February 12, 2016
SVSU to offer college credit to graduates of teacher cadet programs
Saginaw Valley State University has signed an agreement with the Michigan Department of Education that will allow high school students from approved teacher cadet programs to receive university credit.
“We are dedicated to providing the best opportunities for students who want to pursue careers in education,” said Craig Douglas, dean of SVSU’s College of Education. “Many students feel a calling to be a teacher at a young age. This agreement empowers students to expedite their college education while still in high school.”
Under the agreement, students who graduate high school having completed an approved Teacher Cadet Career and Technical Education program will receive SVSU credit for the introductory teacher education course (TE 100/101) that is a prerequisite for SVSU's education programs.
There are nearly 50 approved teacher cadet programs in Michigan.
“The job market for teachers is improving dramatically, and that trend will continue, especially in Michigan,” Douglas said. “So this is part of our commitment to providing the best educators to support our region and our state and get outstanding students into the teaching pipeline to educate future generations.”
To qualify, high school students must complete each of the 12 segments of the teacher cadet program, including the field work component, with a GPA of at least 3.0. Upon successfully enrolling at SVSU within three years of high school graduation, students must complete at least 12 credits as a full-time student, in addition to other requirements, prior to applying for the articulation credit.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts nearly 700,000 new jobs in education fields through 2024, making it no. 8 on the list of occupations expected to see the most job growth over the next decade. (http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/projections-occupation.htm)
For more information on SVSU’s teacher cadet agreement, contact the College of Education at 989-964-7107.