4th/5th Generalist Endorsement Program
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
1. What is this program and what is it designed for?
In response to requests from the field, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) created the 4th
& 5th Grade Generalist Endorsement, which prepares students to teach at the 4th and 5th grade
level in addition to age 3 through 3rd grade, the age band for the current Early Childhood
License. The program emphasizes Ohio academic content standards for grades 4 & 5, pedagogy
and methods appropriate for 4th and 5th grade students, and a deep understanding of topics
related to child development and learning. Students who currently hold or are seeking the Early
Childhood License expand their teaching horizons and enhance their employability by filling an
explicit need in the State of Ohio. Schools profit from greater flexibility in teacher assignments,
and teachers with the endorsement benefit from a highly competitive edge in the educational
job market. ODE has more information on the endorsement here: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/
2. When does the program start?
The program begins in the fall of 2013. Courses will be offered every semester, including
summer.
3. Who can take the courses?
Courses are open to undergraduate early childhood majors within 30 hours of graduation who
are in good academic standing and receive the proper permissions to take graduate courses (see
section on application and admission process), current CSU graduate students who want to add
the endorsement program to their studies who receive the proper permissions, and current
teachers with an Early Childhood License who wish to add the endorsement to that license.
Please note that in order to receive the endorsement, a student must first possess an Early
Childhood Teaching License. The endorsement will be added on to that license. (Undergraduates
from other majors may potentially take endorsement courses. Please consult with advising.)
4. Can I attend part-time or take classes in the evenings?
Eight semester hours is considered full time at the graduate level, so if only taking endorsement
courses, students would not be considered full time because only two courses are offered per
semester. Students may take one or two courses each semester for up to six semester hours
(each course is three credit hours). In addition, classes are only offered in the evenings, and 521
and 523 are conducted in a blended web and face-to-face format. However, the 30-40 hours of
field experience are conducted during the school day.
5. How long does it take to complete the endorsement?
The endorsement can be completed in as few as two semesters but is more easily completed in
three. Undergraduates can complete half of it during their last two semesters before graduation
and then complete the last two courses in the summer after a spring graduation in order to have
both their Early Childhood License and the 4th/5th Generalist Endorsement in time for the
following academic year. Undergraduates graduating during other terms can be prepared to
obtain the endorsement within one term of graduation.
6. What are the courses and the course schedule?
ECE 521: Development and Education in Grades 4 & 5 (3 credit hours)
Focuses on the development and learning of 8-12 year olds and relevant teaching strategies,
including conflict resolution, classroom management, content integration, collaborative
curriculum planning, active and meaningful learning activities, and child advocacy. Includes a 3040 hour field experience. This course is taught in a blended web and face-to-face format that
combines online learning and traditional classroom instruction.
ECE 523: Integrated Language Arts & Social Studies Education in Grades 4 & 5 (3 credit hours)
Focuses on the integration of language arts in the content areas and social studies for 4th/5th
graders, including foundations of reading, language in writing, communication, comprehension,
content area language arts strategies, economics, geography, Ohio history, and forming
democratic attitudes and modes of civic participation in a diverse world. This course is taught in
a blended web and face-to-face format that combines online learning and traditional classroom
instruction.
ECE 525: Mathematics Education in Grades 4 & 5 (3 credit hours)
Focuses on problem-centered lessons and content/methodology appropriate for 4th and 5th
graders. Special topics include inquiry mathematics and changing teacher practices to include a
problem-rich mathematics environment that integrates the use of technology.
ECE 527: Science Education in Grades 4 & 5 (3 credit hours)
Includes topics such as 4th/5th grade science content, instruction & assessment; background/
principles/philosophy of science education, state standards, technology integration, and current
research & best practices.
Tentative Course Schedule for Academic Year 2013-2014
Fall 2013
ECE 525
ECE 527
Spring 2014
ECE 521
ECE 523
Summer 2014
ECE 525
ECE 523
7. Is there a Praxis exam upon completion of the program?
The Ohio Department of Education is transitioning away from Praxis exams, and all teaching
licensure and endorsement candidates will begin taking different tests after September 1, 2013.
The endorsement will likely require you to pass the Elementary Education Subtest I or II. The
exact structure and content of tests has not been finalized as of the release of this information
sheet. More information about the future tests and drafts of the content can be found at
www.oh.nesinc.com and http://www.oh.nesinc.com/PDFs/OH018_019_ElemEd_OBJ_DRAFT.pdf
for the Elementary Education Subtests I and II.
