Department of Teacher Development and Educational Studies

485B Pawley Hall
(248) 370-2613
Fax: (248) 370-2639

Department website

Chairperson: Cynthia Carver

Elementary Program Coordinator: Patricia Bills

Secondary Program Coordinator: Anthony Tuf Francis

Professors emeriti: James W. Hughes, M. Sharon P. Muir, Mary T. Stein, Dyanne Tracy, Dawn Pickard, Robert Wiggins

Professors: Ji-Eun Lee, Jon Margerum-Leys

Associate professors: Anica Bowe, Cynthia L. Carver, Anthony Tuf Francis, Michael MacDonald, Paul Weinberg

Assistant professors: Patricia Bills, Linda Doornbos, Danielle Ligocki, Dawn Woods

Special instructor: Lauren Childs

General Information

The Department of Teacher Development and Educational Studies offers programs designed to prepare students for careers in elementary and secondary school teaching. Both programs are approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) and the Michigan Department of Education.

Students who successfully complete the Elementary Education program (offered in conjunction with the Departments of Human Development and Child Studies and Reading and Language Arts) earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakland University and recommendation for a Michigan teaching certificate with PK-3 and 3-6 endorsements (see: Michigan Teacher Certification).

The Department also offers a fifth-year program, the Secondary Teacher Education or STEP program, that prepares students majoring in selected academic fields in the College of Arts and Sciences for recommendation for a Michigan secondary standard certificate. Students interested in secondary education programs should consult the College of Arts and Sciences section of the catalog.

Already have a four-year degree? Students who hold a four-year degree from an accredited college or university will need to complete the Bachelor degree requirements, excluding the general education requirements, or can consider the Master of Arts in Teaching program (elementary or secondary).

Advising

The SEHS Advising Office is located in 363 Pawley Hall, (248) 370-4182. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic adviser at least once per academic year. Academic advisers assist with schedule planning, interpreting degree requirements, admission to major standing, transfer credits, state testing requirements, certification information and graduation audits.

Professional Program

Students must follow the required sequence of courses provided at the time of admission to major. See course offerings for prerequisites and corequisites. All General Education and Professional Education courses must be completed prior to student teaching.

Future Educator Articulation Credit

Future educator articulation provides high school students with an opportunity to earn college credit for work completed in their Michigan Department of Education CTE future educator program in high school. In order to apply for future educator credit, (EED 1000 Careers in Teaching and Education- 1 credit) students must be enrolled in the elementary education program at Oakland University, complete the application for articulation credit and submit a copy of their Future Educator completion certificate from high school. Application and details are available at oakland.edu/teach.

Retention in the SEHS Professional Education Programs

Retention in the SEHS professional education programs is based on the expectation that students will demonstrate the characteristics of and conduct themselves as aspiring members of the teaching profession. Students may be removed from a program, removed from a field placement, or may not be recommended for certification for: (i) failure to fulfill any such expectations to Oakland University’s satisfaction, including, without limitation, the expectation that they demonstrate adequate and appropriate communication ability and character, and develop, maintain and fulfill their professional relationships, responsibilities and competencies: (ii) academic misconduct; (iii) violations of the Michigan Code of Ethics for Teachers; (iv) failure to fulfill any of Oakland University academic or conduct requirements; or (v) violations of any other program or Oakland University’s policies, rules, regulations or ordinances.

Students may also be removed from field placements: (i) upon request of a building administrator; (ii) for a failure to comply with the requirements of this Retention Statement; (iii) if Oakland University determines that removal is in the best interests of the student, Oakland University, the professional education programs, or the schools where the student is placed; (iv) inadequate planning, classroom management, and/or discipline; (v) lack of content knowledge; (vi) deficiency in oral or written communication skills; (vii) inappropriate personal or professional behavior; (viii) ethical impropriety; (ix) violation(s) of community standards or policies; or (x) failure to exercise appropriate, professional judgments.

Field placements: In addition to the Internship, field placements are required in all reading and seminar classes. The Office of School and Field Services arranges placements, including placement in culturally and economically diverse school districts. Depending on school district requirements, students may be required to be fingerprinted and have a state police and FBI background check, at their expense, before beginning a field placement.

Internship: EED 4950 must be taken in the final semester of the degree program.

Application for the internship, EED 4950, must be made one full academic year in advance of the intended enrollment. Students must check the School and Field Services website for the date of the required seminar meeting (held in the fall semester for both fall and winter student teacher applicants). Admission criteria for the internship are: a) satisfactory grade-point average and minimum required grades; b) completion of all professional education coursework and field placements; and c) students placed in PK-6 classrooms must have passed the MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) Elementary Education exam or equivalent. Students will be required to be fingerprinted and have a state police and FBI background check at their own expense.

Students must obtain approval from the Petition of Exception Committee to enroll in more than 12 credits during the internship semester. A minimum grade of (C) in EED 4950 is required for graduation and a minimum grade of (B) for recommendation for certification. Students who do not earn the minimum grade for certification can earn a B.S. without certification with an approved petition of exception.

Michigan Teacher Certification

To be recommended for a Michigan Teaching Certificate at the PK-3 and 3-6 grade bands. Elementary Education majors must successfully complete requirements for the B.S. in Elementary Education degree, earn a minimum grade of a B in EED 4950, and successfully pass the required elementary education MTTC exam. The State also requires a certificate in first aid and adult/child CPR before certification may be recommended. Successful completion of our program and internship does not guarantee certification by the State of Michigan.

Applicants should be aware that a conviction for a felony or misdemeanor may constitute grounds for denial of a certificate by the State of Michigan. Applicants/students are advised that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) certifies applicants to teach in the State of Michigan. Neither successful completion of an Oakland University teacher education program, nor Oakland University’s recommendation to the MDE for certification, guarantees that the MDE will certify any applicant/student to teach.

The MDE, and authorized departments and agencies representing other states, may deny certification to an applicant/student, or suspend or terminate the certification of a certified educator, based upon their criminal record. The criminal record is generally verified through a fingerprint search response conducted by the Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that includes arrests, arraignments, and convictions for any crime, misdemeanor or felony. Visit the MDE website to view the current specifically enumerated or listed offenses that may prohibit certification in Michigan.

Questions regarding the MDE’s professional practices, criminal convictions or school safety laws should be directed to the MDE. If certification will be sought in another state, the applicant/student should contact that state’s department of education or appropriate agency or representative.

A criminal record may also prohibit an applicant/student from being placed as an intern or in a field placement in a school and/or school district. Failure to complete all requirements of an Oakland University teacher education program, including without limitation the successful completion of an internship assignment and/or a field placement, will prohibit the applicant/student from graduating with a degree certified by Oakland University’s School of Education and Human Services, and perhaps from another Oakland University college or school.

Teaching Certification for Elementary Education: The Michigan Teaching Certificate with PK-3 and 3-6 grade bands is valid for teaching all core subjects in grades K-6.

Schedule of classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Course descriptions

For SE course descriptions, see the Department of Human Development and Child Studies; for RDG and DLL courses, see the Department of Reading and Language Arts. The department offers courses from this catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty. Specific offerings for each term may be found in SAIL. All professional courses may be retaken only once.