Michigan Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in Michigan

There are several routes available for those individuals wishing to become a teacher in Michigan by earning a Michigan teacher certification. Candidates pursuing a traditional route to certification should complete a state-approved teacher preparation program whereas those interested in an alternate approach may receive an interim certificate while they undergo an on-the-job training and mentoring program. In addition, applicants from another state with a valid teaching certificate from that state may be automatically eligible for certification in the state of Michigan.

Spotlight School

Liberty University

Popular Programs:

• AA in Education (Non-Licensure)
• M.Ed. - Teaching and Learning
• M.Ed. Teaching and Learning - Elementary Education
• MA in Teaching - Elementary Education
• And more...

Michigan Teacher Education Requirements

Candidates for Michigan teaching certification who are applying for licensure through the traditional route must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program from an accredited institute of higher education. Teachers who successfully complete the requirements for this route will receive a renewable provisional certificate which is good for up to six years. Additional educational requirements such as the pursuance of a master’s degree is required in order for this provisional certificate to be renewed. In addition, individuals who have completed these requirements and who have at least three years of teaching experience may apply for a Professional Education Certificate.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

Michigan State University: Academic programs within the College of Education at Michigan State University provide students with a rigorous training program that prepares them for a career in teaching and education. Recognized as one of the nation’s top schools for teacher advancement, research, policy and educational administration, Michigan State University is consistently ranked within the top tier for graduate study teaching programs by US News and World Report. In fact, Michigan State has been regularly ranked number one in both elementary and secondary education for the last sixteen years in a row. The program confers all levels of degrees, including bachelor, master, and doctoral. Specialist and online programs are also available for the working professional who already possesses a career in education. There are 11 doctoral programs offered at the university in the College of Education and nationally recognized faculty members teach courses at all levels

Michigan Teacher Testing Requirements

To become a teacher in the state of Michigan generally requires a passing score on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification. Generally, this assessment will include two different tests — one which assesses the candidate’s knowledge of basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, and another which assesses the candidate’s expertise in the content area for which he or she is seeking certification. The only exception to this testing requirement involves out-of-state applicants who are already certified in another state and can provide evidence of their licensure and experience.

Michigan Teacher Salary and Jobs

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Michigan Teacher Interviews

Interview with Colby Sharp, Michigan Language Arts Teacher

Interview with Cossondra George, Michigan Middle School Teacher

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Michigan

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

California University of Pennsylvania

Popular Programs:

• Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
• Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
• MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
• Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
• And more...

University of Phoenix

Popular Programs:

• M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
• B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
• A.A. in Elementary Education
• M.A. in Education/Elementary Teacher Education
• And more...

The University of Texas at Arlington

Popular Programs:

• Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Math
• Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy

Brandman University Online

Popular Programs:

• MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
• BA in Early Childhood Education
• MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
• MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
• And more...

Penn Foster Schools

Popular Programs:

• Teacher Aide

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in California

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in Michigan?

Answer: In Michigan, you can become a substitute teacher if you have completed 90 college credit hours and passed a criminal background check. To work in one position for an extended period of time, you must get a substitute teaching permit through the state education department. Apply to individual districts to find a job as a substitute.

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Michigan

Adrian College
110 S Madison St
Adrian, MI 49221-2575
(517) 265-5161
www.adrian.edu/admissions.php

Albion College
611 E Porter St
Albion, MI 49224
(517) 629-1000
www.albion.edu/admissions/

Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
(800) 253-2874
www.andrews.edu/future/

Aquinas College-Grand Rapids
1607 Robinson Rd SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799
(616) 632-8900
www.aquinas.edu/undergraduate

Baker College of Flint
1050 West Bristol Road
Flint, MI 48507-9987
(810) 766-4000

Baker College of Muskegon
1903 Marquette Ave
Muskegon, MI 49442
(231) 777-8800

Baker College of Owosso
1020 S Washington St
Owosso, MI 48867
(989) 729-3300

Bay de Noc Community College
2001 N Lincoln Road
Escanaba, MI 49829-2511
(906) 786-5802

Calvin College
3201 Burton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 526-6000
www.calvin.edu/admissions/

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-4000
www.cmich.edu/admissions/

College for Creative Studies
201 E Kirby
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 664-7400
www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/hs/admissions

Concordia University-Ann Arbor
4090 Geddes Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 995-7300
www.cuaa.edu/Prospective.html

Cornerstone University
1001 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-5897
(616) 949-5300
www.cornerstone.edu/future_students/

Delta College
1961 Delta Road
University Center, MI 48710
(989) 686-9000
www.delta.edu/futurestudents/admissionsenrollment/default.aspx

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1849
www.emich.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “Eastern Michigan University has a teaching program that is very well known in the state of Michigan for putting out some of the best teachers in the state. I believe that this could be true of the teachers that exit the teaching program but I feel that is more because of the students and not the program. For me, being involved with this program was a large disappointment. The teachers were mostly unavailable with the exception of being in class and occasionally during their listed office hours. It was very difficult to get in touch with a teacher via email or office phone and therefore difficult to get help or additional instructions when necessary. I feel like the majority of the professors are recruited because they are some of the best in their field which is beneficial to Eastern on paper but that does not make them quality teachers and the students that go through the department suffer because of it.” -Rachel S., student at Eastern Michigan University

