Elementary Education (new effective Fall 2022)

The B.A. in Elementary Education is designed for students interested in teaching in a self-contained classroom Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade and/or 3rd through 6th grade. The major provides special focus on the strategies for the unique learning needs of children in these grade ranges. Students in the Elementary Education major are required to choose two concentrations from four options, at least one of which must be a grade band (1 or 2): 1) Pre-K to Third Grade; 2) Third Grade to Sixth Grade; 3) English as a Second Language; 4) Learning Disabilities. 

The curriculum is designed for students to complete in sequential phases which are outlined in the Elementary Education Pathway to Teacher Certification. The pathway includes academic coursework, professional preparation (i.e., field experiences), and passing scores on the relevant Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) exam(s), during or following student teaching.

Certification

The College of Education, Health and Human Services recommends students for the Michigan Elementary Standard Teaching Certificate upon successful completion of the program and testing requirements. The Michigan Department of Education ultimately awards the certification.

Standard Teaching Certificate

The initial teaching certificate awarded to the beginning elementary school teacher is the Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate. This certificate is valid for teaching all subjects in Pre-kindergarten through third grade and/or third grade through sixth grade. Students are able to obtain endorsements by completing the course work and successfully passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in their grade band area. Students who complete the Learning Disabilities concentration and pass the corresponding MTTC are eligible to teach in a resource room K-12th grade. The Standard Teaching Certificate is valid for five years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times provided that renewal conditions are met. Legislative or other state action may change these specifications. Therefore, students are advised to contact the College of Education, Health, and Human Services’ Office of Student Success to learn of the most recent policies.

Apprenticeship Semesters

Each student enrolled in a teacher certification program at UM-Dearborn is expected to spend two full academic terms in apprenticeship work. The period of time is called the “apprenticeship semesters.” This entails two full day's teaching load and all school-related activities at University-negotiated sites for two seven-week experiences in two different grade levels, ideally within the same school context. The apprenticeships semesters for those majoring in Elementary Education are as follows:

Elementary Apprenticeship Semester I
EDD 401: Apprenticeship I
EDD 449: ESL Methods
EDT 318: Learning Technologies in Content Areas

Elementary Apprenticeship Semester II
EDD 402: Apprenticeship II
EDD 409: Integrated Curriculum Methods
EDT 418: Learning Technologies in the Classroom

Professional Semester/Internship (Student Teaching)

Each student enrolled in a teacher certification program at UM-Dearborn is expected to spend one full academic term exclusively in professional work. This period of time is called the "professional semester." The Internship (student teaching) and its related seminar serve as the core for this particular term. This entails a full day's teaching load and all school-related activities at a University-negotiated site.  The professional semester for elementary certification students is as follows:

Elementary Professional Semester

EDD 435Dir Teaching: Elementary Sch10
EDD 437Seminar: Teaching Elementary Grades2
Total Credit Hours12

Opportunities for directed teaching are available only in the University's fall and winter terms. Students wishing to elect the internship in the fall term are required to attend an application meeting the preceding September and those desiring to elect it during the winter term are required to attend an application meeting the preceding March. Meeting dates, times, and locations will be posted on the Field Placement Office website. Requirements for acceptance into the professional semester are outlined in the Elementary Education Pathway to Teacher Certification.

Incompletes, Unsatisfactory Grades, and Withdrawals

No student will be assigned to, or registered for, directed teaching with incomplete work in the Professional Sequence of courses.

Any student, who has withdrawn from or received an unsatisfactory grade in the internship (student teaching), whether through the action of a school district, the University, or by personal choice, will have a request for future placement carefully reviewed by the College. Reassignment for the internship is not guaranteed, nor is it an automatic process.

Students must complete a remediation plan with the Field Placement Director which is subject to approval by the College’s Administrative Council.

General Field Placement Policy

Students in the teacher preparation program are assigned field placements, either as apprentices or as interns (student teachers) , in public or private schools. Field placement shall be made in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth by the College of Education, Health, and Human Services and in compliance with accreditation standards.

The student is expected to maintain professional dispositions in order to conform to the expectations of the placement school and the University. Appropriate academic preparation is required as outlined in the elementary and secondary programs of the College. Professional responsibilities during the Internship (Student Teaching) term are detailed in the "Department of Education Clinical Experience Handbook" which is located on the CEHHS Student Teaching Eligibility website.

The public and private schools exercise the right to screen the University's students. Acceptance or rejection of students is not controlled by the University. A placement school may reject a University student for several reasons, including a lack of placement positions in the school or a determination that the University student's presence in the school or classroom may disrupt or interfere in some way with the educational process.

Currently there is no way in which the University can require the placement school to state specific reasons for rejection.

