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Elementary Education Transfer Guide for Grand Rapids Community College

Ferris Program: Elementary Education
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science
Ferris College: College of Arts, Sciences, and Education
Transfer School: Grand Rapids Community College
Consortium Eligible: Yes
Articulation Agreement: Yes
Total Credits Required: 119-121
Catalog Year: 2022-2023
The effective dates for this articulation agreement are July 1, 2022 - July 1, 2025.

This Articulation Agreement and Transfer Guide establishes a transfer pathway from the Pre-Elementary Education, A.A. degree at Grand Rapids Community College into the Elementary Education, B.S. degree at Ferris State University.

General Education Requirements

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41-42 Credits Required

  •  Communication Competency
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    COMM 121 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3 COM 131
    ENGL 150 English 1 (B or higher) 3 EN 101
    ENGL 250 English 2 (B or higher) 3 EN 102
    ENGL 321 Advanced Composition 3 No Equivalent
  •  Quantitative Literacy
    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    MATH 114 or MATH 115 or MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning for Professionals 2 or Intermediate Algebra or Contemporary Mathematics 4 or 3 or 4 MA 115 or
    MA 107 or
    MA 124
  •  Natural Sciences Competency

    Two courses are required with a minimum of 6 credits: must have at least one lab course.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    BIOL 103 Biological Concepts 4 BI 101
    PHSC 115 Inquiry into Physical Science 4 PC 101
  •  Cultural Competency

    Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines and have at least one at FSU 200 level or higher course.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    HIST 121 United States History to 1877 3 HS 160
    HIST 230 Michigan History 3 HS 260
    LITR 326 Children's Literature 3 No Equivalent
  •  Self and Society Competency

    Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines and have at least one at FSU 200 level or higher course, and at least one Self and Society Foundation course.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    GEOG 100 Geography of World Regions 3 GE 135
    PLSC 121 American Government 1 - People & Politics 3 PS 110
    ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics 3 EC 252

College Requirements

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80-81 Credits Required

 
  •  Major Courses

    15 Credits Required. These courses are used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    MATH 208 Elementary School Mathematics 1 3 MA 226
    MATH 209 Elementary School Mathematics 2 3 MA 227
    EDLA 261 Foundations of Literacy 3 EDU 205
    ENGL 301 Introduction to Linguistics 3 No Equivalent
    MATH 307 Elementary School Mathematics 3 3 MA 240

Pre-Kindergarten Through Third Grade Concentration (ELPK)

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66 Credits Required

  •  Level 1 Courses

    15 Credits Required. Students may only retake two of the six Level 1 courses. Students may not repeat any education course more than once. These courses are not used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    EDCD 112 Theories of Child Development 3 EDU 118
    EDCD 115 Observations & Documentation of Children 3 EDU 209
    EDCD 161 Foundations of Education 3 EDU 200
    EDCD 211 Methods of Teaching Preschool & School Age Children 4 EDU 229
    EDUC 261 Children's Healthy Living 2 No Equivalent
  •  Level 2 Courses

    39 Credits Required. Prior to enrolling in any Level 2 courses, all students must meet the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements, currently Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); see advisor for options. Complete all Level 1 courses with a minimum of 2.50 GPA with no grade lower than a C, have a 2.50 cumulative GPA, and complete a Level 2 application. Students may not repeat any education course more than once. These courses are not used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    EDCD 308 Teaching Special Needs in Education & Childhood Education 3 No Equivalent
    EDLA 311 Advanced Foundations of Literacy Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDMA 331 Math Methods of Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDSC 331 3D Science Methods for Elementary Education Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDUC 361 Instructional Design 3 No Equivalent
    EDLA 411 Literacy Instruction & Assessment Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade 4 No Equivalent
    EDLA 419 Literacy Methods Field Experience Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDMA 419 Math Methods Field Experience Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDSC 419 Science Methods Field Experience Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDSS 419 Social Studies Methods Field Experience Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDLA 431 Literacy Methods of Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 4 No Equivalent
    EDMA 431 Math Assessments & Supports Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDSC 431 Advanced 3D Science Methods of Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDSS 431 Social Studies Methods of Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDLA 461 Language & Literacy Capstone 3 No Equivalent
  •  Level 3 Courses

    12 Credits Required. Prior to enrolling in Level 3 courses, all students must pass the Michigan test for teacher certification in their subject area. Students must obtain the appropriate GPA for their major as established by each department. A 2.75 GPA is required in the professional education course sequence. A 2.50 cumulative GPA is also required before student teaching. Students may not repeat any education course more than once. These courses are not used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    EDUC 499 Student Teaching (Dept. Approval) 12 No Equivalent

Third Grade Through Sixth Grade Concentration (ELTS)

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65 Credits Required

  •  Level 1 Courses

    14 Credits Required. Students may only retake two of the six Level 1 courses. Students may not repeat any education course more than once. These courses are not used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    EDCD 115 Observation & Documentation of Children 3 EDU 209
    EDUC 161 Foundations of Education 3 EDU 200
    EDUC 251 Human Growth Development 3 EDU 118
    EDUC 261 Children's Healthy Living 2 No Equivalent
    EDUC 289 Principles of Teaching & Learning 3 PY 251
  •  Level 2 Courses

