Inspire the Next Generation of Young Learners
Embark on a fulfilling career as an educator with the University of Michigan-Flint’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program. Guided by our renowned faculty, your education extends beyond theory into practice, empowering you with real-world teaching experience.
Our comprehensive program offers either a pathway to earning your Michigan teaching certificate with your degree or a non-certificate track, equipping aspiring teachers with the skills and expertise needed to excel in the classroom.
Whichever option you choose, you receive a quality education that builds a strong pedagogical foundation and helps you develop the competencies you need to support children’s intellectual and personal growth.
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Why Earn Your Elementary Education Bachelor’s Degree at UM-Flint?
Gain Essential In-Classroom Experience as a Student Teacher
As a required portion of our elementary education bachelor’s program, you spend 600 hours as a student teacher in a local school, immersing you in a classroom environment. The experience you gain working with children of all ages and backgrounds shapes your unique approach to teaching, develops practical skills like curriculum planning and classroom management, and builds meaningful connections with seasoned educators who can share their insight and experience.
Specialize Your Pedagogical Knowledge
To expand your expertise as an educator, the Education Department offers supplemental programs, including a minor in early childhood studies and a certificate in early childhood trauma and education.
A 12-credit program focuses on how trauma can impact learning and how families and communities can help children recover from traumatic experiences. You can complete this as part of a degree program or as a standalone certificate.
Deepens your understanding of how children develop mentally, emotionally, and socially in their formative years and ways to support their holistic growth. We created this minor for elementary education majors who aren’t pursuing the Early Childhood Specialist Endorsement or for those who are not earning their BS in Elementary Education but are interested in studying child development.
Choose between a Certification and Non-Certification Track
Customize your bachelor’s degree and create career opportunities by earning your teaching credentials or opting for a tailor-made course of study.
If your professional goals include becoming a classroom teacher upon graduating, our BS in Elementary Education streamlines the certification process, helping you earn your Michigan Teacher Certification and progress toward a rewarding career as an educator.
Alternatively, you can pursue professional paths in other education-focused fields beyond a classroom by earning your bachelor’s without pursuing a teaching certificate. This track requires you to partner with your academic advisor and select courses to create a comprehensive course of study.
Accreditation
The teacher education program at the University of Michigan-Flint is approved by the Michigan Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation to offer programs in elementary education, early childhood education, selected secondary education programs, and selected programs that prepare teachers for teaching in all grades. With this nationally recognized accreditation, you can trust that you receive top-quality training with up-to-date information and teaching methodologies.
Elementary Education Program Curriculum
The elementary education degree program utilizes a tiered three-phase structure to equip you as a competent teacher.
In Phase I, you choose your grade band—either PreK-3 or grades 3-6— for certification and begin building a robust foundation for your future work in teaching. You study the social bases of education, the interconnection of literacy and children’s language development, how to integrate play and creativity into formative learning experiences, and much more. To develop your interpersonal skills and social awareness, you also study the intricacies of working in school settings and the structural and cultural diversity of families.
Phase II begins to introduce field experiences and practical training into your degree program. You gain essential expertise in how to create inclusive spaces, effectively manage your classroom, and perform education assessments. These core competencies are all reinforced through field experiences that immerse you in school settings to shadow educators and work directly with children.
Phase III refines your pedagogical skills and deepens your content knowledge. You study various methods of teaching math, science, and geography and then put this knowledge into practice in your content-based practicum. To round out your training, you also embark on your student teaching and seminar, which is a full-time, 14-week teaching internship.
Whether you’re passionate about early childhood education or looking to make a difference in upper elementary grades, UM-Flint’s elementary education program provides the expertise and practical experience required to thrive in today’s ever-changing educational landscape.
Learn more about our bachelor’s in elementary education program curriculum.
Academic Advising for Elementary Education Majors
UM-Flint’s academic advisors work with you to chart a path to success. To help you along your journey, we’ve created an elementary education major map that provides year-by-year information about topics like class selection, extracurricular opportunities, and career preparation.
Linda Blakey is the dedicated academic advisor for the elementary education degree program. For assistance, send her an email at [email protected] or call 810-424-5215.
Career Outlook
As the US education system grows and evolves, the demand for competent and enthusiastic teachers remains stable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that kindergarten and elementary school teacher employment rates should increase by one percent through 2032, resulting in an estimated 109,000 positions nationwide.
On average, elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $63,670. However, their earning potential can drastically range from $46,960 to $104,440 based on various factors, such as location, level of education, years of experience, and more.
Advance Your Career in Education with a Graduate Degree
If you are passionate about education and want to invest in earning a graduate degree to propel your career forward, the University of Michigan-Flint offers the following advanced graduate programs:
- The Master of Arts in Educational Administration is a part-time program designed for principal preparation that combines online coursework with classes that meet one Saturday a month.
- The Education Specialist is a 20-month post-master’s degree program designed for working teachers and school administrators who want to increase their skills in leadership, communication, and administration.
The Doctor of Education program is designed for practicing teachers and administrators and can be completed in as little as three years.
Admission Requirements
Whether you’re a first-year student or a transfer student, we aim to keep the admissions process simple, saving you time and money.
When applying to UM-Flint’s BS in Elementary Education program, please submit the following:
- A completed online or paper application.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools.
- Review UM-Flint’s complete undergraduate admission requirements.
Have questions about our admissions requirements or application process? Please connect with our Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more detailed information.
Scholarships for Elementary Education Students
We’re committed to creating more funding opportunities so you can earn your U-M degree. While you may qualify for financial assistance through the Office of Financial Aid, you can also apply for UM-Flint scholarships dedicated to education major students. These include:
- Everett L. and Viola E. Bray Scholarship
- James H. and Sara Burnham Memorial Scholarship
- Kathryn Carl Education Scholarship
- Ralph M. and Emmalyn E. Freeman Education and Human Services Scholarship
- Edward F. Gwiazdowski Scholarship
- Dale Edward Kildee Education Scholarship
- School of Education & Human Services Alumni Scholarship for Education
- Clarence and Arteka Sevillian Scholarship for Elementary Education Students
- Marian E. Wright Scholarship for Elementary Education Students
- Norma J. Wright-Kendall Scholarship for Elementary Education
Pursue a Rewarding Career by Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
Want to make a difference in children’s lives? Earning your Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares you to become a skilled educator with a solid pedagogical foundation and a passion for supporting children through formative learning experiences. Fine-tune your teaching style and make lasting career connections through your student teaching endeavors.
Begin your undergraduate education by applying to UM-Flint’s elementary education degree program today. Or, if you have questions, you can contact Linda Blakey at [email protected] or 810-424-5215.