The teacher's certification program at Michigan State is a nationally recognized program that accepts students in their junior year of study. Prospective students must be accepted into the program and complete 20 credits elementary education credits. The teacher preparation program includes a pre-internship year in which students participate in field experiences that stress applying theory to real-world situations. The final year of the program features a year-long internship in which students are placed in a school setting.
Teachers College at Columbia University advertises that its teacher preparation program readies students to teach all children with a special emphasis on urban settings. The college offers an elementary-inclusive program with separate, specialized programs for teaching gifted children and children with disabilities. Prospective teachers learn a variety of approaches to education with emphasis on inquiry-based learning, leadership and sound decision-making practices. Students may complete the program over 13 to 16 months or two years.
The University of Wisconsin at Madison stresses the need to prepare teachers to emphasize high academic achievement for all students but especially those from diverse backgrounds. Coursework allows students to learn about societal issues and how to promote social justice in the classroom. Prospective elementary teachers can prepare for careers in early childhood education or middle school education and may choose to get certification in English as a second language, special education or a content-focused minor.
Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers a field-oriented program that has prospective teachers observing and participating in classrooms in local schools during their freshman year. Prospective teachers must major in elementary education with a second major in liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies or another major. The program culminates in a 15-week student teaching experience. Teacher preparation at Vanderbilt stresses service-based learning. For example, special education students log 500 hours of observation in classroom before they student teach.