Bachelor of Science - Elementary Professional Education

Program Description

• The opportunity to be part of a program cohort where support and guidance are made available.
• Ample opportunity to work with children in our public schools, grades K-8.
• A part-time pre-internship where you will work with mentor teachers two full days a week.
• A full-time internship that will be your culminating teaching experience.
• The development of an electronic portfolio to represent professional expertise and experience.

As an elementary education student at WMU, you will be required to complete a full-semester internship under the mentorship of selected teachers in partnership schools and teacher educators from WMU. The internship is designed to prepare you not only for your role as a classroom teacher, but as a professional studying your own teaching practice, participating in site-based decision making and coordinating your work with teachers and other members of the school community. Both school and University faculty will work closely together to support and assist you as you progress through the semester.

You can also gain valuable networking and professional development opportunities through student and community organizations, including the Student Education Association, Bigs on Campus, Kappa Delta Pi, the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association.

Pre-Professional Pathways

Pre-professional is a category for College of Arts and Sciences students at Western Michigan University who intend to enter a professional school after graduating with their bachelor's degrees. If you plan to enter a health profession or attend law school, WMU's pre-professional pathways offer the guidance, support, academic preparation and field experience you need to be successful. Please let your recruiter know if you are interested in one or multiple pathways. The options are:

• Pre-chiropractic
• Pre-dental
• Pre-forensic science
• Pre-law
• Pre-medicine
• Pre-naturopathic medicine
• Pre-optometry
• Pre-pharmacy
• Pre-physical therapy
• Pre-physician assistant
• Pre-public health
• Pre-veterinary
• Pre-secondary education