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Degree Programs

To fulfill graduation and certification requirements, all teacher candidates planning on a professional teaching career must complete the Teacher Education Program course sequence and:

• For elementary candidates: a combination of two grade bands (PK–3 and 3–6) and a possible endorsement area
• For secondary candidates: a secondary education major (grade bands 5–9 and 7–12) and a content major minor in an approved academic field
• For K-12 candidates: an elementary or secondary major (two grade bands) along with required specialized course work (e.g., special education, world languages, music, art, PE/health)

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Teacher candidates planning to teach in elementary and secondary schools must be formally admitted to the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Educator Preparation Program prior to taking upper-level education courses. Application for admission to the Education Department is made following the completion of required Level 1 introductory courses, clinical experiences and other documentation.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Students who graduate from the teacher education program will be

• Ethical educators
• Skilled communicators
• Engaged professionals
• Curriculum developers
• Effective instructors
• Decision makers
• Reflective practitioners

View the admittance deadlines, admittance process and appeal process for the Hope College Education Program 

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION TRACKÌý

The elementary track prepares teacher candidates to teach in a general education classroom from preschool to sixth grade, according to the new Michigan Department of Education grade bands. To view more information on these grade bands and endorsement areas, please see the Elementary Education page.

Teacher candidates will be certified in two grade bands: PK–3 and 3–6.

In addition, candidates may choose to specialize in one of the following areas:

• Early Childhood
  
• Spanish (Immersion) 
  
• Special Education, Emotional Impairments
  
• Special Education, Learning Disabilities

SECONDARY EDUCATION TRACK

Our secondary program prepares candidates to teach in middle and high schools. They will double major in Secondary Education and a content area major:

• English
  
• Mathematics
  
• Integrated Science
  
• Integrated Social Studies 
  

Please see the Secondary Education page to learn more about the secondary track and its options.

K–12 EDUCATION

Â鶹ÊÓƵ Education Department offers K–12 majors in the following areas: 

• World Languages
• Music
• Physical Education/Health
• Visual Arts

TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Once a teacher candidate has completed all program requirements and passed the state teacher certification test, they will qualify for a teaching certificate from the State of Michigan. Although teaching requirements vary among states, the Michigan certificate, through reciprocal certification agreements, is valid in many other states.

If you plan to teach outside of Michigan, talk to our director of certification, Sara Hoeve (hoeve@hope.edu or 616.395.7740), for specified information on reciprocity and out-of-state licensure, postgraduate teaching certification, additional endorsements or state testing requirements.

Learn more about certification requirements.