Skip to main content

2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Elementary Teacher Certification for Grades PK-3 or 3-6 or PK-6 and K-12 - Special Education Major and PCKET Major

A Michigan PK-3, 3-6, or PK-6 elementary teacher certification with special education endorsements allows the holder to teach the special education endorsement areas in kindergarten through 12th grade. It also permits teaching any subject in pre-kindergarten through grade three, grade three through grade six, or grades PK-6. In the state of MI, a special education teaching credential must be added to an initial general education teaching certificate. Special education endorsement areas include:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Cognitive Impairment (CI)
  • Emotional Impairment (EI)
  • Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

Special education teacher candidates must choose two endorsement areas.

In addition to degree requirements, special education candidates must complete the special education major, and endorsement requirements for two endorsements and the Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teachers (PCKET) major for either PK-3, 3-6, or PK-6.

The special education major is designed for students seeking certification to teach students with disabilities. The special education major prepares candidates to effectively teach students with disabilities in a variety of settings and to effectively manage the classroom by developing the ability to adjust teaching practices according to individual student needs. The program features highly trained faculty who value interaction with candidates, robust field placement opportunities, and content that is directly applicable to the K-12 classroom setting. The curriculum provides:

  • knowledge of childhood development
  • use of high leverage and inclusive teaching practices
  • the ability to adapt content knowledge and present it according to individual needs
  • extensive field experiences teaching in special education settings

The PCKET major is designed for students seeking certification to teach in specialized areas at the elementary level. It provides a solid foundation in subject-matter knowledge and pedagogical approaches across all content areas taught at these levels: fine arts, health and physical education, integrated science, language arts, mathematics, and social studies. Students complete several field experiences in classrooms. Graduates have a unique combination of skills and experiences that are highly valued.

Requirements for the Certificate - Special Education

The 90 - 99 credit special education major consists of the following courses and must be planned with the student's College of Education and Community Innovation special education advisor.

Requirements for the Certificate - Educational Studies Core (paired with the PCKET major, leads to fulfillment of requirements for initial general education teaching certification) (26-32 credits)

Take the following TWO courses if pursuing PK-3 or PK-6 general education initial certification.

Special Education Core (leads to fulfillment of the special education teaching credential) (27 credits)

Requirements for Special Education Endorsements

Candidates must choose two special education endorsement areas from the following.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (19 credits)

Cognitive Impairment (18 credits)

Emotional Impairment (18 credits)

Specific Learning Disability (16 credits)

*Application required for EDS 332, EDS 471, EDS 472, EDS 473, and EDS 474 directed teaching clinical experience courses.

Candidates will be placed in academically, culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse settings.

Requirements for the Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching (PCKET) PK-3 Major or 3-6 or PK-6 with Specialized Teaching Endorsement Major

The 41- 44 credit PCKET major consists of the following courses and must be planned with the student's PCKET advisor. Paired with the Educational Studies core, leads to fulfillment of requirements for initial general education teaching certification.

Language Arts
Take the following whether pursuing PK-3, 3-6, or PK-6 general education initial certification

Social Studies
Take the following if pursuing PK-3 general education initial certification

Take the following if pursuing 3-6 or PK-6 general education initial certification

One of the following:

Integrated Science
Take the following whether pursuing PK-3, 3-6, or PK-6 general education initial certification

Take the following if pursuing 3-6 or PK-6 general education initial certification

World Languages

Fine Arts

Health/Physical Education

Additional Degree Requirements

Suggested Order of Coursework

PK-3 General Education and K-12 Special Education

Year One

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Year Two

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Spring Semester:

Year Three

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Spring/Summer: (required for those seeking an ASD endorsement ONLY)

Year Four

Fall Semester:

Take two - choice must align with candidates' chosen two endorsement areas.

Winter Semester:

Spring/Summer:

Year Five

Fall Semester: (take first endorsement emphasis three course sequence shown as follows)

Winter Semester: (take second endorsement emphasis three course sequence shown as follows

Autism Spectrum Disorder Emphasis

Cognitive Impairment Emphasis

Emotional Impairment Emphasis

Specific Learning Disability Emphasis

Note: EDS 205 and EDS 406 may be offered in the fall or winter semester as appropriate.

3-6 General Education and K-12 Special Education

Year One

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Year Two

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Spring Semester:

Year Three

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Spring/Summer: (required for those seeking an ASD endorsement ONLY)

Year Four

Fall Semester:

Take two - choice must align with candidates' chosen two endorsement areas.

Winter Semester:

Spring/Summer:

Year Five

Fall Semester: (take first endorsement emphasis three course sequence shown as follows)

Winter Semester: (take second endorsement emphasis three course sequence shown as follows)

Autism Spectrum Disorder Emphasis

Cognitive Impairment Emphasis

Emotional Impairment Emphasis

Specific Learning Disability Emphasis

Note: EDS 205 and EDS 406 may be offered in the fall or winter semester as appropriate.

PK-6 General Education and K-12 Special Education (A PK-6 general education teaching certificate requires additional credits; to complete a PK-6 and special education endorsements in five years, as outlined in the suggested course sequence, it would be necessary to pay for credits beyond the tuition block in year three and year four)

Year One

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Year Two

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Spring Semester:

Year Three

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Spring/Summer: (required for those seeking an ASD endorsement ONLY)

Year Four

Fall Semester:

Take two - choice must align with candidates' chosen two endorsement areas.

Winter Semester:

Spring/Summer:

Year Five

Fall Semester: (take first endorsement emphasis three course sequence shown as follows)

Winter Semester: (take second endorsement emphasis three course sequence shown as follows)

Autism Spectrum Disorder Emphasis

Cognitive Impairment Emphasis

Emotional Impairment Emphasis

Specific Learning Disability Emphasis

Note: EDS 205 and EDS 406 may be offered in the fall or winter semester as appropriate.


If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.