Education, Graduate Teacher (GTC) Certification - Elementary
The graduate teacher certification (GTC) program is designed for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree and are interested in pursuing initial teacher certification.
Program Overview
The program prepares individuals to be certified PK-6 elementary educators. This full-time program is offered in a hybrid format for those seeking elementary certification.
The GTC program falls under the Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Instruction and Curriculum in Elementary Education. Students completing the GTC program exit with a recommendation for an initial standard teaching certificate in PK-3 and 3-6 teacher certification and will only have a few additional courses to take before completing a full Master's degree.
Why Study Education at Grand Valley?
- The program prepares individuals to be certified PK-6 elementary educators.
- The program can be completed in one year/three semesters.
- Program faculty have P12 teaching experience, are experts in their field of study, and remain flexible, available, and supportive of students.
- This full-time program is offered in a hybrid format with both in-person and online courses.
- Quality elementary educators are in demand in today's job market.
Location & Format
Courses for this program are a combination of online and in-seat on
the Robert C. Pew Grand
Rapids Campus.
Coursework
Graduate teacher certification in elementary education is an accelerated one-year program that includes 11 courses and 36 credits taken over three semesters. Topics include evidence-based practice for teaching literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies as well as facilitation of positive classroom environments, culturally responsive pedagogy, and foundations of special education. Courses are paired with robust clinical field experiences.
Completion of an additional 15 credits will fulfill the requirements for a Master in Education, Instruction and Curriculum - Elementary Education.
An application for the GTC program, available from the College of Education and Community Innovation, is due by November 1.
An additional application for admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation must be submitted by January 15. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.
Application Deadline
An application for the GTC program, available from the College of Education and Community Innovation, is due by November 1.
An additional application for admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation must be submitted by January 15. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.
Admission Requirements
Contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation to request information and register to attend one of the regularly scheduled information meetings. You must also be able to undertake full-time study for approximately one calendar year.
There are many detailed requirements for admission to the graduate teacher certification program, including pre-admission courses and a criminal background check. Consult the catalog and your program advisor for details.
Helpful Links
For More Information
College of Education and Community Innovation
gvsu.edu/education/grad
401
Fulton Street West, Building C
[email protected]
(616) 331-6650
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