Oakland University Secondary Teacher Education Program (OU STEP)
Offered by the Department of Teacher Development and Educational Studies
A field-based fifth-year curriculum
State certification to teach in grades 6-12
A year-long, developmental experience
supports learning to teach from within the
culture of school district
Promotes collaboration, and
understanding of diversity in urban
and suburban schools
Secondary Teacher Education Program
In a competitive marketplace, the best jobs go to those who are well prepared. The Oakland University Secondary Teacher Education Program (OU STEP) is designed to prepare you to take your place as a teacher-leader in today's schools. The OU STEP educates a comparatively small number of high quality reflective practitioners who will have the knowledge, skill and capabilities needed to help adolescents achieve the highest levels of intellectual, social and moral development appropriate to life rapidly changing, multi-cultural world.
Participants will be well prepared as teacher-leaders through
- Completion of strong degree major in the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Immersion in a one-year, field-based internship in an area school district.
- Participation in in-service workshops and seminars.
- Association with peers across disciplines who have strong academic backgrounds and a similar desire to excel at teaching
- Interdisciplinary team placement for the internship
- Professional Studies
The OU STEP was developed through the collaboration of the School of Education and Human Services, the College of Arts and Sciences and local school districts. Teaching majors may be earned in biology, chemistry, physics, history, mathematics, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and English. History majors may now also complete the Social Studies (RX) Endorsement and Science majors may also complete the Integrated Science Endorsement at Oakland University. Students who choose to complete these endorsements concurrent with their history major or science major will not be required to complete a minor. Students interested in music certification should contact the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at (248) 370-2030. Teaching minors are available in these subjects plus dance, political science, sociology and economics.
To be Michigan certified students must earn (or have earned) a baccalaureate degree with at least one teaching major and one minor, and have passed the MTTC tests for both. Additionally, the state now requires that candidates for initial teaching certification must present evidence of satisfactory completion of a course in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including a test demonstration on a mannequin, and successful completion of instruction in foreign body airway obstruction management, holding valid certification in these topics issued by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
Field-Based Teacher Education
The program in secondary education uses a field-based model in which the issues and topics that make up the university curriculum are immediately put into practice in public school, public school academy, or selected private school classrooms. Conversely, students' real-life experiences in actual classrooms become the basis for further discussion and study.
Students in the program have a field placement in a public school, public school academy, or selected private school during the semesters they are enrolled in Introduction to Secondary Education (50 hours), and additional 30 hours field placements each semester they are enrolled in professional education coursework. This time is in addition to regular class hours, so be prepared to add it into the schedule.
Commitment to Diversity
Oakland University is committed to preparing teachers who are capable and willing to meet the needs of students with diverse cultural, ethnic and national origins. To this end, students are required to have field placements in both urban and suburban settings, as well as in their major and minor areas, and at both high school and middle school level if possible. Coursework within the program is designed to foster a positive attitude toward multicultural education, an appreciation of the importance of gender equity and an awareness of global issues in the schools.
Professional Course Requirements: The program also requires 36 credit hours of professional education course work.
Pre-Internship Courses (credits)
- Introduction to Secondary Education (4) - plus 50 hours of field experience in major area
- Teaching Reading in Content Areas (4) - plus field hours
- Educational Psychology for K-12 Educators (4) -plus 30 hours of field experience in the minor area
- Methods(Minor)of Teaching Secondary Students (4) -plus field hours
Fifth-Year Internship (credits)
- Teaching of the Major Field (4) -Internship serves as the field placement
- Introduction to Students with Special Needs (4)- Internship serves as field placement unless not taken concurrent with internship
- Internship Fieldwork (12)
**Students must also meet the technology requirements either through enrollment in IST397 or availing themselves of the test out option.
School and Field Services
All field placements and student teaching assignments are arranged by the Office of School and Field Services. Informational meetings for students at various stages of the program are held each semester, with the dates of these meetings published on this website. The Director of Field Services is available to resolve any problems involving placements in the public schools.
Information
For additional information contact:
Teacher Development and Educational Studies: Department Office 248-370-2613
School & Field Services:
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