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Elementary

Program Overview for Prospective Students

www.gvsu.edu/gtc

Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC)

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GRADUATE TEACHER CERTIFICATION (GTC)

CAREER

CHANGE?

Interested in a

Post-baccalaureate route to initial teacher certification

For those who have a bachelor’s degree, but do not have a teaching certificate

Elementary Certification: PK-6th Grade, all subjects in a self-contained classroom

Lower Elementary: PK-3rd grade band
Upper Elementary: 3-6th grade band

Cohort model: Teacher Candidates progress through shared learning experiences and coursework together, across a fixed timeline (three consecutive-semester GTC Cohort)

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CREDITS	39 Credits Total initial coursework (6 credits) structured GTC Cohort schedule (33 credits)
COST	Graduate Level Tuition & Fees see current rate on Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website rate falls under Education - Instruction and Curriculum (M.Ed.) rates subject to change - board renegotiates each summer
FORMAT	Hybrid in-person and online attendance required in-person courses and meetings held throughout program in downtown Grand Rapids, MI (City Campus) Specific course dates/times released each March; dependent on faculty availability
COMMITMENT	FULL-TIME accelerated, rigorous, structured graduate schedule two semesters of clinical field experience GTC faculty have shared it’s very challenging to work while participating in the program

DETAILS

Elementary GTC Program

The Elementary GTC program requires 39 credits. Teacher Candidates start by taking two initial courses, 3 credits each. From there, they will follow a structured schedule as part of the GTC Cohort, totalling 33 credits. You can find Grand Valley’s current tuition rates on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships’ website, linked here. The rates will fall under the Education - Instruction and Curriculum graduate degree. Please note that rates are subject to change, as the board renegotiates each summer. The educational format for the Elementary GTC program is hybrid, requiring both in-person and online attendance. In-person coursework and meetings throughout the program will be held at the downtown Grand Rapids campus. Given that course scheduling is dependent on faculty availability, specific course details will be released each March. In full transparency, this program requires a full-time commitment, given the accelerated pace, rigor, and structure of graduate coursework and clinical field experiences. The GTC Faculty have shared that it can be very challenging to work while participating in the program, so please take this into consideration.

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HPE 267: Health and Movement Education for Elementary Teachers

EDT 619: Introduction to Learning, Design, and Technology

B- or higher in each course, while maintaining a 3.0 GPA as a graduate student

Offered Fall & Winter Semesters

Begins: Summer (May)

Ends: Winter (April)

Accelerated content and teacher preparation coursework

Two semesters of clinical field experience

B- or higher in each course, while maintaining a 3.0 GPA as a graduate student

ELEMENTARY GTC

Route to Teacher Certification Through

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK

ELEMENTARY GTC COHORT

APPLY FOR CERTIFICATE

Successful completion of teacher preparation program

Passing scores on required licensure exams (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification)

Grand Valley will recommend you for your Teaching Certificate

Teaching Certificate issued by State of Michigan

Complete Prior to GTC Cohort

3-Semester Structured Schedule

Once All Requirements Complete

Here is a breakdown of your route to teacher certification through the Elementary GTC program. First, you must successfully complete two initial courses prior to starting in the GTC Cohort. HPE 267 and EDT 619 must be completed at a B- or higher, while maintaining a 3.0 GPA as a graduate student. Both courses are offered Fall and Winter semesters.

Once you have successfully completed these initial courses, you will then be eligible to start the 3-semester GTC Cohort. The Cohort begins each May and concludes the following April. These three semesters will include accelerated content and teacher preparation coursework, as well as two semesters of clinical field experience. Please note you must receive a B- or higher in your teacher certification coursework, while maintaining a 3.0 GPA as a graduate student.

Once your teacher preparation program requirements are complete and you’ve received passing scores on all required licensure exams, you can then apply for your teaching certificate and be recommended for certification by Grand Valley. Teacher Candidates will apply for certification through the Michigan Department of Education, as the state will be the entity that issues your teaching certificate. Further information on this process will be shared at a later time.

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Semester(s) Prior	HPE 267 - Health and Movement Education for Elementary Teachers EDT 619 - Introduction to Learning, Design, and Technology *Offered Fall and Winter semesters; need to take both in the same semester to qualify for financial aid
Summer Semester	EDI 631 - Teaching Science: PK-6 (in-person meetings required) EDI 633 - Teaching Social Studies and Diversity EDI 635 - Development and Needs of Students EDR 621 - Foundations of Literacy
Fall Semester	EDI 685 - Graduate Field Experience EDI 638 - Facilitating School Environments EDI 630 - Teaching Mathematics: K-8 (in-person meetings required) EDR 628 - Literacy Instruction Across Disciplines (in-person meetings required) Teacher Apprenticeship: M/W/F in mentor teacher’s classroom
Winter Semester	EDI 685 - Graduate Field Experience EDS 652 - Foundations of Special Education Teacher Internship: M-F in mentor teacher’s classroom

ELEMENTARY GTC COURSE SCHEDULE

Outline of

Elementary GTC Cohort

Here is an outline of the required sequence of coursework for the Elementary GTC program. The initial coursework, HPE 267 and EDT 619, need to be successfully completed before being eligible for the GTC Cohort each May. Therefore, Teacher Candidates should plan to take the courses either Fall or Winter semester prior. We recommend that you take both courses simultaneously so that you qualify (credit-wise) for financial aid.

