Education (EDC)

Alma students may seek either secondary or elementary certification and an endorsement in Early Childhood Education. No course may count for more than one Teaching Major or Minor: Students seeking the double majors of History and Social Studies must see the Education Department chair.

Michigan Secondary Provisional Certificate

This certificate allows teaching in grades 6-12 in subjects in which the candidate has a major or minor. To be recommended for certification, the candidate must complete the following:

1. A Teaching Major and a Teaching Minor (or two teaching majors) with a 2.75 CPA in each.
2. EDC 200 in the sophomore year.
3. EDC 201 and 220 concurrently in the sophomore or junior year. (EDC 200 and PSY 121 are prerequisites for these courses.)
4. EDC 320, 330, 346, and 353 in the junior or senior year (prerequisite: admission to TEP required).
5. EDC 348, 445, 490s and 491s in the senior year (prerequisite: admission to TEP required).
6. Students must also pass the subject area tests in both their subject area major(s) and/or minor(s).
7. Students must provide proof of valid CPR and First Aid cards as required by the Michigan Department of Education.

Secondary education students who major in Art or Music and who qualify for the secondary certificate may extend their certification to include grades K-5 by taking the appropriate elementary methods course(s) (Art — EDC 306, EDC 345; Music — EDC 344).

Secondary Teaching Majors and Minors

Alma College offers the following teaching majors and/or minors for students seeking secondary certification:

Art (Visual Arts Education; K-12 comprehensive major only)

Biology (major or minor)

Chemistry (major or minor)

Computer Science (major only)

English (major or minor)

French (major or minor, pending state approval)

German (major or minor, pending state approval)

History (major or minor)

Mathematics (major or minor)

Music (K-12 comprehensive major only)

Physical Education (major only)

Physics (major or minor)

Political Science (major or minor)

Social Studies (major only, taken with History major)

Spanish (major or minor, pending state approval)

Course requirements for Teaching Majors and Minors are subject to change and reflect compliance with the standards and rules established by the Michigan State Board of Education.

Course requirements for each of these majors and minors are in the department listings. If requirements for a Teaching Major or Minor are not listed separately, students seeking certification should consult with the department chair to determine departmental requirements. Students seeking a Social Studies group major should consult with the Chair of the Education Department. Majors and minors not listed here are not approved for certification.

Michigan Elementary Provisional Certificate

This certificate permits teaching in grades K-5 all subjects and K-8 self-contained classroom, and, if desired, 6-8 in a content area minor or major. To be recommended the candidate must complete the following:

1. A major in Elementary Education which includes 24 credits of professional education courses and 24 credits of methods and materials. A 2.75 CPA is required for the major.
   1. Freshman year, or later: EDC 142a or 142b, HST 228 or SOA 241 (or approved substitute course focusing on multicultural education), and either PHL 126 or 235 (235 preferred) or an approved ethics course (PHL 225, 227, 228 or 229).
   2. Sophomore or Junior year: EDC 201 and 220 (PSY 121 and EDC 142 are prerequisites), MTH 202 (or approved substitute for Mathematics Minors) passed with a grade of 'C' or better.
   3. Junior year: EDC 305, 341, 342.
   4. Junior or Senior year: EDC 304, 320, 330, 340, 353.
   5. Senior year: EDC 440, 490e and 491e.
2. Two content Teaching Minors with a 2.75 CPA in each; one Minor may be a Group Minor. (A content Teaching Major and a Teaching Minor may replace the two Teaching Minors. Two Teaching Majors may also replace the two Teaching Minors.)
3. The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in Elementary Education (passing score required). NOTE: Elementary candidates must pass State tests in their subject area minors or majors to be certified in these subjects.
4. Students must provide proof of valid CPR and First Aid cards as required by the Michigan Department of Education.

Students who major in Elementary Education and earn a second major in Art or Music and seek K-12 endorsement in that second major area must complete an additional four credits in Directed Teaching (EDC 492) in their specialty. These credits are in addition to the total required for certification.

Elementary Teaching Majors and/or Minors, and an Early Childhood Endorsement

Alma College candidates seeking elementary certification are required to obtain an Elementary Education major and two Teaching Minors. Candidates may obtain an Elementary Education major, a Teaching Major and one Teaching Minor.

Elementary Education (major required)

Early Childhood Education (endorsement only, not a minor)

English (minor only)

French (major or minor, pending state approval)

German (major or minor, pending state approval)

History (major or minor)

Integrated Science (group minor only)

Language Arts (minor only, pending state approval)

Mathematics (major or minor)

Political Science (minor only)

Social Studies (group minor only)

Spanish (major or minor, pending state approval)

K-12 comprehensive majors: Art (Visual Arts Education) and Music are K-12 comprehensive majors which are only Michigan Department of Education approved for secondary certification. No minor required.

