Northern Michigan University will roll out a revised bachelor’s degree program in elementary education.The new dual-endorsement major in grades pre-K through third grade and grades 3-6 is designed to prepare individuals to teach the core content areas of literacy, mathematics, science and social studies. It aligns with Michigan Department of Education certification requirements and involves campus-based coursework and clinical experiences. (Photo courtesy of NMU)

MARQUETTE — This fall, Northern Michigan University will roll out a revised bachelor’s degree program in elementary education.

The new dual-endorsement major in grades pre-kindergarten through third grade and grades 3-6 is designed to prepare individuals to teach the core content areas of literacy, mathematics, science and social studies. It aligns with Michigan Department of Education certification requirements and involves campus-based coursework and clinical experiences.

“The schools that employ our graduates said it was critical that NMU offers both PK-3 and 3-6 together,” associate dean of teacher education Joe Lubig told the NMU Board of Trustees before approval.

“These are technically two separate licensure areas and will remain that way, but at NMU, students will be able to complete both through a 120-credit curriculum and 600 or more hours of onsite training.”

Lubig also said students going into the program can transfer credit hours from community and tribal colleges to NMU so as to not extend the time to earn a degree. In addition, high school students completing a career technical education program can transfer coursework directly to NMU.

“There’s still a teacher shortage and we’re really trying to focus our program in our space, which is the rural environment,” he said.

The new program is a revision of the previous K-8 model. Lubig said the plan is to shift secondary education to grades 7-12 and focus on integrated science, social studies, English language arts, mathematics and special education programs. That restructuring is scheduled for this summer.