Department of Teaching and Learning

Department Website

The Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education and Human Services offers programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels designed to prepare students to become transformative educators who strive to meet the needs of all children. Specifically, DTL offers service learning courses in the social foundations of education, as well as courses related to the teaching of art, literacy, mathematics, modern language, science, and social studies. These courses support learning in teacher preparation programs, graduate certificate and endorsement programs, and graduate degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels. The programs offered in DTL are rigorous, clinically rich and practice based, and share a core focus on teaching for social justice and equity.

Professional Program

Students must follow the required sequence of courses provided at the time of admission to major standing. 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 one or more of the following conditions: (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 policies, rules, regulations or ordinances.

Students may also be removed from field placements for one or more of the following conditions: (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-3 and 3-6 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.

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. in Elementary Education 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 current certificate in a Michigan Department of Education approved first aid and adult/child CPR training before certification may be recommended. Successful completion of our program and internship does not guarantee certification by the State of Michigan. See more information about teacher certification at: SEHS Advising.