Pre-Teaching Elementary
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