Certifications
Elementary Certification
Albion offers programs leading to Michigan certification at the elementary level (grades PK-3 only/PK-3 and 3-6 combined (PK-6)). Students accepted as candidates for elementary certification must:
- Complete any Albion College major with an elementary concentration.
- Complete all other requirements as specified by Albion’s Education Department.
Students interested in an elementary concentration should consult the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog and consult directly with the Education Department (224 Olin Hall).
Required courses for PK-3 and 3-6 elementary certification:
- Engl 101 (1)
- Psyc 101 (1)
- Psyc 251 (1)
- Math 104 (1)
- Idy 262 (1)
- Educ 300 (.25)
- Educ 195 (1)
- Educ 196 (1)
- Educ 249 (1)
- Educ 269 (1)
- Educ 355 (1)
- Educ 271 (1)
- Educ 363 (.25)
- Educ 364 (.25)
- Educ 371 (1)
- Educ 396 (1)*
- Educ 421 (3)
- Educ 431 (1)
Required courses for PK-3 only elementary certification:
- Engl 101 (1)
- Psyc 101 (1)
- Psyc 251 (1)
- Math 104 (1)
- Idy 262 (1)
- Educ 300 (.25)
- Educ 195 (1)
- Educ 196 (1)
- Educ 248 (.5)
- Educ 268 (.5)
- Educ 354 (.5)
- Educ 271 (1)
- Educ 370 (.5)
- Educ 396 (1)*
- Educ 421 (3)
- Educ 431 (1)
*Course meets intermittently during the spring semester and intensively during three weeks in May, requires residence on campus, and is part of spring registration.
Course descriptions and prerequisites are listed under the respective departments. Numbers in parentheses indicate units of credit awarded. Students apply for formal acceptance and admission into the TEP while enrolled in Education 196. If a student desires to do off-campus study, the ideal semester to do so is the fall of the junior year.
Interdisciplinary Major in Social Studies (Elementary)—The social studies major is primarily intended for students seeking a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of the social sciences. Students completing a major in social studies are required to take courses in anthropology and sociology, economics and management, geological sciences, history and political science. No minor is required. The detailed requirements for the major are available from an Education Department adviser.
Secondary/K-12 Certification
Albion offers programs leading to Michigan certification at the secondary level (grades 6-12) in the subject areas listed below and K-12 certification in French, German, Spanish and music.
The following are options for secondary teaching majors and minors:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science/Geology
- English
- French
- German
- History
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Studies (major only)
- Spanish
- Teaching English as a Second Language (minor only)
Students accepted for secondary and/or K-12 certification must:
- Complete a teaching major of at least eight units;
- Complete a teaching minor of at least five units;
- Complete a sequence of pedagogy courses, including Education 338/9 or 348/9 or 358/9, 373 and 397;
- Complete all other requirements as specified by the Education Department.
Pedagogy course(s) note: Students with a humanities (English, French, German, Spanish) major and minor take Education 339; students with a social science (history, political science, psychology) major and minor take Education 349; and, students with a mathematics/natural science (biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics) major and minor take Education 359. Otherwise, students with major and minors split between humanities, social science, and/or mathematics/natural science take the appropriate combination of Education 338, 348 and 358 for one unit total. Music students take pedagogy courses in the Music Department. Students should consult with their Education Department adviser to ensure they are taking the correct pedagogy courses.
Secondary/K-12 Certification Program
| Year | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year | Psyc 101* (1) | ||
| Sophomore | Educ 202* (1) Psyc 251* (1) | Educ 203* (1) | |
| Junior | Educ 338/9, 348/9*****, 358/9** (1) | Educ 396*** or Educ 397*** (1) | |
| Senior | Educ 371**** (1) Educ 373* (1) | Educ 422 or 423* (3) Educ 432* (1) |
* May be taken either fall or spring semester.
** Discuss appropriate course(s) with Education Department adviser. Music students take pedagogy course work offered through the Music Department.
*** Education 396 required for K-12 certification; Education 397 required for secondary certification. Course meets intermittently during the spring semester and intensively during three weeks in May, requires residence on campus, and is part of spring registration.
**** K-12 certification requires Education 371 in addition to Education 373 for French, German and Spanish majors. Course offered fall semester only.
*****History and political science major and minor require Education 349.
Course descriptions and prerequisites are listed under the respective departments. Numbers in parentheses indicate units of credit awarded. Students apply for formal acceptance and admission into the teacher education program during their sophomore year, after completing Education 202. If a student desires to do off-campus study, the ideal semester to do so is the fall of the junior year.
Interdisciplinary Major in Social Studies (Secondary) — The social studies major is primarily intended for students seeking a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of the social sciences. Students completing a major in social studies are required to take courses in anthropology and sociology, economics and management, geological sciences, history and political science. No minor is required. The detailed requirements for the major are available from an Education Department adviser.