Program Overview

Teacher preparation at Grand Valley State University includes:

• 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 students are assigned an advisor from their major field for the duration of their time at Grand Valley. In addition, they are assigned an education program advisor to guide them through the steps to become a teacher.
• 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.