Students who earn a degree in special education also complete the elementary education program and become certified as elementary and special education teachers. Upon completion of the program, they are highly qualified to teach all subjects in general education classrooms, grades K-5; all subjects in self-contained general education classrooms, grades K-8; children with learning disabilities in grades K-12; and a core subject area (their teaching major) in general education classrooms, grades K-8. Requirements for the Special Education program include:
Advising Guides
University Integrated Studies and Writing Requirements
All undergraduate students at Michigan State University must complete University Integrative Studies and Writing requirements. Course selections are tailored to various majors.
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities
- IAH A Course (IAH 201-209)—4 credits
- IAH B Course (IAH 211-241)—4 credits
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
- 200-level ISS course (4 credits)
- 300-level ISS course (4 credits)
- Note: a 200-level ISS course is a prerequisite for the 300-level ISS course
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in General Science
- ISB course (3 credits)
- Prerequisite or co-requisite: MTH 103
- Integrated Science majors may substitute BS 111
- ISP course (3 credits)
- Prerequisite: MTH 103 or higher
- Integrated Science majors may substitute CEM 141
- Lab course taken concurrently with ISB or ISP course (2 credits)
- Integrated Science majors may substitute BS 111L or CEM 161
- Integrated Science majors may substitute BS 111L or CEM 161
- ISB course (3 credits)
- At least two Integrative Studies courses that emphasize diversity
- one course designated “I” and one designated “N”, or
- one course designated “I” or “N” and one designated “D”
“I” – emphasizes international and multicultural diversity
“N” – emphasizes national diversity
“D” – emphasizes both of above
Writing Requirement
To fulfill the University’s writing requirement a student must:
- Complete a 4-credit Tier I writing course from the Department of Writing, Rhetoric & American Cultures (WRA) formerly called ATL
- Complete the Tier II writing course approved for education and special education majors (TE 301)
Planned Program for Elementary and Special Education: 20-25 credits
All courses listed in the Planned Program are required unless otherwise stated. The Planned Program must total at least 20 credits that are not double-counted with the teaching major.
GPA Requirement: A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for all courses in the Planned Program.
Planned program courses that serve as prerequisites for TE 400-level courses:
- Grades of 2.0 or better in TE 301 and ISE 301 are prerequisites for TE 403 (offered fall semester).
- A grade of 2.0 or better in TE 301 is a prerequisite for TE 404 (offered fall semester).
- Grades of 2.0 or better in TE 403, TE 404 and TE 348 are prerequisites for TE 405 (offered spring semester).
- Grades of 2.0 or better in TE 403, TE 404, MTH 201 and MTH 202 are prerequisites for TE 406 (offered spring semester).
- Both of the following mathematics courses (6 credits counted on the Planned Program): MTH 201 Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I 3 credits MTH 202 Elementary Mathematics for Teachers II 3 credits
- The following course on children’s literature: TE 348 Reading and Responding to Children’s Literature 3 credits
- The following courses on language acquisition and development:
CEP 345 Language Lieteracy Dev & Disord 3 credits CSD 333 Oral Language Development 3-4 credits - The following course on science in elementary schools: ISE 301 Science for Elementary Schools 3 credits
- One of the following U.S. History courses: HST 202 US History to 1876 4 credits
- The following geography course: GEO204 World Regional Geography 3 credits
- One of the following arts courses: IAH 208 Music and Culture 4 credits IAH 209 Art, Visual and Culture 4 credits IAH 241A Music and Society in Modern World 4 credits IAH 241C Cultural Traditions of Europe 4 credits IAH 241D Theater and Society in the West 4 credits IAH 241E The Creative Process 4 credits IAH 241F Traditions in World Art 4 credits
- One of the following creative arts courses: MUS 463 Methods and Materials of Elementary Music 3 credits THR 421 Creative Dramatics 3 credits THR 422 Children’s Theatre 3 credits TE 430 Introduction to Arts in the Classroom 3 credits TE 431 Learning Through Drama 3 credits TE 432 Learning Through Movement 3 credits
- The following Kinesiology course: KIN 355 Physical Activity and Health Education for Elementary Teachers 3 credits
Elementary and Special Education Teaching Majors
In Michigan, special ed teachers are qualified to teach all subjects in grades K-5 (and all subjects in grades K-8 in self-contained classrooms) and the subject area corresponding to their teaching major in grades K-8.