The Elementary GTC Cohort will then consist of three-consecutive semesters. As mentioned, the schedule is dependent on faculty availability, so finalized schedules, with educational formats and meeting times, will be released once registration opens each March. At that time, the Cohort will receive a Registration Guide that outlines exactly what courses and sections to enroll in for each semester. As part of the GTC Cohort, you will take these courses together and must follow the sequence as outlined.

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CLINICAL FIELD EXPERIENCE

Two Semesters of

Teacher Preparation within an Elementary Classroom

role: Teacher Apprentice & Teacher Intern
supervised by experienced mentor teacher
not employment, but a state requirement for teacher preparation program

Coordinated by Elementary Placement Specialist

please do not seek your own placement
not placed in schools with personal connections (i.e., friends, relatives, past or current employment)

Teacher Apprenticeship

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, full academic day
GTC coursework simultaneously

Teacher Internship

Mondays - Fridays, full academic day
GTC coursework simultaneously

FALL

SEMESTER

WINTER

SEMESTER

Alongside the graduate coursework, candidates will engage in two clinical field experiences as a Teacher Apprentice and Teacher Intern, under the supervision of a Mentor Teacher. Please note that this is not a paid position as an employee within a school district, but rather a state requirement for this teacher preparation program. The Elementary Placement Specialist works closely with our PK-12 partners and University Field Directors to coordinate appropriate placements and Mentor Teachers. Teacher Candidates are not responsible for finding their own placements and will not be placed in schools where they have personal connections - such as with friends, relatives, or schools where they are employed or were previously employed.

In the Fall Semester, the typical schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for the full academic day as a Teacher Apprentice, while also engaging in graduate coursework simultaneously. In the Winter Semester, the typical schedule is Monday through Friday, for the full academic day as a Teacher Intern, while also engaging in graduate coursework simultaneously. Once enrolled in the program, candidates will meet with the GTC Faculty to learn more about field experience requirements, timelines, and expectations.

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Candidates have 8 years to complete all M.Ed. requirements.

This timeline begins with the first course you take that counts toward the M.Ed.

MASTER’S DEGREE

Prerequisite

Coursework

Elementary

GTC Cohort

Teaching

Certificate

Remaining

Courses

M.Ed.

Instruction & Curriculum

Complete the

Elementary GTC prepares candidates for their teaching certificate, but is a pathway toward a master’s degree. GTC coursework is embedded in the Master of Education - Instruction and Curriculum - Elementary Education degree.

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	be seeking initial teacher certification (do not yet have a teaching certificate issued)
	an awarded bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
	be at least a year out from earned bachelor’s degree when GTC Cohort begins
	graduate student requirements: 3.0 GPA in final 60 undergraduate credits or an awarded master’s degree; positive recommendation
	30 hours of documented elementary-aged experience (paid or unpaid) by November 1st deadline Examples of relevant experience: substitute teaching, tutoring, volunteering, before/after school program

REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all requirements set by both the Graduate School and the GTC program.

Teacher Candidates interested in the Elementary GTC program must meet the following. First, you will need to be seeking initial teacher certification (meaning you do not yet have a teaching certificate issued). Second, you need to have an awarded bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. You also need to be at least a year out from having earned your bachelor’s degree when beginning in a GTC Cohort.

Next, you must meet the requirements for Graduate School admission. Criteria includes at least a 3.0 GPA in your final 60 undergraduate credits (which would be calculated by the Admissions Office when you apply) or an awarded master’s degree. Additionally, you will be required to have a positive recommendation that speaks to your professional experience and ability to succeed as a graduate student and future educator.

Before fully committing to the Elementary GTC Program, it's also important that you engage with the age group you intend to teach. Early exposure to diverse classroom settings and student needs provides a realistic view of the teaching profession. Additionally, this perspective can help you, as a prospective teacher, identify if the intended age group truly aligns with your personality and preferred teaching methods.

Therefore, you must have at least 30 hours of documented, paid or unpaid experience working with the PK-6th grade age group prior to starting the GTC Cohort. Responsibilities should fall within an educational setting. These hours will be documented on the Verification of Experience form, which will be completed and signed by a supervisor for verification.

Examples of Relevant Experience: substitute teaching, tutoring, volunteering, working at a before/after school program

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Be sure to give yourself adequate time to consider whether GTC meets your needs, as well as financially plan for your participation.

Is GTC Right for

YOU?

Can I commit full-time to my graduate coursework and clinical field experience?

Do I meet all program eligibility requirements?

Can I complete the initial coursework before the next GTC Cohort begins in May?

Can I afford to step away from employment while participating in a full-time graduate program?

Can I attend in-person coursework and meetings in Grand Rapids throughout the program?

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THANK YOU!

QUESTIONS?

www.gvsu.edu/gtc

616.331.6650

oca@gvsu.edu

The Office of Certification and Accreditation (OCA)

College of Education and Community Innovation