If a University student is repeatedly denied placement by the field schools, the College of Education, Health, and Human Services will recommend career counseling and terminate matriculation in the teacher certification program.

Dearborn Discovery Core

Please see the Dearborn Discovery Core (General Education) webpage or additional information.

Foundational Studies

Writing and Communication (GEWO) – 6 Credits

Upper-Level Writing Intensive (GEWI) – 3 Credits

Quantitative Thinking and Problem Solving (GEQT) – 3 Credits

Critical and Creative Thinking (GECC) – 3 Credits

Areas of Inquiry

Natural Science (GENS) – 7 Credits

  • Lecture/Lab Science Course
  • Additional Science Course

Social and Behavioral Analysis (GESB) – 9 Credits

Humanities and the Arts (GEHA) – 6 Credits

Intersections (GEIN) – 6 Credits

Capstone

Capstone (GECE) – 3 Credits

Education Major 

Core Course Requirements - 52 Credit Hours

EXPS 298Exploring Writing to Communicate, Learn, & Teach3
EDM 290History Education in Elementary Schools3
EDM 291Democracy and Education3
MATH 381Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 1: Attribution, Geometry, and Measurement3
MATH 383Mathematics for Teachers III: Whole Numbers and Operations3
NSCI 231Inquiry: Physical Science3
NSCI 232Inquiry:Earth/Planet Science3
NSCI 233Inquiry: Life Science3
COMP 105Writing & Rhetoric I3
EXPS 250Elem Ed Vis & Perf Arts3
EDF 450Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children and Families3
EDT 216Introduction to Learning Technologies1
EDA 306Foundations of Professionalism in Education 3
EDA 200Social Justice & Community Based Education3
EDC 240Psych of Child Development3
EDC 300Educational Psychology3
EDC 431Constructivist Education3
EDC 439Child Maltreatment and Trauma3
Note:  EDA 200, EDA 236, EDA 306 and EXPS 298 include assigned field experiences in the local community.  All clearances must be on file with Office of Student Success prior to the beginning of the course.

Elementary Education Major Requirements

A minimum 2.75 GPA is required in the Elementary Education major. 
EDA 371Reading Models and Methods3
EDC 476Literacy Assessmt for Instr3
EDD 495Elementary Social Studies Methods3
EDD 452Methods of Teaching Math K-83
EDD 485Teach Science in the Elem Grd3
EDD 449Tchng English as Second Lang3
EDFP 401Apprenticeship I: ESL3
EDT 317Learning Technologies in Content Areas1
EDD 409Integrated Curriculum Methods3
EDFP 402Apprenticeship II: Elementary 3
EDT 418Learning Technologies in the Classroom1

Student Teaching Internship - 12 Credits

EDFP 435Internship: Elementary School10
EDD 437Seminar: Teaching Elementary Grades2

Students are required to select two concentrations from Pre-K to 3rd Grade, 3rd to 6th Grade, English as a Second Language, and Learning Disabilities. At least one concentration must be a grade band (i.e., Pre-K to 3rd Grade or 3rd to 6th Grade). Only one endorsement (i.e., English as a Second Language or Learning Disabilities) may be selected.

Concentrations

PK-3 Grade Band Concentration required courses

EDC 412Social Devl/Pos Guidnce Techn3
EDC 414Early Child Ed Special Needs3
EDC 442EC: Fam/Sch/Comm Collaboration3
EDC 445Develop Assess of Young Child3
EDD 422Teach Strategies Early Child B-K3
EDD 446Intervention Strat EC Spec Ed3
EDA 219Early Literacy: PreKindergarten to Grade 33
MATH 382Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 2: Early Number Concepts3

Students who are adding the 3-6 concentrations to the PK-3 concentration only need to select one of the following courses from each pair: EDC 412 & EDC 417, EDC 414 & EDC 460, and EDC 442 & EDM 450. 

3rd grade - 6th Grade Concentration Required Courses. 

EDC 417Mgmt of Classroom Behavior3
EDC 460Educating the Exceptional Chld3
EDM 450Intercultural Education3
PDED 405Sp Ed Legisltn and Litigation3
EDA 236Literacy in Grades 3-93
EDM 292The world around us: Integrated world geography for upper elementary teachers 3
MATH 384Mathematics for Teachers IV: Fractions and Operations3

Students who are adding the PK-3 concentrations to the 3-6 concentration only need to select one of the following courses from each pair: EDC 417 & EDC 412, EDC 460 & EDC 414, and EDM 450 & EDC 442.

