Elementary Education, B.S.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in elementary education

Advising: 363 Pawley Hall, (248) 370-4182

Internet: http://www.oakland.edu/sehs/advising

Pre-elementary education

Students who wish to pursue an elementary education major are admitted by the Admissions Office and are given pre-elementary education status. Students who hold a baccalaureate degree in another discipline seeking a second undergraduate degree must meet the undergraduate degree program requirements. After admission, students meet with Academic Advisers in the SEHS Advising Office, 363 Pawley Hall, (248) 370-4182, for course selection.

Students in this status may only register for the following categories of coursework: Math (MTH 061 , MTH 062 , STA 225 , MTE 210 ), Writing (WRT 102 , WRT 150 , WRT 160 ), General Education, Major/Minor endorsement area courses, EED 310 , SCS 105  and EED 406 .

Admission to the major

Students who have elementary education candidacy status must complete EED 310  before applying for the major or professional program.

Admission is selective; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the major.

Minimum criteria for admission to the major are:

1. Passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Basic Skills Test. Please note: requesting that MTTC send the student’s scores to OU will not suffice. A photocopy of the student’s score report is mandatory.
2. Completion of STA 225  and 12 credits of the Knowledge Exploration Area with a 2.0 minimum grade in each course. Forty credits of general education requirements must be completed with a 2.0 minimum grade in each course by the end of second semester in the major.
3. A minimum of 70 documented clock hours experience working with children in noncustodial activities, 50 hours within the last three years and 20 hours during the calendar year prior to application. Field experience in EED 310  does not meet this requirement. Examples of activities and documentation forms are available on the website (www.oakland.edu/sehs/advising).
4. Minimum grade of 3.0 in EED 310 . (Previously enrolled OU students must take EED 310  at OU.)
5. Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.80.
6. Submission of a completed application to the SEHS Advising Office.

Qualitative criteria may be required as well. Preference may be given to students who have completed a majority of their credits at Oakland University. The program seeks students who are committed to teaching in a multicultural school or district. Underrepresented students are especially encouraged to apply.

Advising

The SEHS Advising Office is located in 363 Pawley Hall, (248) 370-4182. All first year and transfer students are required to attend an orientation to plan their first semester courses. During the first semester at Oakland, students should schedule an advising appointment to review the program plan and degree requirements. In subsequent semesters, students should schedule advising appointments far in advance of early registration time so that the staff may adequately serve their needs. The adviser’s role is to audit, assist and advise. Ultimately the student is responsible for meeting all degree and graduation requirements.

Program requirements

Oakland University is proud of its strong roots in the liberal arts tradition and the Elementary Education Program reflects that focus. The program is designed to provide a strong general education background paired with an exemplary education major.

Admission to the major is required before beginning the professional sequence. Elementary education students plan their course work with an adviser in the SEHS Advising Office. To earn the BS degree, they must:

1. Complete 130-160 credits (generally over five years) depending on student’s major and minor areas of concentration. At least 32 credits, including the last 8, must be taken at Oakland University and at least 32 credits must be at the 300-level or above. Education credits may not be older than six years upon completion of the program. Courses transferred from NCATEaccredited colleges may be approved.
2. Meet university general education requirements.
3. Complete one teaching major or two teaching minors (described below) with a minimum grade of 2.5 (B-) in each course.
4. Complete pre-professional and professional course work with a minimum grade of 2.8 in each course unless otherwise noted and a minimum grade of 2.0 in EED 455  (2.8 required for recommendation for teaching certification). Pre-professional courses: MTE 210  (2.0), EED 310  (3.0), SCS 105 , EED 406 . Professional courses: EED 354 , EED 420 , FE 310 , FE 315 , EED 316 , IST 396 , MTD 301 , SE 355 , RDG 331 , RDG 333 , EED 302 , EED 305 , EED 470 , and RDG 414  . Students with a major or minor in modern languages must also take EED 428 .
5. Earn a minimum grade of 2.0 in each general education course and maintain a cumulative 2.80 GPA.
6. Be in compliance with all legal curricular requirements for Michigan certification.

General education

Some general education courses fulfill major/minor requirements. Students should consult their adviser before selecting courses. 

Professional program

Upon being admitted to the elementary education program, students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and winter semesters in at least one (1) and no more than four (4) professional education courses. Any waiver to this policy must be approved by the Elementary Education Petition of Exception Committee before the semester for which the waiver is requested. Students must follow the required sequence of courses provided at the time of admission to major. Prerequisites are required for some professional education courses. See course offerings for prerequisites and corequisites. All General Education courses must be completed prior to beginning the third semester of the professional program. Retention in the program is based on student demonstration of the characteristics and conduct of members of the teaching profession.

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 members of the profession as described in the Expected Competencies. Students may be removed from a program, removed from a field placement or may not be recommended for certification: (i) if they fail 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 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 Competency and 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) or community standards or policies; or (x) failure to exercise appropriate; professional judgments.

Field placements: Participation in field placements is required during EED 310  and each semester during which students enroll in a professional education class. The Office of School and Field Services arranges placements that ensure a variety of experiences, including two in urban school districts. Students may be required to be fingerprinted and have a state police and FBI background check, at their expense, before beginning a field placement depending on school district requirements. Internship: EED
455 must be taken in the final semester of the degree program.

Application for the internship, EED 455 , must be made one full academic year in advance of the intended enrollment. Students must check the web page for the date of the required orientation meeting (held in fall semester for both fall and winter student teacher applicants) at which application is made. Admission criteria for the internship are: a) satisfactory grade point average and minimum required grades; b) completion of all professional education course work and field placements; and c) completion of all required course work for the teaching major and/or minors; and d) students placed in K-5 classrooms must have passed the MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) Elementary Education test (83); students placed in a middle school must have passed the MTTC Elementary Education test (83) and the MTTC Endorsement tests for their major and/or minors, prior to beginning the internship semester. Students will be required to be fingerprinted and have a state police and FBI background check at their own expense.

EED 455  may not be repeated.

Students must obtain an approved petition from the Petition of Exception Committee to enroll in more than 12 credits during the internship semester. A minimum grade of 2.0 in EED 455  is required for graduation, a minimum grade of 2.8 for recommendation for certification. Students who do not earn the minimum grade for certification can earn a B.S. without certification.

Michigan teacher certification

To be recommended for a provisional elementary certificate, elementary education majors must successfully complete requirements for the B.S., complete the required courses in either one major, or two minor concentration areas, earn a minimum grade of 2.8 in EED 455 , and successfully pass the elementary education MTTC #83 exam. To be recommended for content area endorsements to the elementary education certificate, students must also successfully pass the subject area tests required by the state. Oakland University requires that the candidate additionally document successful completion of one subject area MTTC test in order to be recommended from this university for certification. 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. (See complete policy on the School and Field Services web site.)

Teaching Certification for Elementary Education: The Michigan Elementary Provisional Certificate is valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-5, all subjects in self-contained classrooms for grades 6-8 in which a majority of the instruction is provided by one teacher, and in teaching majors and minors in departmentalized programs for grades 6-8.