Family and Consumer Sciences

Classroom instructor

Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5322 USA
(269) 387-3704

Industrial Technology Education

This program is offered in-person.

This program offers an Accelerated Graduate Degree Program.

As Michigan’s skill trades shortage continues to grow, industrial technology instructors play a critical role in motivating youth to pursue the careers of tomorrow. This major prepares students to teach industrial technology courses at the middle or high school level. Industrial technology teachers are in high demand across the country. Most of the recent graduates in this major have secured teaching positions in the State of Michigan before graduating or immediately upon graduation. The industrial technology teacher shortage is expected to grow in the coming years.

"There was not a single class that was not applicable to what I am doing today."

- Lauren, alumna

100%

100% of WFED graduates were employed or continuing education within 3 months of graduation.

99%

Michigan school principles ranked 99% of new teachers prepared at WMU as "effective" or "highly effective".

Real-world

Students in this program complete a pre-internship and an internship in the field before graduating.

Variety

Largest selection of career and technical educational course offerings in the state of Michigan.

Additional information

Accreditation: The industrial technology major is an approved State Board of Education and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) teacher education program.

Certification: This degree program leads to a State of Michigan Standard Certificate, which can include a Standard CTE Vocational Certificate.

  • Woodshop

  • Renewable Energies

  • Drafting/Computer-aided Design

  • Construction Trades

  • Robotics

  • Mechatronics

  • Metals

  • Polymer Technology

  • Electrical/Electronics

  • Welding

  • Plumbing/HVAC

  • Machining/CNC

Many teachers within this teaching area advise Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) such as SkillsUSA.

There are two options within this major (vocational vs. non-vocational). Per state requirements, the main difference is that vocational majors are required to document 4,000 hours of recent and relevant work experience in the industrial area in which they would like to teach. The student can go back as far as 10 years to document these hours. This work experience can be completed while the student pursues the degree.

Graduates without a vocational endorsement typically teach woodshop/drafting in a traditional middle or high school setting.

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