Workforce Education and Development Program
The Western Michigan University Workforce Education and Development (WFED) program has options for those seeking to become career and technical education instructors, technical trainers in business and industry and career development specialists.
Career and Technical Teacher Education Programs
- B.A. in Business Education
- B.A. in Industrial Technology Education
- B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education
- Minor in Industrial Technology Education
Students desiring to become a career and technical educator can specialize in the areas of Business Education, Industrial Technology Education, or Family and Consumer Sciences. Per state requirements, these programs involve a series of technical content courses, workforce education teacher education courses, and a semester-long internship experience at a school or regional technical center. Due to the national and state level critical shortage of CTE teachers, graduates from these majors are in high demand.
Workforce Education Programs
Starting in Fall of 2018, the WFED program began offering a major and minor in Workforce Education and Development. The major is cross-disciplinary and allows students to acquire technical training skills while focusing on areas of personal interest. The major includes a customized field experience and an internship that is intended to align with student interest and career goals. The 18 credit minor focuses exclusively on technical training and curriculum design, which pairs well with a variety of majors. Graduates from these programs would be suitable for technical training and education positions that are outside of the certified teacher K-12 school environment.
Graduate Programs
The WFED program offers two M.A. degrees and a graduate certificate in WFED. The WFED program also offers the courses needed to complete Michigan’s Standard CTE certificate.