Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

University Center-Macomb

Bachelor of Arts/Science in Elementary Education

The WSU Elementary Education Program at University Center offers a Bachelor of Science or Arts in Elementary Education. Students may choose to major in either Group Science or Mathematics. The Group Science major includes courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. Both majors also include additional methods courses offered by the College of Education. A minor in Science or Math is optional. The elementary certificate earned in this program qualifies the holder to teach all subjects in K-8 in a self-contained classroom, and K-5 in all subjects. Additionally, the major and minor subjects may be taught in the sixth through eighth grades.

Why Choose Teaching as a Career?

The challenge of teaching as a profession has never been greater. Increasingly, education is turned to as a means by which conditions in society can be improved. Education continues to be a dynamic career; there has never been a more exciting time to be a teacher and to reach out to the next generation.

Will I Be Able to Find a Job?

Newly certified teachers in high demand areas such as math and science are especially successful in obtaining employment. However, mobility continues to be a major factor influencing employment prospect for all teachers. It is also an advantage when seeking employment (either in Michigan or elsewhere) to have received your degree and teaching certificate from a large, well-known university like Wayne State University. Wayne State’s College of Education is known throughout the country for its excellence in teaching and the high standards it maintains for its faculty and students.

What Alternative Careers Might I Choose?

There are a variety of areas a teacher might consider, including school counseling, school psychologist, school social worker, and school administration. There are also opportunities in community colleges and universities in teaching and administration.

What is the Difference Between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education?

The only difference is that a Bachelor of Arts degree requires three to four courses (12 semester hours) in a foreign language.

Admission Requirements

  1. Completion of two years ( 53 semester hours minimum) of college credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better
  2. A passing score on the Wayne State University English Proficiency Exam, fulfillment of the Mathematics Competency requirement and a passing score on the State of Michigan Basic Skills Test
  3. Successful group work with children
  4. Negative TB Test
  5. Completion of the College of Education application
  6. Attendance at a College of Education orientation meeting

General Degree Requirements

  1. Forty credits in pre-professional coursework, including 6-8 credits in English, and other courses specified by individual program areas
  2. Completion of the appropriate professional education sequence 
  3. Completion of majors and minors appropriate to the student’s intended level of certification
  4. Completion of coursework (3 semester hours) in hygiene, first aid and CPR, or health of the school-age child
  5. Completion of University General Education requirements and competencies

For scheduling the English Proficiency, Math Competency, and Critical Thinking Exams at University Center, and/or the Computer Literacy and Oral Communication Exams on main campus, contact the WSU Testing & Evaluation Office at 313/577-3400.