Elementary group minors are available in Integrated Science and Social Studies. Course requirements for Teaching Majors and Minors are subject to change and reflect compliance with the standards and rules established by the Michigan State Board of Education.

Course requirements for each of these majors and minors are in the department listings (Integrated Science and Social Studies Elementary Group Minor requirements are in the Education listings). If requirements for a Teaching Major or Minor are not listed separately, students seeking certification should consult with the department chair to determine departmental requirements. Majors and minors not listed here are not approved for certification.

Language Arts Minor

Twenty-four credits which must include ENG 133; ENG 220; COM 220; ENG 250, 251, 260 or 261; ENG 200, 210, or another writing class approved by the English Department (Note: If ENG 210 is selected, a 2-credit independent study in writing is required); COM 101, 111, 123/THD 123, or 227.

Prerequisites include ENG 101 or proficiency, EDC 142a and 142b (Note: This is different from admission to TEP which requires 142a or 142b). The following EDC courses required for the Elementary Education major are necessary to meet all of the State Language Arts Standards; however, these courses do not count for the Language Arts minor: EDC 201 and 220, 304 and 340, 330, 440, 490e and 491e.

Certification requirements are subject to change by action of the State Board of Education and may not be reflected in this catalog.

Additional Requirements

In addition to completing appropriate coursework in the Education Department and in the majors and minors, students must meet grade requirements and demonstrate personal characteristics suitable for entering the teaching profession. These certification requirements are reviewed three times, and students are advised of their progress.

Classroom Placement Students — Background Check

Michigan school districts require anyone who has contact with children in their school buildings, including staff or volunteers, to provide the district with documentation that he or she has not been placed on the central registry for substantiated abuse or neglect. All students who have an Education course with a classroom placement must have a background check completed at the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Ithaca, Mich. prior to beginning in their assigned classroom. This service is free of charge and DHS records must be current. See the Education Department Field Experience Coordinator for more details.

Student Teachers — Fingerprinting Procedure

School districts require fingerprinting of student teachers. All student teachers must have the Criminal Background Check Livescan fingerprinting procedure completed by April 15 prior to beginning student teaching in their assigned district. Livescan may be completed at the RESD in Ithaca, Mich. and is a statewide procedure. A fee is charged for this service and fingerprint records must be valid within one year. See the Education Department chair for more details.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)

The faculty, through the Teacher Education Committee (TEC), reviews all applicants and judges their suitability for entrance to the program during the student's sophomore year. Judgment of this suitability is based on the following:

1. Formal application for admission to the TEP, including completion of a writing component, submitted by the deadline posted in the Education Bay. This must be completed during the sophomore year. If you have any questions, please see the secretary or Chair of the Education Department. (Students who decide to seek teacher certification after the sophomore year can be admitted late but may require extra time to complete the program.)
2. A cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.75 and evidence of proficiency in basic writing and mathematics skills. Proficiency is a grade of 'C' or above in ENG 101 and MTH 101 or placement in a course beyond 101 via placement test.
3. Passing scores on the Michigan Basic Skills Test.
4. Two recommendations from faculty at Alma College and recommendation of the Education Department.
5. Evidence that the student is making an effort to acquire competence in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.
6. Evidence that the applicant has personal characteristics conducive to success in the teaching profession.
7. Good standing (not on academic, social or administrative probation).

Social Studies Group Major

All Secondary Teaching students who wish to declare a Social Studies Group Major must also declare a major in History. Students MUST see the Education Department chair for advising on this major.

Forty-eight credits which must include:

1. ECN 201 and 202.
2. GGR 101, 102, and 201.
3. HST 100, 101, 104, and 105; and one course selected from HST 253, 255, or 260 (students may double count up to two of the above HST courses for the HST teaching major and the SST group teaching major).
4. EDC 445s.
5. Take and pass the MTTC Social Studies test.

No course below 2.0 may count toward a Social Studies Group Major; a 2.75 CPA is required.

Note: The HST and SST majors will also complete 29 credits of EDC courses for teacher certification in addition to the Distributive Requirements.

