Central Michigan University

Areas of Certification and Study

Teacher education students follow programs that prepare and certify them to teach at either the elementary or secondary level. A special education program is also available through the Counseling and Special Education Department.

Elementary Education

This option prepares students to teach the basics of mathematics, language arts, reading, science, and social studies in grades Kindergarten through 8. Students in the elementary teaching certification program choose from a variety of majors and minors, including:

• Dance
• English
• English as a Second Language
• Family Studies: Life Management Education
• French
• Geography
• German
• History
• Integrated Science
• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Outdoor and Environmental Education
• Physical Education
• School Health Education
• Spanish
• Social Arts

Secondary Education

Secondary certification enables graduates to teach in grades 6 through 12, normally with primary responsibilities in specific subject areas such as English, Math, Social Studies, or Science. Students in the secondary teaching certification program choose from a variety of majors and minors, including:

• Biology
• Business Teacher Education
• Chemistry
• Chemistry/Physics
• Dance
• Earth Science
• English
• English as a Second Language
• Family Studies: Life Management Education
• French
• Geography
• German
• History
• Industrial Education
• Integrated Science
• Mathematics
• Outdoor and Environmental Education
• Physical Education
• Spanish
• School Health Education
• Spanish
• Speech
• Visual Arts

Special Education

Students interested in becoming teachers of cognitively or emotionally impaired children will be certified for teaching special education in grades Kindergarten through 12. Students also will select an additional major or minor for elementary or secondary certification.