    39 Credits Required. Prior to enrolling in any Level 2 courses, all students must meet the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements, currently Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); see advisor for options. Complete all Level 1 courses with a minimum of 2.50 GPA with no grade lower than a C, have a 2.50 cumulative GPA, and complete a Level 2 application. Students may not repeat any education course more than once. These courses are not used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    EDLA 321 Advanced Foundations of Literacy Third Grade through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDMA 331 Math Methods for Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDSC 331 3D Science Methods for Elementary Education Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDUC 361 Instructional Design 3 No Equivalent
    EDUC 415 Teaching Special Needs 3 No Equivalent
    EDLA 421 Literacy Instruction and Assessment Third Grade through Sixth Grade 4 No Equivalent
    EDLA 429 Literacy Methods Field Experience Third Grade through Sixth Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDMA 429 Math Methods Field Experience Third Grade through Sixth Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDSC 429 Science Methods Field Experience Third Grade through Sixth Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDSS 429 Social Studies Methods Field Experience Third Grade through Sixth Grade 1 No Equivalent
    EDLA 431 Literacy Methods of Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 4 No Equivalent
    EDMA 431 Math Assessments & Supports Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDSC 431 Advanced 3D Science Methods of Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDSS 431 Social Studies Methods of Teaching Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade 3 No Equivalent
    EDLA 461 Language & Literacy Capstone 3 No Equivalent
  •  Level 3 Courses

    12 Credits Required. Prior to enrolling in Level 3 courses, all students must pass the Michigan test for teacher certification in their subject area. Students must obtain the appropriate GPA for their major as established by each department. A 2.75 GPA is required in the professional education course sequence. A 2.50 cumulative GPA is also required before student teaching. Students may not repeat any education course more than once. These courses are not used to calculate the major 2.75 GPA requirement.

    Ferris Course Ferris Course Title Ferris Credit Hours Transfer Course
    EDUC 499 Student Teaching (Dept. Approval) 12 No Equivalent

Program Contact Information

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College of Arts, Sciences, and Education
School of Education
(231) 591-5361
[email protected] 

Ferris Statewide - GRCC
(616) 451-4777
[email protected] 

Admission Requirements

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New Student Admission Requirements

  • 2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
  • Minimum Composite ACT Score of 17/SAT 900

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

  • Combined college or university GPA of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA based on completion of 12 transferable semester credit hours or more.
  • Completion of ENGL 150 or transfer equivalent of C grade or higher 
  • Completion of MATH 114, 115, or 117 or transfer equivalent of C grade or higher. 
  • The degree completion program at a statewide and online location requires 30 transferable semester credits to be admitted and completion of ENGL 150, ENGL 250, COMM 121, MATH 114, 115 or 117, or transfer equivalent courses of C grade or higher.
 

More Information

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Select courses may be delivered online and/or in a mixed delivery format (i.e. a mix of online and face-to-face instruction at the Ferris Main Campus or at a statewide location).

To fulfill the residency requirement for a bachelor’s degree a student must earn a minimum of 30 credits from Ferris State University.

Steps to Apply

  • Complete your free application.
  • Submit official transcripts
    • Submit official transcripts from every school attended to [email protected]
    • Or mail to:
      Ferris State University Admissions Office
      1201 S. State St., CSS 201
      Big Rapids, MI 49307
  • Submit test scores (if required)
    • ACT Scores; go to the ACT website - Ferris State University School Code: 1994
    • SAT, CLEP and AP Sores; go to the College Board website - Ferris State University School Code: 1222

Advising Notes

It is recommended that potential applicants meet with an advisor to review the degree, course schedule, transfer policies and have any questions answered prior to completing an application. Ferris accepts transfer courses in which the student earned a letter grade of "C" or better. Additional policies such as the Ferris Sunset and Residency Requirement should be discussed with a Ferris advisor. Students who are completing the MTA may have different general education course requirements for the particular degree selected.

Meeting with a Ferris advisor prior to the selection of general education or elective coursework may reduce the chance of completing a course that will not apply toward the selected degree. Students must work with their Ferris advisor to declare a Minor or Concentration and for the selection of Directed Electives.

Once admitted, students are required to complete an orientation and should continue to meet with an advisor as they work toward graduation.

To schedule an appointment or for additional transfer resources and policies see our Transfer Resource page.

*Indicates an approved Ferris course substitution

Reverse Transfer Agreement

Ferris has reverse transfer agreements with several Michigan Community Colleges. Under such agreement, Ferris will provide your official University transcript to a partner school you have attended, so that they may grant you an associate or bachelor's degree upon completion of sufficient and appropriate credit hours from both institutions. In turn, the degree-granting institution will provide Ferris with an updated transcript reflecting the newly earned credential.

Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)

Ferris participates in the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). This agreement will facilitate the transfer of general education requirements from one Michigan institution to another. Students may complete the MTA as part of a degree program or as a stand-alone package. The MTA consists of a minimum of 30 general education credit hours as identified by the college or university.

Students transferring to Ferris with the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) and entering a degree program will have met a 30-hour block of lower-level general education courses. However, this does not exempt students from completing program-specific prerequisites or higher-level general education course requirements. Students should contact their advisor regarding classes that meet the MTA.

Transfer Equivalencies Tools

The transfer equivalencies link is located in the Transfer Resources section at transfer.ferris.edu.

Disclaimer

Transfer guides are not intended to be a contract with Ferris. The information in this guide is subject to change and is aligned with the catalog year listed above. Students should contact their community college and/or Ferris to keep informed of changes. Students' final responsibility for verifying all transfer information lies with the student. Please refer to the Ferris catalog for the most current curriculum.

Partners may contact the Office of Transfer and Secondary School Partnerships with questions or updates at [email protected].