Earth Science Teacher’s Certificate Program (BS)

Earth and Resource Science Department information  

Program advisor:  R. Repic

The Teacher’s Certificate Program (TCP) is designed to meet the needs of future teachers of secondary Earth Science.  This program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree.

Completion of a Teacher’s Certificate minor in an MDE-approved program is required.  Note:  the Michigan Department of Education does not allow a course to be counted toward the credit requirements of both a major and a minor.

Professional requirements are to be completed in three phases, in sequence, during which the student creates an Individual Major Portfolio. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in each course. 

In addition, for progression from phase to phase and completion of the program, a minimum GPA of B (3.0) or higher in the content coursework and minimum GPAs of B- (2.7) or higher in the professional coursework and overall, are required.

Discipline-Specific Requirements. (29-31 credits).

1. GEO 150 , GEO 151 , GEO 265 , GEO 272 , GEO 282 , GEO 304 , GEO 331 , GEO 370  or GEO 372 , GEO 489 .
2. GEO 499  (2 cr.) required of students who have transferred GEO 150  or GEO 151  or who do not have a combined average grade of 3.0 in these courses taken at UM-Flint.
3. AST 120  (4 credits).
4. Two additional courses (at least 6 credits) in astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, physical geography, or resource planning selected with the advisor’s consent. These courses may not be used toward the TCP minor.
5. Completion of the General Education Requirements  of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), including GEO 115  or GEO 116 . 
6. A Teacher’s Certificate Minor in an MDE-approved program offered at UM-Flint.

Professional Requirements.

1. Course requirements.
   Phase I - Foundational.  ENG 112  or EHS 120 ; PSY 100 ; HIS 220  or HIS 221 ; SEC 200 , SEC 201  (15 cr.).
   Phase II - Pre-professional.  PSY 313 , SEC 320 , SEC 445 ; a course in the history or culture of an American ethnic group from:  AFA 270 /SOC 270 , AFA 331 , AFA 334 /HIS 334 , EDE 305 , ENG 213 , ENG 374 , EDE 432 /PUB 438  (12 cr.).
   Phase III - Professional.  SEC 330 , SEC 344 , SEC 469 , SEC 499  (18 cr.).
2. Transition requirements.
   Acceptance to Phase II.
   1. Completion of at least 55 credits (junior standing), including at least 18 credits in the major and 12 in the minor.
   2. Interview with the TCP advisor, to include discussion of the Dispositions Inventory and pieces for the Individual Major Portfolio.
   3. Successful completion of the MTTC Professional Readiness Examination (PRE).
   4. Completion and acceptance of an application to Phase II, including a felony/misdemeanor form.

Acceptance to Phase III.

1. Completion of at least 85 credits (senior standing), including at least 90% of the major and minor requirements.
2. Interview with the TCP advisor, to include discussion of the Dispositions Inventory and pieces for the Individual Major Portfolio.
3. Completion and acceptance of an application to Phase III, including a felony/misdemeanor form.

Recommendation for teacher certification.

1. Completion of at least 124 credits, including all major and minor requirements.
2. Exit interview with the TCP advisor, to include discussion of the completed Individual Major Portfolio and results of the Student Teaching Evaluation.
3. Completion of the MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) subject area test in the major and minor (where applicable), with a passing score on the major area test.
4. Completion of an advanced and valid course in first aid and adult and child CPR from an approved provider.
5. Completion of all paperwork necessary for certification, including a felony/misdemeanor form.

Prospective candidates should also study the section entitled General Requirements for Teacher Certification .

Minimum Credits For the Degree. 124 credits