ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION
Public school teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher education program and be licensed by the state of Michigan. Students pursuing degrees in education will be selecting majors and/or minors for the degree at the bachelor level.
Kellogg Community College’s Elementary and Secondary Education Program has partnered with several bachelor’s-degree granting institutions to facilitate a smooth transition for students. At the community college level, students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in either elementary or secondary education should follow the transfer guide for the institution they intend to enter at the junior class level.
Each bachelor’s-degree granting institution will vary in program requirements. It is critical that community college students seek out program requirements for entry and for graduation from bachelor’s-degree granting institutions as soon as possible, even as early as their freshman year at KCC.
KCC offers a two-year Associate of Elementary Education degree for students focused on elementary education and an Associate in Arts degree for students focused on secondary education.
Associate of Elementary Education
KCC’s Associate of Elementary Education students earn approximately half the credits toward a four-year bachelor’s degree at KCC and complete the remaining courses required through a university. Elementary Education students at KCC follow a clearly defined degree path by following an articulation guide tailored to each student’s bachelor’s-degree granting institution of choice.
Associate in Arts Degree
For students with a focus on secondary education, there are many benefits to earning an Associate in Arts degree on the way to completing a bachelor’s degree. Benefits include more job opportunities, increased income earning potential and the opportunity to work in an education setting to gain valuable experience while completing training requirements to become a state-licensed teacher.
Advising & Transfer
View transfer guides outlining opportunities for students looking to transfer their KCC credits to a four-year institution. Contact Academic Advising at 269-965-4124 or advising@kellogg.edu to schedule an appointment to plot a personal transfer plan or contact KCC’s Early Childhood and Teacher Education Department at 269-565-2109.
KCC students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary or secondary education are recommended to do the following:
- Meet with an academic advisor to design an individualized academic plan for KCC courses that will best transfer to the student’s chosen four-year college or university.
- Students focusing on Elementary Education should meet with Education Program Specialist Ann Miller to discuss course offerings. Ann Miller can be reached at millera2@kellogg.edu.
- Students should contact their transfer institution early in their freshman year to determine specific transfer requirements. Note that some transfer schools require a dual application process, one for admission into the institution and a second for admission into the specific school of education.
Benefits of Study at KCC
Students studying Elementary and Secondary Education at KCC:
- Have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Elementary Education degree
- Have access to a defined degree path
- Have the opportunity to complete entry-level requirements for further study at a bachelor’s-degree granting institution
- Have access to industry and personal student advising services
- Have access to a wide variety of academic and occupational departments on campus through which students can collaborate for unique experiences
