Macroeconomics
3
GEOG 100
Geography of World Regions
3
PLSC 121
Amer Gov 1-People and Politics
3
Professional Education (9 credit hours required)
EDUC 289
Principles Teaching - Learning
3
EDUC 251
Life Span Human Growth - Devel
3
EDUC 101
Intro to the Professn of Teach
1
Related Requirements (19 credit hours required, see advisor before selecting classes)
MATH 218
Math for Elementary Teachers 1
3
MATH 219
Math for Elementary Teachers 2
3
PHSC 110
Inquiry into the Earth System
4
PHSC 115
Inquiry into Physical Science
4
LITR 380
World Folk Literature
3
No grade below a C.