Endorsements

Course requirements for English as a Second Language Endorsement

EDC 455Assmt: Sec Lang Learning K-122
EDC 490Litrcy Instr & Assess for Els3
LING 474Second Lang Acquisition: Engl3
LING 480Concepts in Linguistics3
LING 476Sociolinguistics3

Select one of the following:

LING 461Modern English Grammar3
LING 425Language and Society3
LING 484World Englishes3
LING 482History of the English Lang3

Learning Disability Endorsement Course Requirements

EDC 401Introduction to LD3
EDN 403Assessment of the Learner3
EDN 402Socio-vocational Transitions3
EDN 401Strategies for LD3
EDD 413LD Elem Directed Teaching2
EDD 420LD Sec Directed Teaching2
EDN 408LD Directed Teaching Seminar2
EDT 430Assistive Technology3
PDED 405Sp Ed Legisltn and Litigation3

Notes:

  1. Minimum GPA's are required for program completion: 2.75 cumulative, 2.75 in major.
  2. Advising Policy: The student is responsible for complying with requirements described in the Undergraduate Catalog as well as on the Four Phase Checklist. Students are expected to meet with their College of Education, Health, and Human Services advisor at least once per year and in the term prior to graduation.
  3.  Students are expected to complete all of the required clearances before participating in clinical field experiences.
  4. Courses taken on a PASS/FAIL basis will NOT be accepted toward program completion.
  5. The minimum number of semester hours required to graduate is 120.
  6. CEHHS recommends successful program completers for State of Michigan Certification, however, it is ultimately up to the State of Michigan to issue certificates. Certain offenses on a criminal record can keep individuals from obtaining teacher certification. Please refer to The Revised School Code, Act 451 of 1976, section 380.1539b.
  7. Students are required to pass all of the MTTC test for each concentration area selected (PK-3 or 3-6) to be recommended for certification.
  8. Students must meet Dearborn Discovery Core requirements. See http://umdearborn.edu/696973/ for details
  9. Students are required to earn a minimum of two credentials from the program (PK-3, 3-6, ESL, Special Education).
  10. Courses can be shared across concentrations (PK-3, 3-6, English as a Second Language, and Learning Disabilities) when students are earning more than one concentration.

Elementary Education- Pathway to Teacher Certification

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) at the UM-Dearborn is committed to providing quality preparation for pre-service teachers. A screening procedure is employed to help identify students most likely to achieve the level of excellence defined by the college.  This screening procedure is divided into five successive phases.  Requirements at one phase must be successfully completed before continuing on to the next.  Students are also responsible for meeting all program requirements for their selected degree as listed in Degree Works.

Pre-Professional Studies

  • Successful Completion of Pre-Professional Studies Courses (EDA 200, EDC 240, EDA 306 with EDT 216, EDC 300, EDC 431, and EDC 439)
  • Completion of three field clearances:
    • Criminal Background Check Consent Form
    • Video Recording Consent Form
    • Bloodborne Pathogens Training (online module produces a PDF certification which should be uploaded to clearance form)
  • Minimum Overall GPA of 2.75 required to move to Professional Studies
  • Required Academic Advising Appointment Upon Completion of 36 Credits

Professional Studies

  • Selection of Two Concentrations (at least one MUST be a grade band; PK-3 or 3-6)
  • Successful Completion of EDA 371
  • Successful Completion of at least 1 Content Methods Course:
    • EDD 452- Math Methods
    • EDD 485- Science Methods
    • EDD 495- Social Studies Methods
  • Minimum 55 credits earned to move to Apprenticeship I
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 overall, in major, and in concentrations to move to Apprenticeship I
  • Completion of Apprenticeship I Application

Apprenticeship I

  • Successful Completion of a Total of 2 Content Methods Courses:
    • EDD 452- Math Methods
    • EDD 485- Science Methods
    • EDD 495- Social Studies Methods
  • Successful Completion of Apprenticeship I
    • EDD 449
    • EDFP 401
    • EDT 317
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 overall, in major, and in concentrations to move to Apprenticeship II
  • Completion of Apprenticeship II Application
  • Attendance at an Internship Application Meeting

Apprenticeship II

  • Successful Completion of Remaining Content Methods Courses
  • Successful Completion of Apprenticeship II
    • EDD 409
    • EDFP 402
    • EDT 418
  • Completion of all remaining degree requirements including Dearborn Discovery Core.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75 overall, in major, and in concentrations to move to the Internship
  • Completion of an MDE Approved CPR and First Aid Training
  • Completion of the Internship Application including attendance at Internship Orientation Meeting

Internship

  • Successful completion of the Internship:
    • EDFP 435
    • EDD 437 

Passing scores on relevant MTTC exam(s) are required prior to recommendation to the Michigan Department of Education for teacher certification.

Learning Goals

  1. Candidates for certification will be capable in their content specialty areas (teaching major(s)and/or minor(s)).
  2. Candidates for certification will be capable users of pedagogical knowledge.
  3. Candidates for certification will be reflective about their practice.