8. Who should I contact for additional information?
Starting in the summer of 2013, interested students can contact Dr. Karl Wheatley in the Early
Childhood Education program at k.wheatley@csuohio.edu. Until then, please contact Dr. Dinah
Volk at d.volk@csuohio.edu. For application and admission questions, please contact the ESSC
advising office at coe.advising@csuohio.edu or 216.687.4625.
Application and Admission Process
1. What are the requirements for admission?
To be eligible, you must currently hold or be pursuing a teaching license in early childhood
education.
To begin taking courses as an undergraduate you must have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA and a
minimum 3.00 GPA in your major. You must also get permission from the Teacher Education
Department Chair (Dr. Clifford Bennett), the course instructor, and your advisor. The process for
undergraduates is explained more fully below.
Current CSU graduate students must meet with an ESSC advisor and get advisor approval to add
the endorsement program to their graduate program of study.
To enter as a new student at the graduate level you must have a minimum 2.75 overall
undergraduate GPA or have passed the MAT at the 50th percentile or above or have a combined
raw score of 1000 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE and complete an online
application.
2. How do I apply if I am a(n):
a. Undergraduate
Undergraduates may begin taking courses when they are within 30 hours of graduation
and if they are in good academic standing with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA and a 3.0
GPA in their major. (If these conditions are not met and a student still wishes to take
courses as an undergraduate, please contact the ESSC advising office.) To take these
courses they must complete the Undergraduate Student Permission to Take Graduate
Courses form that can be found here:
http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/students/pdf/undergradstudentpermission.pdf.
As part of the form the student must get permission from the instructor, their advisor,
and the department chair (Dr. Clifford Bennett) in order to take the courses. One form
can be completed for both courses should the student want to take two while still an
undergraduate.
Upon graduation, the student can opt to officially enroll in the endorsement program
and take the final two courses immediately during that summer semester. In order to do
this, the student should apply for license-only graduate status for that summer semester
during the fall or spring semester of their senior year. Failure to do this will prevent
them from being able to register for summer classes. To apply for license-only graduate
status, students can complete the online application and will have to pay a $30
application fee. However, since you completed your undergraduate degree at Cleveland
State you will not have to submit official transcripts, GRE/MAT scores, or any
recommendation letters. The application can be found at
http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/degree.html.
b. Existing CSU Graduate Student
Current graduate students may add the endorsement program to their Program of
Study form by filing a Program Change Request form. This form has an option to add a
program and that is where you will fill in “4th/5th Generalist Endorsement.” You must
meet with an ESSC advisor to complete this form, and it requires an advisor signature.
c. Teacher Seeking the Endorsement Only
New students will have to complete the online application that can be found at
http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/degree.html. When applying, be sure
to indicate that you are applying for license-only graduate status and choose the 4th/5th
Generalist Endorsement program from the dropdown menu. The application requires a
$30 fee and transcripts from all institutions that have granted you a bachelor’s or
graduate level degree. If you completed any of those degrees at Cleveland State you do
not need to submit a transcript for them; admissions can access them. However, if you
do not have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA please note that you will need to submit a
minimum combined raw GRE score of 1000 or MAT scores indicating you passed at the
50th percentile or above. Failure to submit these scores will result in rejection from the
endorsement program. You cannot receive a refund for your application fee if this
occurs.
d. Non-degree Seeking
This program does not allow non-degree seeking students due to the potential inability
to complete the endorsement. In this case, students would need to change their status
to license-only. Consult with ESSC advising for this process.
Financial Information
1. How much does the program cost?
The cost of the program is approximately $6279. This is based on a rate of $510.75 per credit
hour for in-state tuition plus a $75 technology fee for each of the two blended online/face-toface courses. Please note that undergraduates taking the first two courses during their final two
semesters will pay a lesser fee per credit hour for those first two courses. These numbers do not
account for miscellaneous fees and costs such as books, parking, etc.
In addition, all rates are subject to change. The tuition and fee information provided here is not
intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change pending an action by the Board or the
Ohio Legislature. Changes become effective on the date of enactment. This information should
be used only as a guide for estimating tuition and fees.
2. What type of financial assistance is available?
For financial aid information please contact Campus411 in the Main Classroom building at 2121
Euclid Avenue. They can also be reached via email at allin1@csuohio.edu or over the phone at
216.687.5411 or toll free at 888.CSUOHIO.
3. Will I need an updated BCI/FBI fingerprinting and background check?
If your fingerprinting and background check are more than one year old you will need to renew
them. This is a $60 fee and can be completed at CSU. You can also have this done at a number of
independent agencies for varying costs.