Nov 21, 2024  
2024 Siena Heights University Catalog 
    
2024 Siena Heights University Catalog

Education and Special Education


Contact the Director of Education for additional information.

Siena Heights University is approved by the Michigan Department of Education and has been approved to serve as an education preparation institution (EPI).

Through rigorous academic study, an abundance of hours of classroom field experiences (over 250 clock hours), active participation in the performing and visual arts, thorough pedagogical and methodological coursework, and continuous self-assessment and reflection, the philosophy of teaching as an art and a science is put into practice.

Siena Heights has been authorized by the Michigan Department of Education to offer majors and minors in the following program/content areas:

Teacher Certification Approved Program Areas

Majors/Endorsements

Biology (secondary)
Chemistry (secondary)
Child Development (elementary)/ZS Endorsement
Comprehensive Major (elementary)
English
History
Integrated Science
Integrated Science (elementary)
Language Arts (elementary)
Mathematics
Music Education (K-12)
Social Studies (secondary)
Spanish
Special Education (LD/CI endorsement K-12)
Visual Arts (K-12)

Minors/Endorsements

Biology (secondary)
Chemistry (secondary)
Computer Information Systems
English
History
Language Arts (elementary)
Mathematics
Planned Program (elementary)
Spanish

Michigan State Teacher Competency Tests

It is the policy of the Siena Heights University Division of Education (in alignment with the Michigan Department of Education), that all candidates pass current basic skills assessments prior to full acceptance on the certification pathway. Content area tests should also be successfully passed prior to directed teaching. Additional information about specific tests may be obtained from Siena Heights University’s Education Program or the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification website www.MTTC.NESINC.com

First Aid and CPR

Before a teacher preparation institution may recommend an applicant, the applicant shall present to the teacher preparation institution a valid certificate of completion of a course approved by the department in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required by section 1531d of 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1531d. See  www.Michigan.gov/MDE for approved agencies. 

Title II of the Higher Education Act Requirements

A student is considered a “completer” of Siena Height’s Education Program when he/she has completed all the requirements for Siena Heights University and has taken and passed all the relevant state certification tests. Siena Height’s Annual Institutional Report verifies a 100 percent pass rate for all program completers.

Legal Status of Teacher Education Candidates

Candidates for teacher certification need to be aware that conviction as an adult for a felony or a misdemeanor may be grounds for denial of a school field placement, student teaching placement, and/or Michigan teaching certificate. Falsifying records requesting this information is automatic grounds for denial of any of the above.

“D” or “E” Grades

No grade of “D” or “E” will be allowed for the purpose of certification in any course required in the students’ academic majors, minors, or the Professional Education Sequence. In such cases, the courses must either be retaken or substitutions must be made. In cases of substitutions, written permission must be obtained from the program coordinator in the major or minor fields. No substitutions will be allowed in the Professional Education Sequence.

Admission to Teacher Education Program

See certification pathway for all EDU certification requirements.