All candidates must choose a special education teaching major. Teaching minors can be added to the teaching major, but they are considered extra and optional. Four special ed teaching majors are available for prospective special ed school teachers: Integrated Science, Language Arts, Mathematics and Social Studies. These majors allow prospective special ed teachers to focus on subject areas central to the core curriculum taught in elementary and middle schools. To enroll in one of these teaching majors, students must be admitted to the College of Education’s Special Education Teacher Preparation Program.
– Integrated Science Teaching Major
All of the following biology courses (17 credits)
| Course | Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS | 161 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BS | 171 | Cell and Molecular Biology Lab | 2 |
| BS | 162 | Organismal and Population Biology | 3 |
| BS | 172 | Organismal and Population Biology Lab | 2 |
| PSL | 250 | Physiology | 4 |
| IBIO | 355 | Ecology | 3 |
NOTE: Students may use BS 161 to satisfy the Integrated Studies requirement in the Biological Sciences and BS 171 to satisfy the laboratory component of the University’s Integrated Studies requirement.
All of the following chemistry courses (8 credits)
| CEM | 141 | General Chemistry | 4 |
| CEM | 142 | General and Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CEM | 161 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
NOTE: Students may use 3 credits of Chemistry 141 to satisfy the Integrated Studies requirement in Physical Science.
All of the following earth science courses (10 credits)
| GLG | 201 | The Dynamic Earth | 4 |
| GEO | 203 | Introduction to Meteorology | 3 |
| AST | 207 | The Science of Astronomy | 3 |
One of the following mathematics courses (3-5 credits)
| MTH | 114 | Trigonometry | 3 |
| MTH | 116 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | 5 |
All of the following natural science courses (7 credits)
| ISE | 120 | Integrated Science Seminar (Spring) | 1 |
| ISE | 320 | Integrated Science for K-8 Schools (Spring) | 3 |
| ISE | 420 | Integrated Science Research for K-8 (Fall) | 3 |
Integrated Science majors are waived out of ISE 301 on the Elementary Education Planned Program.
All the following physics courses (8 credits)
| PHY | 231 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
| PHY | 232 | Introductory Physics II | 3 |
| PHY | 251 | Introductory Physics Lab I | 1 |
| PHY | 252 | Introductory Physics Lab II | 1 |
One of the following statistics courses (3-4 credits):
| STT | 200 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| or | |||
| STT | 201 | Statistical Methods | 4 |
TOTAL Credits: 56-59
– Language Arts Teaching Major
Must complete at least 36 Credits with a minimum of 17 to 18 credits at the 300-400 level
1. Language, Literacy, and Culture (11 to 15 credits):
*a. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 302 | Introduction to English Language Studies | 3 |
| LIN 200 | Introduction to Language | 3 |
| LIN 401 | Introduction to Linguistics | 4 |
NOTES:
One course from this category is also required for the Elementary Planned Program but the credits will count on Language Arts. Therefore, the course must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0.
b. The following course (3 credits)
| CSD 333 | Oral Language Development | 3 |
c. Two of the following courses (5 to 8 credits)
| COM 391 | Topics in Verbal, Intercultural, or Gender Communication | 4 |
| ENG 404 | English Dialects | 3 |
| ENG 405 | Language Use in the African-American Community | 3 |
| IAH 231C | Themes and Issues: Roles of Language in Society | 4 |
| LIN 471 | Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| LLT 307 | Methods of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| LLT 361 | Second and Foreign Language Learning | 3 |
| LLT 362 | Child Second Language Learning | 3 |
2. Writing, Rhetoric, and Design (6 to 8 credits)
a. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 223 | Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Writing | 3 |
| ENG 226 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENG 228 | Introduction to Fiction Writing | 3 |
| ENG 229 | Introduction to Poetry Writing | 3 |
| ENG 232 | Writing as Exploration | 3 |
| ENG 327 | Introduction to Playwriting | 3 |
| JRN 200 | Gathering and Writing News | 3 |
| TE 458 | Reading, Writing, and Teaching Poetry | 3 |
| WRA 260 | Rhetoric, Persuasion, and Culture | 3 |
| WRA 308 | Invention in Writing | 3 |
| WRA 320 | Technical Writing | 3 |
b. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
| CEP 416 | Teaching and Learning with Technology | 3 |
| JRN 310 | Photojournalism I | 3 |
| JRN 336 | Designing for Print and Online | 3 |
| JRN 445 | Images and Messages | 3 |
| JRN 491 | Special Topics Laboratory in Covering News | 3 |
| JRN 409 | Topics in Advising Student Publications | 3 |
| STA 110 | Drawing I | 3 |
| STA 113 | Color and Design | 3 |
| STA 114 | Three-Dimensional Form | 3 |
| STA 371 | Art, Education and Society | 3 |
| WRA 210 | Introduction to Web Authoring | 3 |
| WRA 360 | Visual Rhetoric | 3 |
| WRA 417 | Multimedia Writing | 3 |
3. Text, Media, and Interpretation (12 to 16 credits)
NOTE: Two courses must be at the 300-400 level.
a. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 126 | Introduction to Literary Genres | 4 |
| ENG 129 | Introduction to Poetry | 4 |
| ENG 204 | Topics in North American Literatures | 3 |
| ENG 205 | Topics in British Literatures | 3 |
| ENG 206 | Topics in Global Literatures | 3 |
| ENG 210 | Introduction to the Study of English | 3 |
| ENG 314 | Readings in American Literature | 3 |
| ENG 315 | Readings in British Literature | 3 |
| ENG 316 | Readings in Irish Literature | 3 |
b. One or two of the following courses (3 or 8 credits)
| AMS 210 | American Popular Culture | 4 |
| COM 275 | Effects of Mass Communication | 3 |
| ENG 130 | Film and Society | 3/4 |
| ENG 140 | Literature and Society | 4 |
| ENG 142 | Introduction to Popular Literary Genres | 4 |
| ENG 230 | Introduction to Film | 4 |
| ENG 231 | Film and Literature | 4 |
| ENG 330 | Classical Film and Media Theory | 4 |
| ENG 331 | Contemporary Film and Media Theory | 3 |
| ENG 332 | Historical Approaches to Film | 3 |
| ENG 333 | Studies in Film Genres | 3 |
| ENG 342 | Readings in Popular Literary Genres | 3 |
| ENG 478A | Literature, Technology, and Representation | 3 |
| ENG 478B | Literature and Visual Culture | 3 |
| JRN 108 | The World of Media | 3 |
| WRA 260 | Rhetorical Analysis of American Cultures for Professional Writing | 3 |
| WRA 415 | Digital Rhetoric | 3 |
One or two of the following courses (3 or 8 credits)
| ASN 464 | Studies in the Literature of Asia and the Asian Diaspora (W) | 3 |
| CLA 360 | Ancient Novel in English Translation (W) | 3 |
| ENG 153 | Introduction to Women Authors | 4 |
| ENG 218 | Introduction to Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG 265 | Classical Myths and Literature | 3 |
| ENG 318 | Readings in Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG 320A | Methodologies of Literary History: Genre | 4 |
| ENG 320B | Methodologies of Literary History: Region, School, or Movement | 4 |
| ENG 320C | Methodologies of Literary History: Canon Formation | 4 |
| ENG 323 | Readings in Nonfiction | 3 |
| ENG 324 | Readings in Epic | 3 |
| ENG 326 | Readings in Drama and Performance Studies | 3 |
| ENG 328 | Readings in Novel and Narrative | 3 |
| ENG 329 | Readings in Poetry and Poetics | 3 |
| ENG 350 | Readings in African, African Amer., or African Diaspora Lit | 3 |
| ENG 351 | Readings in Chicano/a/Latino/a Literature | 3 |
| ENG 353 | Readings in Women Writers | 3 |
| ENG 354 | Readings in Native American Literature | 3 |
| ENG 355 | Readings in Sexuality and Literature | 3 |
| RUS 231 | 19th-Century Russian Literature in Translation | 3 |
| RUS 232 | 20th-Century Russian Literature in Translation | 3 |
| TE 448 | Issues of Diversity in Children’s and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
4. Speech, Performance, and Communication (3 to 4 credits)
One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CEP 460 | Communication Skill Training for the Helping Professional | 3 |
| COM 100 | Human Communication | 3 |
| COM 225 | An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COM 240 | Introduction to Organizational Communication | 4 |
| THR 101 | Acting 1 | 3 |
| THR 421 | Creative Dramatics | 3 |
| THR 422 | Children’s Theatre | 3 |
5. Children’s literature
The following course
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| *TE 348 | Reading and Responding to Children’s Literature | 3 |
This course is also required for the Elementary Planned Program. See notes below.
