Concentrations & Endorsements
Content-Area Concentrations
For the 3-6 grade band, you can focus on a 9-credit concentration in English, math, science, or social studies to gain deeper content knowledge for teaching upper elementary students.
Endorsements
An endorsement demonstrates specialized knowledge beyond your initial teaching certificate. Adding an endorsement like ESL or Spanish to your elementary certification gives you more flexibility and broader career options.
If you choose the 3-6 grade band or PK-6 dual grade band and prepare to only teach general education, you will need a concentration in English, math, science, or social studies. If you choose ESL, Spanish, or Special Education, then you do not need a concentration. Students who are in the Honors program have a built-in concentration and do not need a separate concentration.
Content-Area Concentrations for 3-6 and PK-6 Grade Bands
Students who choose the 3-6 or PK-6 emphasis must choose a 9-credit concentration in one of four content areas: English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies. This concentration will not lead to an additional endorsement, but will give students deeper content knowledge necessary for teaching upper elementary and to be content-area leaders in their schools.
English language arts
Math
Integrated Science
Social Studies
Coursework
The English Language Arts concentration requires 9 credits of English courses. Students who select this concentration cannot double count courses taken for PCKET core requirements.
One of the following:
- ENG 215 - Foundations of Literary Study: Genre (3 credits)
- ENG 216 - Foundations of Literary Study: Critical Approaches (3 credits)
- ENG 261 - Foundations of Language Study (3 credits)
And one of the following:
- ENG 215 - Foundations of Literary Study: Genre (3 credits)
- ENG 216 - Foundations of Literary Study: Critical Approaches (3 credits)
- ENG 261 - Foundations of Language Study (3 credits)
- ENG 304 - International Literature for Children and Young Adults (3 credits)
- ENG 334 - American Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults (3 credits)
- ENG-prefix Issues course (3 credits)
And one of the following:
- ENG 215 - Foundations of Literary Study: Genre (3 credits)
- ENG 216 - Foundations of Literary Study: Critical Approaches (3 credits)
- ENG 261 - Foundations of Language Study (3 credits)
- ENG-prefix Philosophy and Literature General Education (3 credits)
Students in the PCKET PK–6 or 3–6 major with a math concentration can add a Mathematics Teaching Minor (see Mathematics with Middle Grades Teacher Certification (Grades 5-9) with as few as four additional courses, leading to certification to teach mathematics in grades 5–9. This option allows you to broaden your teaching credentials while building on coursework you are already completing.
Courses
The Integrated Science concentration requires 9 credits of science courses across several disciplines.
Courses
The Social Studies concentration requires 9 credits of courses across several disciplines. Students who select this concentration cannot double count courses taken for PCKET core requirements.
At least one geography course:
At least one history course, which must include:
And one of the following:
- SST 311 - Data Literacy for Social Studies Teachers (3 credits)
- HST 301 - Colonial America (3 credits)
- HST 302 - Revolutionary America (3 credits)
- HST 312 - History of American Women (3 credits)
- HST 314 - African American History (3 credits)
- HST 315 - Latinos: The Forging of Ethnic Identities (3 credits)
- HST 318 - History of Democracy in America (3 credits)
- HST 320 - American Indians (3 credits)
- HST 323 - Michigan History (3 credits)
- HST 328 - U.S. Constitutional and Legal History (3 credits)
- PLS 102 - Issues in U.S. Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 203 - State Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 206 - American Constitutional Foundations (3 credits)
Endorsements qualify you to teach specialized content or populations. PCKET majors have the option of earning a specialized endorsement in ESL, Spanish, or Special Education. An additional endorsement is not required, but earning an endorsement at the undergraduate level can increase your career options.
Optional Endorsements for PCKET Major
Students in either the PK-3 or 3-6 program also have the option of adding courses that will earn them an endorsement in teaching English as a second language. If you choose the 3-6 Grade Band with this endorsement, you are not required to take the 3 disciplinary concentrations. If you elect to add an endorsement to your 3-6 Grade Band, you still have the option to take the disciplinary concentration courses, and are encouraged to do so, but it is not a requirement.
Special Education
English as a Second Language
Spanish