Group Minors

Admission to Student Teaching

The Teacher Education Committee (TEC) reviews a student for admission to Directed Teaching (Education 490-491). For full approval students must have the following:

1. Admission to the TEP.
2. A formal application for student teaching submitted by November 15 of the academic year prior to student teaching.
3. A 2.75 CPA.
4. A 2.75 CPA in the area of concentration (Major field) and demonstrated knowledge in this content area.
5. A 2.75 CPA in Education courses.
6. Passing scores on the Basic Skills Tests as required by the State of Michigan.
7. Endorsement of the department chair in the Teaching Major(s).
8. In compliance with State of Michigan specifications, satisfactory demonstration of:
   1. High academic achievement.
   2. Successful group work with children in classroom placements.
   3. Knowledge of research-based teaching.
   4. Working knowledge of modern technology and use of computers. This requirement will be met as students progress through the TEP.

Early Childhood Education (ZA) Endorsement

Students who are working toward elementary certification requirements may qualify for this additional endorsement by meeting the following requirements:

1. EDC 182, The Infant and Young Child in the Family and Society. (4 credits)
2. EDC 183, Introduction to Early Childhood. (4 credits)
3. EDC 282, Involving Parents and Community. (2 credits)
4. EDC 383, Curriculum and Methods in Early Childhood Education. (4 credits)
5. EDC 493, Directed Teaching in Early Childhood Education. (5 credits)
6. SOA 220, Sociology of Family. (4 credits)
7. Passing scores on the Basic Skills Tests as required by the State of Michigan.

Students pursuing an Early Childhood Education Endorsement will be required to earn the American Red Cross Certificate in First Aid and CPR for adults, infants and children.

Students must pass the Subject Area State test for Elementary Education plus the Subject Area Test for Early Childhood Education to be recommended for certification.

Waiver of Directed Teaching

In compliance with the ruling of the Michigan State Board of Education (Rule 390.1124, (3) a and b), a graduate of Alma College who has completed all other certification requirements as outlined, with the exception of student teaching, may apply to the College for a waiver of five of the 10 required credits of student teaching. This may be done by those who have:

1. Three years of successful teaching experience at the appropriate level and have earned a master's degree; or
2. Five years of successful teaching at the appropriate level with less than the master's degree.

Evaluation of the success of the teaching experience is made by the Teacher Education Committee, which receives recommendations from school personnel directly responsible for the supervision of the teacher and from a member of the Education Department of the College who visits the employing school whenever possible. Post-graduates must meet current catalog and certification requirements.

Candidacy for Michigan Teacher Certification

Prior to being recommended for the Michigan Provisional Certificate, the Alma College candidate must meet these requirements:

1. Hold a bachelor's degree.
2. Have attained a CPA of 2.75 both in the Teaching Major and overall.
3. Have attained a CPA of 2.75 in Education courses.
4. Have attained a CPA of 2.75 for a Teaching Minor. Additionally, no grade lower than a 2.0 may be presented for any course in a Group Teaching Minor.
5. Have completed all coursework for teaching minors.
6. Have successfully completed student teaching.
7. Meet all current requirements for certification specified by the Michigan Department of Education.
8. Have the recommendation (endorsement) of the department chair in the Teaching Major(s).
9. Pass the Subject Area Tests in Teaching Major(s) and Minor(s) required by the State of Michigan prior to being recommended for certification.
10. Students must provide proof of valid CPR and First Aid cards as required by the Michigan Department of Education.

The Provisional Certificate is valid for a six-year period and should be replaced by the Continuing Certificate. To qualify for the Continuing Certificate, the candidate must have taught successfully for three years and must have taken a minimum of 18 additional semester hours in a planned course of study beyond the bachelor's degree. The Provisional Certificate may be renewed for a three-year period with the completion of 10 additional hours beyond the bachelor's degree.

Additional Endorsements

Holders of Michigan Secondary or Elementary Certificates who wish to add Elementary, Early Childhood or Secondary Endorsements shall present a Planned Program approved by Alma's Education Department.

Additional Notes

1. For EDC 201 and 220 'successful completion' is defined as a minimum grade of B/C and evidence that the applicant has characteristics conducive to professional success in teaching as demonstrated by the student in his/her classroom placement performance as determined by the Department in consultation with the K-12 placement teacher.
2. Admission to the Teacher Education Program is now a prerequisite for all classes at the 300 level and above.
3. Students pursuing the Early Childhood endorsement will be required to earn the American Red Cross Certificate in First Aid and CPR.
4. As required by Title II of the Higher Education Act, Alma College reports a 100 percent pass rate for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification. A complete copy of Alma College's Title II report is available upon request from the Education Department at (989) 463-7357 or may be found online at www.alma.edu.