6. Electives
Additional credits in courses in English, linguistics, language learning and teaching, communications, journalism, theatre, or writing, rhetoric, and American cultures as needed to satisfy the requirement of at least 36 credits in this integrated teaching major.
Notes
- For Special Education and Child Development majors, the three credits for TE 348 are counted toward the Language Arts teaching major
- If you have already taken a course that has been discontinued, it will still count toward the Language Arts major.
*Courses in these areas are also required in the Elementary Planned Program and therefore must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0.
– Mathematics Teaching Major
Admission to this teaching major is limited and requires a supplemental application. Examples of factors that may be considered in admission decisions related specifically to this teaching major include:
- Overall GPA at MSU
- ACT or SAT scores in Mathematics
- AP credits in Calculus 1 and Calculus 2
- GPA and individual grades in Mathematics courses taken at MSU and other post-secondary institutions, with grades in transfer courses treated as equivalent to grades in MSU courses
- Number of higher-level Mathematics courses taken (MTH 132, 133, 201, 202 or higher); applicants are expected to successfully complete four such courses by the end of the sophomore year
Courses
All of the following:
| Course Number | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MTH 132 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MTH 133 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MTH 201* | Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I | 3 |
| MTH 202* | Elementary Mathematics for Teachers II | 3 |
| MTH 301 | Foundations of Higher Mathematics | 3 |
| MTH 304 (290 FS10) | Algebra for K-8 Teachers | 3 |
| MTH 305 (490 SS11) | Functions and Calculus for K-8(Prereq MTH 330) | 3 |
| MTH 330 | Higher Geometry | 3 |
| MTHE 430 | History of Mathematics | 3 |
*MTH 201 and MTH 202 must be passed with a grade of 2.0 or higher before a student is eligible to take TE 406.
One course from the following:
| STT 250 | Statistics and Probability for K-8 Teachers | 4 |
| STT 201 | Statistical Methods | 4 |
| Total | 32 |
– Social Studies Teaching Major
Courses
All of the following courses (46 credits)
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EC 201 | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
| EC 202 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 |
| GEO 204* | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| GEO 221 | Intro Geographic Information | 3 |
| GEO 330 | Geography of the U.S. & Canada | 3 |
| GEO 333 | Geography of Michigan | 3 |
| HST 140 | World History to 1500 | 4 |
| HST 150 | World History since 1500 | 4 |
| HST 201 | Historical Methods and Skills | 3 |
| HST 202* | U.S. History to 1876 | 4 |
| HST 203 | U.S. History Since 1876 | 4 |
| HST 320 | History of Michigan | 3 |
| PLS 100 | Intro to American National Government | 3 |
| PLS 140 | Government & Politics of the World | 3 |
One of the following courses (3 credits)
| HST 310 | African American History to 1876 | 3 |
| HST 311 | African American History since 1876 | 3 |
| HST 312 | African American Women | 3 |
| HST 313 | Women in the U.S. to 1869 | 3 |
| HST 314 | Women in the U.S. since 1869 | 3 |
| HST 327 | History of Mexican Americans in U.S. | 3 |
| HST 378 | Native Americans in North America to 1830 | 3 |
| HST 379 | Native Americans in North America from 1830 | 3 |
*GEO 204 & HST 202 are also required in the Planned Program and therefore must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0.
Additional (Optional) Teaching Majors or Minors
Students who wish to add one or more approved disciplinary teaching majors or disciplinary teaching minors to their required teaching major may do so, but this is optional.
A given course may not be counted toward requirements for both the teaching major and the Planned Program for Elementary Education. However, because disciplinary majors and minors are considered extra, courses can be double-counted.
