College of Education and Human Development

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College of Education and Human Development
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5229 USA
Main office:  (269) 387-2960
Student services: (269) 387-3474

WMU Grow Your Own Teacher Education

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Western Michigan University (WMU)'s College of Education and Human Development is partnering with school districts, regional educational service agencies and the Talent Together consortium to address the teacher shortage in Michigan. These collaborations leverage multiple funding sources to offer fully-funded high quality teacher preparation in specific areas at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. These funding sources include the Michigan Future Proud Educator Grow Your Own initiative, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) 61i grant and the Talent Together state funded program.
 
For more information and for school districts interested in pursuing Round Two GYO funding, please contact senior associate dean Dr. Kristal Ehrhardt or program manager Alicia Vorholt. 
 

Program benefits

  • Fully-funded bachelor's or master's degree from WMU
  • Fast-track your bachelor's degree in 2-3 years 
  • Earn a master's degree in 1-2 years
  • Receive salary, benefits and experience with a community of learners
  • Eligibility for Michigan Teacher Certification upon program completion

Program information

About the program: The master's degree in adapted physical education is designed to prepare physical education and special education teachers to provide quality adapted physical education for school children with disabilities in the least restrictive, most appropriate, and most inclusive environments. The program is offered completely online.  

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Jiabei Zhang, Professor of Adapted Physical Education

About the program: The Early Childhood General and Special Education and Lower Elementary Education: Birth through Grade 3 program prepares candidates to work with young children from birth through 3rd Grade. Graduates will qualify to take the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for the PK-3 (ZO) and Birth - Kindergarten (ZN) endorsements. This expedited 3-year program is delivered in online and hybrid formats.

Course sequences:

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Susan Piazza, Chair of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

About the program: The B.S. in Early Childhood General and Special Education: Birth through Kindergarten integrates courses focused on child development, diverse family and community relationships, early childhood education, special education, and content area knowledge and pedagogy. It prepares educators to teach and work with young learners and their families, to meet the socio-emotional needs of the whole child, and to implement developmentally appropriate practices and intensive interventions in response to both typical and atypical development. Graduates will qualify to take the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for initial teacher certification in Early Childhood General and Special Education: Birth - Kindergarten (ZN).

Course sequences:

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Emily Curiel, Assistant Professor 

About the program: The Master of Arts in Early Childhood General and Special Education: Birth through Kindergarten (BK) prepares educators for work in a variety of early care and classroom settings serving infants through kindergarten-age children.

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Emily Curiel, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Special Education

About the program: The elementary education program prepares candidates to teach in Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade. Graduates will qualify to take the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for the PK-3 (ZO) and/or 3-6 (ZP) endorsements. This expedited 3-year program is delivered in online and hybrid formats.

Course sequences:

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Susan Piazza, Chair of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

About the program: The elementary education master's degree program meets state requirements for initial elementary education certification in grades K-5 all subjects (K-8 all subjects in a self- contained classroom) (ZG) at the graduate level and is designed for non-certified elementary educators K-5. 

Course sequences:
Questions?
Contact WMU: Dr. Susan Piazza, Chair of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

About the program: The literacy studies master's degree program enhances the knowledge and skills of reflective practitioners as they become leaders as reading specialists, literacy coaches, innovative classroom teachers, researchers and advocates.

Course sequences:

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Laura Teichert, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Literacy Studies

About the program: The school counseling concentration of the counselor education master's program meets the educational requirements for the school counselor license (K-12) and the limited license as a professional counselor (LLPC) in Michigan. 

Course sequences:

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Glinda Rawls, Associate Professor and Director of the Counselor Education Unit

About the program: Students in the special education master's degree program focus their studies on obtaining a special education teaching endorsement, in depth study of special education content for personal growth, or preparation for advanced graduate training. Available endorsement areas include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Impairments, and Learning Disabilities. 

Course sequences:

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Kate LaLonde, Associate Professor of Special Education or Dr. Sarah Summy, Professor of Special Education.

About the program: The M.A. in TESOL program is designed to prepare educators to meet the unique needs of English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Graduates are well prepared for Michigan's ESL endorsement. 

Course sequences:

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Virginia David, Faculty Specialist and Coordinator of TESOL programs

About the program: The bachelor's degree in occupational education studies prepares students to work in a technical training setting. The major is cross-disciplinary and allows students to acquire technical training skills while focusing on areas of personal interest and experience.

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Adam Manley, Chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

About the program: The masters degree in Workforce Education and Development prepares candidates for general education and/or Career and Technical Education (CTE) endorsements in Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, or Industrial and Technology Education.

Questions?

Contact WMU: Dr. Adam Manley, Chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Student experience

95%

Over 95% of participants expressed a positive experience with operations and support services.

95%

Nearly 95% of participants expressed that program courses have prepared them for a career in teaching.

93%

Over 93% of program participants feel there is flexibility to support the unique needs of students.

85%

Over 85% of program participants expressed satisfaction with the quality of coursework instruction.
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World Language Testing Center host first groups of high schoolers for biliteracy test

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Grow Your Own student applies literacy skills in elementary school

How to apply

Applicants must first indicate interest with their school district to gain sponsorship. Once sponsored and approved by the school district, applicants should apply to Western Michigan University using the links below.

APPLY TO WMU – B.S.
APPLY TO WMU – M.A.

GYO staff

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Dr. Kristal Ehrhardt

Senior Associate Dean
Contact
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Stacey VanderEide

Student Success Advisor
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Alicia Vorholt

Program Manager
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