2020-2021 Catalog (Current)

Pre-Teaching Secondary

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

Pre-Teaching Secondary, 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 secondary 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 subject area.

Career 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  typically involves transfer to a secondary 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) meet the MDE (CAEP) cohort requirements, (2) pass the pedagogy tests in their subject area majors, 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
Communication Competence (9 credit hours required)
Professional Education (9 credit hours required)
EDUC 101
EDUC 251
EDUC 289 
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)
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. These courses must include: (1) At least one course at the 200 level or higher. (2) No more than 5 credits
Social Awareness (9 credit hours required)
Three courses from the following subject areas: ANTH, ECON, GEOG (except GEOG 111 or GEOG 121) PLSC, PSYC, SOCY, SSCI. These courses must include: (1) Courses in at least two different subject areas. (2) One Social Awareness Foundations Course.
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 (see advisor before selecting classes):
19