Other Degree Options
In addition to the Elementary Education degree major, the Special Education degree major in the College of Education and the Child Development degree major in the College of Social Science are available to students seeking elementary certification. The Child Development major (with teacher certification emphasis) leads to elementary certification and the Early Childhood Education (“ZS”) endorsement to teach at the PreK-K level. Students interested in earning elementary certification and a degree in Child Development should see an advisor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies [HDFS] and the HDFS section in Academic Programs for more information. The Special Education major leads to elementary certification and a K-12 endorsement to teach children with special needs (e.g., Learning Disabilities).
Required Professional Education Courses for Special Education
The following courses are required for students pursuing elementary certification with a degree major in Special Education. Additional courses are required during the 5th year teaching internship (TE 501, CEP 502A, CEP 801A, CEP 802A, CEP 803A and CEP 804A).
TE 150 Reflections on Learning (3 credits)
- Description: Students’ experiences as learners in comparison to psychological, sociological, and anthropological theories and assumptions about learning and teaching in and out of school.
- Restrictions: This course is not restricted and can be taken by students before admission to the teaching preparation program.
CEP 240 (3 credits)
- Description: Communicative, linguistic, physical, sensory, behavioral, affective and cognitive differences in learning in multicultural classrooms. Factors that mediate access to knowledge.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students in the following majors: CSD, Kinesiology, Chid Development and Special Education-Learning Disabilities. It can be taken before admission to the teacher preparation program.
TE 301 Literacy, Learners, and Learning in Context – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Language and literacy development in sociocultural context at the elementary level (K-8). Natural and socially constructed differences among learners. How to learn about a child. Ten components of literacy. Assessment. Reading or writing related disability.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program. The course is most often taken during the junior year.
TE 403 Teaching of Science to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Teaching science to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Science subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the fall semester.
- Prerequisites: Grades of at least 2.0 in TE 301 and ISE 301
TE 404 Teaching of Social Studies to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Teaching social studies to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Social studies subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the fall semester
- Prerequisite: Grade of at least 2.0 in TE 301
TE 405 Teaching of Language and Literacy to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Teaching language and literacy to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Literacy subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the spring semester.
- Prerequisites: Grades of at least 2.0 in TE 403, TE 404 and TE 348
TE 406 Teaching of Mathematics to Diverse Learners – Elementary (3 credits)
- Description: Teaching mathematics to diverse learners at the elementary level (K-8). Inquiry into and construction of subject-specific meaning. Mathematics subject matter adapted to learner diversity. Teachers’ roles, including professional, intellectual, and sociopolitical responsibilities.
- Restrictions: This course is restricted to students who have been admitted to the elementary teacher certification program, and it requires a classroom field placement. The course is most often taken in the senior year during the spring semester.
- Prerequisites: Grades of at least 2.0 in TE 403, TE 404, MTH 201 and MTH 202
Special Education-Learning Disabilities Course Plan
The following two courses can be taken before admission to the College of Education:
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CEP 345 | Language and Literacy Development and Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
The following four courses can only be taken after admission to the College of Education
| CEP 301 | Literacy Instruction for Students with Mild Impairments (Spring Semester) | 3 |
| CEP 449 | Behavior Management in Special Education (Spring Semester) | 3 |
| CEP 451 | Models of Special Education Administration and Services (Fall Semester) | 3 |
| CEP 452 | Universal Design for Learning in the General Education Classroom (Fall Semester) | 3 |
The following courses are required during the Elementary Teacher Certification/Special Education Internship Year :
| TE 501 | Internship in Teaching Diverse Learners I | 6 |
| CEP 502A | Internship in Teaching Diverse Learners II: Learning Disabilities | 6 |
| CEP 801A | Professional Role in Teaching Special Education I: Collaboration and Consultation | 3 |
| CEP 802A | Reflection and Inquiry in Teaching Special Education I: Mild Impairment | 3 |
| CEP 803A | Professional Role in Teaching Special Education II: Assessment of Mild Impairment | 3 |
| CEP 804A | Reflection and Inquiry in Teaching Special Education II: Mild Impairment | 3 |
NOTE: Many courses have prerequisites. Check the schedule of courses.