Education

Mission Statement

The mission of the teacher education program at Rochester College is to prepare teachers with Christian values who can effectively serve in the diverse and challenging schools and global communities of the twenty-first century. Graduates of the program are teachers of understanding because they have gained a rich liberal arts education, acquired specialized knowledge in academic content areas, and completed a Professional Studies program. They are teachers with integrity because they have developed Christian values and high ethical standards. Lastly, they have hearts to serve because they have developed the attitudes and dispositions necessary to act as change agents in the diverse and challenging schools and communities in the twenty-first century.

Academic Opportunities

Rochester College is authorized by the Michigan Department of Education to recommend teacher candidates to the state for certification. Candidates for Elementary Certification may major in one or more of the following content areas: Integrated Science Education, Language Arts Education, Elementary Math Education, and Social Studies Education. Secondary candidates may receive certification in one or more of the following content areas: Biology Education, English Education, History Education, Secondary Math Education, and Social Studies Education (under review by MDE).

Degrees and Admission information

• Degrees in Elementary Education
• Degrees in Secondary Education
• Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Career Opportunities

Graduates who receive Elementary Certification may teach all subject areas in grades K-5 or in their major and minor content areas in grades 6-8, and all subject areas in grades K-8 in self-contained classrooms. Graduates who receive Secondary Certification may teach in grades 6-12 in their major and/or minor content areas.

Professional Certification

Since the process of becoming a teacher includes both a baccalaureate degree and professional certification, students must declare their intent as early as possible in order to plan with an education advisor. The advising process is a critical aspect of teacher preparation; for example, with some courses, it is possible to meet both General Education and Teacher Education requirements at the same time.

Education advisors ensure that students have met all teacher preparation requirements, and work with each student to plan appropriate progress toward the completion of the majors and minors. Students who wish to pursue other content area majors and minors recognized by MDE should contact an education academic advisor to determine the best way to complete requirements. Endorsements in the content areas listed above are offered to post baccalaureate students seeking teacher certification. Post baccalaureate students must also meet all of the MDE’s Standards, Rules, and Guidelines for Elementary and Secondary Provisional Certification. Students must complete the college’s Christian Values requirement, a teachable major and/or minor and all coursework and field experiences in the Professional Studies component.

The Professional Studies component consists of 39 semester hours of coursework and field experiences that recognize the continuum of professional development from novice to master teacher. This component is offered in four sequentially structured phases that guide prospective teachers through the preservice levels of the teaching profession.