General University Studies

The General University Studies Curriculum programs are designed for students who have a transferable associate’s degree or junior status (56 hours), who are in good academic standing. Exceptions will be considered under special circumstances. The admission process is continuous. Applications may be submitted at any time during the calendar year. The University’s terms begin in September (Fall), January (Spring), May (Summer I) and June (Summer II). To be admitted to this program, students should complete the admission steps at least two months prior to the start of classes.

Program Areas

Occupational Education Studies

Geraldine Schma, Advisor

This Bachelor of Science program is designed for those who wish to become a certified teacher in a technical/occupational subject area. The program leads to a state of Michigan Secondary Provisional Certificate with a vocational endorsement. The program appeals to individuals desiring to teach technical/occupational subjects in comprehensive high schools, trade academies, area career and technical centers. The Office of Teacher Certification within the College of Education processes all recommendations for certification and advises students seeking additional teaching endorsements.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the regular University admission requirements, applicants to this program must also meet the following prerequisites required for all degree candidates recommended for teaching certification by the College of Education at the time of application:

Complete ED 250 Human Development or an approved course with a grade of “C” or better;
possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher; and,
achieve passing scores of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC)-Basic Skills Section.

When admission has been granted, the Office of Admissions and Orientation will prepare a credit evaluation which will enable the advisor to prepare a program outline prior to the first registration.

Program Requirements For Occupational Education Studies

1. Complete a teachable major:

A minimum of 30 hours in a teachable technical/occupational program of study, which is approved by the Michigan Department of Education for the OES program and completed at one of the collaborating Michigan community colleges. If an approved program of study was not followed at a Michigan community college, the passing scores of the Michigan Occupational Competency Assessment Center (MOCAC) must be submitted.

2. Complete a teachable minor:

A minimum of 20 hours in a teaching minor sequence for Secondary Education Curriculum approved in consultation with a university advisor.

3. Complete work experience:

A minimum of 4,000 hours of recent and relevant work experience required in the teachable major.

4. Complete the following 21 hours of Professional Education Courses:

CTE 3050 - Career and Employability Skills Credits: 3 hours
CTE 3480 - Student Assessment and Management Credits: 3 hours
CTE 5100 - Special Populations in Career and Technical Education Credits: 3 hours
CTE 5120 - Principles of Career and Technical Education Credits: 3 hours
CTE 5130 - Teaching Methods in Career and Technical Education Credits: 3 hours
CTE 5420 - Curriculum Development in CTE Credits: 3 hours
LS 3050 - K-12 Content Area Literacy Credits: 3 hours

5. Complete the following 12 hours internship and seminar courses:

CTE Seminar in Education Credits: 2 hours
CTE Intern Teaching in CTE Credits: 10 hours

Student Integrated Curriculum

Alexandra Burrel, Advisor

The Student Integrated Curriculum (SIC) is designed for those students in their senior year who seek to change from a specific degree to a general degree. The program appeals to those who late in their academic studies determine that they want to pursue a different career path but wish to use their previous studies to apply to a general degree. The degree also appeals to those who left the University and are already in a profession but wish to enhance themselves by completing their degree. A degree of Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts will be awarded based on the topical areas applied. For more information, see the program advisor.

Student Planned Curriculum

Alexandra Burrel, Advisor

The Student Planned Curriculum (STC) provides students the opportunity to pursue educational goals which cannot readily be accommodated in other University curricula. The usual major/minor requirements are suspended within this program. Instead the individual student, working with an assigned advisor, selects coursework related to the student’s academic and educational goals. Thus, the student enjoys considerable freedom and flexibility in designing such a program. Aside from the University’s General Education and Intellectual Skills requirements, the major consists entirely of elective courses which must be sufficient in number to meet general degree requirements. Students completing this major are eligible to receive either the B.A. or B.S. degree depending upon the particular configuration of course work selected.

The primary uses of the STC fall into three categories: 1) as a preparation for graduate or professional study; 2) as a way to pursue employment possibilities in areas where no conventional curricula exist; and 3) as a convenient way to obtain a broad interdisciplinary undergraduate education without particular concern for career possibilities. Non-traditional students are often especially attracted to it for this latter reason.

Any undergraduate student in good academic standing, with 75 or fewer semester hours earned, is eligible to enter the STC providing they meet program requirements. Those applying for admission into the curriculum are expected to complete a written statement outlining educational goals as well as the proposed course of study.

Once the student has outlined a proposed course of study, the student is required to review the course selections with a faculty member of advisor in the department(s) offering a majority of the proposed courses. The department members will advise the student regarding the course selections. Once a department has provided guidance, the STC advisor oversees the ongoing student progress.