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Candidates for undergraduate teacher certification earn a degree in an approved major program.

Teacher Preparation

The College of Education and Community Innovation, in conjunction with other departments at Grand Valley, prepares students for teacher certification to work with students from birth through 12th grade.

Visit the program website for more information.

Students are admitted directly into this program.

Program Overview

Teacher preparation at Grand Valley State University includes:

  • Birth to kindergarten
  • Elementary education
  • Secondary education
  • Special education
  • Graduate teacher certification

Teachers must have strong spoken and written communication, leadership, and human relationship skills. These attributes may open doors to other fields related to classroom teaching. Teachers who have had some teaching experience and additional coursework may also be eligible for positions in the fields of administration, counseling, and social work.

Why Study Education at Grand Valley?

  • With a commitment to educational principles such as active learning, interaction of theory and practice, and learning relevancy, the education programs offers students the type of personalized attention needed to become leaders in their fields.
  • Undergraduate education programs are approved by the Michigan Department of Education and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
  • Undergraduate education courses are taught by faculty members who have extensive teaching and administrative backgrounds
  • Scholarships are available to students admitted to the College of Education and Community Innovation.
  • Candidates with a bachelor's degree who desire certification may be eligible for an accelerated one-year program at the graduate level that earns credits toward a master's degree.

Location & Format

All undergraduate students begin their academic careers on the Allendale Campus. Students in this major continue their upper-division studies downtown on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Format:
  • Face To Face

Coursework

Candidates for undergraduate teacher certification earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in an approved major program.

In addition to their degree requirements, students seeking teacher certification must meet the requirements of a teachable major and complete the education major/professional education requirements.

Students must also pass the appropriate Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC): mttc.nesinc.com.

Admission Requirements

Visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements.

For More Information

College of Education and Community Innovation

nigzob.com/education/undergraduate
401 Fulton Street West, Building C
(616) 331-6650
[email protected]

Admissions and Recruitment Office

nigzob.com/admissions

 

“Grand Valley is leaving me well prepared for the profession I am going into. Through the classes I've taken I am ready to interview for a teaching position, set up my own classroom, and provide for the children I will teach what they need in an education.”

SHANNON WHITLOW
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION