Academic Communities
Science Education
The Graduate Study in Science Education offers Ph.D. and master’s students an opportunity to gain practical experience in science teaching and research. Science educators at the College of Education are committed to helping students build programs of study connected to multiple scientific fields. Our programs include biological science, environmental education, developing science curriculum materials, physics and science for social justice. Faculty work closely with students to tailor the program to their interests in order to develop the future science scholars and educators.
Learn more about our Science Education faculty
Literacy Education
Michigan State has a long history of educating reading specialists, literacy coaches, master’s-level classroom teachers, and other literacy leaders. Our outstanding faculty and master’s students view master’s-level education as a crucial piece of our efforts to understand and improve language and literacy education at all levels throughout the world. At the doctoral level, through advising, research and teaching assistantships, the literacy colloquium series, courses, and a number of other experiences, we seek to develop doctoral students who meet a multi-faceted, rigorous set of standards for those specializing in language and literacy education.
Learn more about our Literacy Education faculty
Global Educators Cohort Program
Visit the Global Cohort Program website
To meet the challenge of preparing future educators for personal and professional success in the global context of the 21st Century, the College of Education at Michigan State University has launched the Global Educators Cohort Program (GECP). The GECP is a specialized Teacher Preparation Program focused on global and international perspectives. Cohort participants enjoy all the benefits of a nationally ranked teacher preparation program but also have the opportunity to study, socialize, and engage in hands-on, practical learning activities with a small group of fellow students. GECP students enjoy many advantages, such as individualized mentorship by faculty, practicing teachers, and administrators with expertise and experience in global and international education; opportunities to participate in special seminars, undergraduate research opportunities, and special, smaller, faculty-led, course sections designed specifically for members of GECP.
Urban Educators Cohort Program
Visit the Urban Cohort Program website
The Urban Educators Cohort Program is special program for those with an interest in urban education at the elementary or secondary level. The program focuses on preparing future teachers to meet the unique demands of urban education. Likewise, the program addresses the “culturally-responsive” knowledge and skills that teachers must be equipped to teach in an urban setting. Students who are interested in areas of high need such as mathematics, science, English as a second language and special education at both the elementary and secondary levels are especially encouraged to apply.
Interaction in Practice
The Department of Teacher Education includes faculty, students and staff with a broad array of interests: social justice and globalization, teaching and learning, teacher education and professional development, critical pedagogy, mathematics and literacy, science and social studies. Faculty and students come from different backgrounds: sociology, psychology, anthropology. Because Michigan State University is a world grant institution, our obligations are also many: to serve local schools and educators, to do high quality research, to development curriculum and policy materials, to teach well.
Many large organizations make their work more intimate and meaningful by creating smaller communities within the larger collective. We take a similar approach, and thus there are many overlapping communities within our department. Some of these communities focus on particular research projects, like the Environmental Literacy project or the Literacy Achievement Research Center. Other groups share an interest in specific curricular domains, including mathematics, science and social studies/history. Some groups pursue interests in social justice, including the Urban Educators Cohort Program and the GLBT Safe Schools. We also have student groups like the Read to Succeed and Kappa Delta Pi. These communities all welcome new members and are constantly changing.
Research Projects and Centers
We believe teaching and research go hand in hand. Over the decades, the college has been home to major research centers and institutes that have led to new understandings of teachers, teaching and student learning. This is why we promote and value various research projects and centers within our department. Faculty, staff and students work hard to improve teaching through research. Our research and centers make the Department of Education a dynamic place to study education.
Affinity Groups
In our department, we encourage students and faculty to pursue their passions and interests when it comes to the field of education. We give space for interest groups to develop and encourage active participation in these groups.
LGBTQA+ GROUPS
Visit the LGBTQA+ Students Website
The Career Services is a campus resource that is working to promote a safe school community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (LGBTQ) students, faculty, staff and families. We have several areas of concern including:
- Creating a safe environment within the MSU College of Education for all students, faculty and staff.
- Educating and supporting MSU undergraduate students and interns so they are prepared to support LGBTQ students, families and colleagues in the K-12 setting.
- Supporting MSU undergraduate students and interns who have concerns about addressing their sexual orientation as they enter K-12 classrooms as part of a field placement or beyond.
- Raising awareness of LGBTQ issues in MSU’s College of Education.
We work to address these concerns through several means: providing speakers and resources, connecting to other LGBTQ organizations at MSU and in K-12 schools, and sponsoring support groups for interns, undergraduate and graduate students. We hold biweekly brownbag meetings, which are open to anyone who is interested. Contact: gscc@msu.edu for more information.
Doctoral Focal Areas
Faculty and doctoral students may affiliate with one or more of the department’s focal areas. These focal-area groups are intended to serve both as scholarly communities that foster conversation and stimulate inquiry and as vehicles for program and course planning.
Student Organizations
Students in the Department of Teacher Education are future leaders. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to take part in organizations that are based around their interests. We believe that this will help foster their development as a professional educator.
Become a Leader, Get Involved!
Many of your learning experiences happen outside the classroom through involvement in student government, clubs and volunteer experiences. In the Department of Teacher Education, we value these experiences and therefore offer many opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to become involved in various student organizations. These experiences not only add to your learning here at MSU but can also add professional development for your teaching career.
Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society of, about and for educators. Invitation to membership is based on high academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession. Undergraduate, post baccalaureate and graduate students with cumulative grade point averages of 3.5, 3.75 and 3.85 respectively, are invited to join. Monthly speakers and chapter service projects foster professional development among members.
SMEA
The Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) is a pre-professional organization that provides community service and professional development opportunities to Education students. SMEA is the student chapter of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and the National Education Association (NEA). If you would like to gain more knowledge of the education field, and have more experience working with children, SMEA is the organization for you! Contact smea@msu.edu or visit the website for more information.
Friendshop
Are you interested in working with kids? Friendshop is an after-school enrichment program at local elementary schools run entirely by MSU students. Contact: friends@msu.edu.
Read To Succeed
Read to Succeed gives students the opportunity to volunteer as tutors for local children who are struggling with reading and writing. As part of the MSU Student Literacy Corps, the program serves elementary school students in East Lansing and Lansing before and after school, plus an evening option for K-12 students from other school districts. For more information, contact Pat Williams at (517) 420-1849 or (517) 485-4949. MSU students must go to 347 Erickson Hall to sign up and attend a training session before they can begin tutoring.
Student Council For Exceptional Children
The Student Council For Exceptional Children is a student chapter of the National Council for Exceptional Children. The group promotes awareness of exceptional children through discussion and service.
TEAM
Tomorrow’s Educators for the Advancement of Multiculturalism is an organization for those interested in teaching to promote diversity, both within and outside the classroom, through academic and civic engagement. Contact: teammail@msu.edu
MSU Student Literacy Corps
This student-run organization is an active element of the Capital Area Literacy Coalition (CALC). Drawing its members from all academic classes and departments at Michigan State University, the Student Literacy Corps assists in the coalition’s operation from tutoring and office work to publicity to planning fund-raising events.
Service Learning
The Department of Teacher Education at MSU values service learning. We see service learning as an opportunity to better understand children, schools, and communities. Service learning allows our students to develop the ability to work within and across a range of community and professional contexts.
Learning Through Service
We see service learning as one important aspect of our teacher preparation program and many courses require students to complete various hours of service learning in diverse environments (e.g., tutoring programs in schools, community refugee center). Not only does service learning give back to the local and state communities that support our teacher education students and program, but it is also a time for students to familiarize themselves with diverse communities around campus. Service learning allows our students to develop the ability to work within and across a range of community and professional contexts.
Service-Learning Center
The Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, located in the Student Services Building on campus, has lists of volunteer opportunities appropriate for education majors. Volunteer placements are in classrooms with youth groups and tutoring programs. This is a great way to get experience with learners!
Read to Succeed program
Read to Succeed/MSU Student Literacy Corps:
Contact: Pat Williams
(517) 420-1849 or (517) 485-4949
Visit 347 Erickson Hall
East Lansing Public Schools
Tutoring grades 9-12
Lansing School District
Tutoring and afterschool volunteers, K-12
The Specialization in Health Promotion
This specialization is designed to assist students in understanding health issues that will serve as a basis for personal and professional growth and positive lifestyle changes. For more information see Jo Hartwell in 134 Erickson Hall.
The Specialization in Coaching
This specialization is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that will enable them to coach effectively and safely in school, community-youth, and adult sports programs. For more information see Jo Hartwell in 134 Erickson Hall.
Refugee Development Center
The Greater Lansing area is home to a large population of refugees from all corners of the world. Many of these individuals have suffered grave injustices and lived in places where they had little to no control over their lives. They have lost family, friends, homes and entire communities to greed.