WMU adds three undergraduate education majors, two concentrations

KALAMAZOO—Acting at its April meeting, the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved the addition of three new interdisciplinary undergraduate majors in education and two new concentrations in an existing recreation major.

The new majors—secondary integrated science education, elementary/middle school mathematics and elementary/middle school integrated science—are available to students beginning in the fall 2014 semester, as are the two new recreation concentrations in sport management and recreation management.

Secondary integrated science

Secondary integrated science is a collaborative program between the Department of Geosciences and the College of Education and Human Development. It is designed for students who want to teach science in grades six to 12 and will be a second major for those students who are majoring in biology, chemistry, earth science or physics teaching.

It is expected this major will be in high demand due to the statewide and national shortage of qualified middle and high school science teachers. This is particularly true in Michigan due to the integrated approach to science in the middle schools. Students with this second major will be able to teach courses in a particular discipline in addition to more general science courses.

Elementary/middle school mathematics

The elementary/middle school mathematics major was proposed in response to mandates from the Michigan Department of Education. Beginning this fall, students with a bachelor's degree in elementary education will be required to choose one content major from four areas: language arts, mathematics, science or social studies. Students who choose this new major will satisfy the mathematics area. The new major required the creation of three new courses that have completed the curriculum change process.

Elementary/middle school integrated science

The elementary/middle school integrated science major was also proposed to meet the new mandates from the Michigan Department of Education. All courses required for this major are already being taught on a regular basis.

Trustees also voted to add two new concentrations to the recreation major—sport management and recreation management. The additions will create clearer options for students in this area of study. The sport management concentration will require a minor, while the recreation management concentration will not.

For more information, contact the advising office in the College of Education and Human Development at (269) 387-3474.