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.
122 Credit Hours across 3 years
Schedules are dependent on start and dates and transfer credits.
Year One
| Fall | Child Development/Teaching/SEL (7 cr.) | Math Classes (6 cr.) | College Composition (3 cr.) | No Formal Field Experience |
| Spring | WES Classes (6 cr.) | Science Classes (6 cr.) | Children's Literature (6 cr.) | No Formal Field Experience |
| Summer | Special Education and Literacy (6 cr.) | Teaching Lab | Formal Field Experience (3 half days total) | – |
Year Two
| Fall | Math Classes (6 cr.) | Social Studies (6 cr.) | Creative Arts | PK Classroom (1/2 day per week) |
| Spring | Science Classes (6 cr.) | Creative Arts/Social Studies (6 cr.) | Teaching Lab | PK-3 Classroom (1 day per week) |
| Summer | Writing/English (3 cr.) | Teaching Lab | 3-6 Classroom (2 days per week) | – |
Year Three
| Fall | Literacy Classes (6 cr.) | Science Classes (3 cr.) | Math Classes (3 cr.) | Full-Time Student Teaching PK-6 |
| Spring | ESL + Literacy Classes (6 cr.) | Internship Seminar (2 cr.) | School + Society (3 cr.) | Full-Time Student Teaching PK-6 |
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.
16 month program
Schedules are dependent on start and dates and transfer credits.
Year One
| Spring | Childhood Learning and Development (3 cr.) | Learning in Social Contexts (3 cr.) | Literacy Acquisition and Reading – second half (3 cr.) | |
| Summer I | Introduction to Special Education (3 cr.) | Science Education (3 cr.) | ||
| Summer II | Introduction to Research in Educational Settings (3 cr.) |
Year Two
| Fall | Classroom Management (3 cr.) | Studies in Teaching Elementary School Mathematics (3 cr.) | Reading in the Content Areas (3 cr.) | |
| Spring | Capstone Project (3 cr.) | Reading in the Content Areas ( | Practicum Assessment (3 cr.) | Curriculum Workshop (3 cr.) |
Questions?
Contact WMU: Dr. Susan Piazza, Chair of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies
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.
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.