Student Review: “I very much enjoyed the teaching section of my major. I did not major in teaching but worked to earn my secondary teaching certificate so I can teach if I want to as a career option. I really enjoyed the way everything was set up, but I felt like there was not enough learning the classroom. That is, I never really got a chance to actually teach anyone anything, I just learned how to do it. I know if I started a teaching job tomorrow I’d be nervous about it. I did my student teaching section of the program, which was fun, but I was never given the opportunity to develop my own agenda or lesson plan, I had to use the one my teacher developed for me, which was slightly irritating as well. I wanted to be able to test those skills in addition to teaching. I believe that the program should offer more training in that regard. In addition, I felt like my university failed at helping me find a job in any sense. They may have given me the skills necessary to teach, but did not give me any help in resume building or additional teaching certifications that would separate me from any other candidate. There is no system that is useful to students to help them find jobs. I loved my professors though, they were fantastic and very passionate about teaching, and getting others to be passionate about teaching. I feel like a lot of professors and teachers have their own way of approaching teaching, and I felt like I could relate to their style very easily.” -Arthur C., student at Eastern Michigan University

Ferris State University
1201 S State St
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2251
(231) 591-2000

Gogebic Community College
E 4946 Jackson Rd
Ironwood, MI 49938
(906) 932-4231
www.gogebic.edu/admissions/policies.shtm

Grand Rapids Community College
143 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295
(616) 234-4000
www.grcc.edu/?PageID=2676

Student Review: “Going to community college was not my initial plan. After careful consideration and hours of thinking I came to the conclusion that attending Grand Rapids Community College for two years would save me money over the long run and allow me the luxury of living closer to home.I saved so much money by making this choice. Grand Rapids Community College known as GRCC to the student population is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, MI. It is an open campus spread throughout downtown Grand Rapids with a variety of programs that are offered. Most four year Universities in Michigan have something known as the MACRO agreement which GRCC participates in. The MACRO agreement is basically the standard perquisites that will transfer smoothly from GRCC to the student’s university of choice. GRCC offers an excellent campus life that can be found at four year universities including sport teams, clubs, academic scholarships and much more. There are even opportunities to travel abroad.” -Chad B, student at Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Dr
Allendale, MI 49401-9403
(616) 331-2020
admissions.gvsu.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “Grand Valley State University provides a wonderful college experience. It currently boasts over 24,000 students, and is the fastest growing college in the state of Michigan. Academic rankings are currently on the rise, and many view it has the third best public university in Michigan. The courses are rigorous with a heavy emphasis on collegiate style writing and research. Within the program, it is very balanced and well-rounded. I would recommend this program to anyone that may be interested. Life at Grand Valley State is curious. Although it has a large student population, it is located in a Charter Township with virtually zero outside activities. Most college students travel to the nearby city of Grand Rapids for activity (approximately 20 minutes away). Grand Valley does boast a secondary campus in downtown Grand Rapids, but it is still in the process of growing and expanding.” -John S., student at Grand Valley State University

Hope College
141 E 12th St
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 395-7000

Student Review: “Hope College has been the perfect school for me. The school is a small liberal arts college of about 3,200 students located in beautiful and scenic Holland, MI, only a few miles from Lake Michigan. Hope is a school rooted in Christian tradition where all your professors know your name and care about your progress as a student and as a person. I loved the chemistry department at Hope, and really felt at home all four years. Hope is a fairly strong academic institution while still having a very strong athletic program. If I had to say I disliked anything, it would be the long and harsh winters.” -Kyle G., student at Hope College

Kirtland Community College
10775 N Saint Helen Road
Roscommon, MI 48653
(989) 275-5000
kirtland.edu/admissions/

Lake Superior State University
650 W Easterday Ave
Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783
(906) 632-6841

Lansing Community College
419 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI 48901-7210
(517) 483-1957
www.lcc.edu/admissions/

Lawrence Technological University
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075-1058
(248) 204-4000
www.ltu.edu/futurestudents/

Madonna University
36600 Schoolcraft Rd
Livonia, MI 48150-1176
(734) 432-5300
www.madonna.edu/pages/admissions.cfm

Marygrove College
8425 W McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221-2599
(313) 927-1200
www.marygrove.edu/future-students/admissions/admissions-overview.html

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
(517) 355-1855
www.admissions.msu.edu/

Student Review: “Michigan State University is a great school. It is one of the top rated in the country. I had a wonderful experience there. One of the things that I liked about the school is that they had a lot of different programs and activities as well as clubs that everyone could get involved in. One of the things that I did not like about Michigan State was that the school was so big that it was easy to get lost. There weren’t enough maps around and I also felt that there weren’t enough resources to find out about some of the programs that were being offered as well as some of the scholarships that were available. Another thing that I did not like about Michigan State is that in the department for my major, they had gotten down to only one advisor for everyone in that major, so it was hard to get an advising appointment. Sometimes they had to be booked weeks, maybe even a month in advance.” -Jessica D., student at Michigan State University

Student Review: “The MSU school experience is a great one. I spent my first year at MSU in the dorms, like all freshman, and there I made some great friends that have stayed with me since. The classes that I’ve taken have all been interesting, with some of the best teachers I’ve ever met in charge of the courses. My favorite thing about MSU, though is the stuff that happens outside of the classroom. With the right attitude, anybody can have a great time every weekend, finding school-sponsored activities or sales, or going off to find a party. Every week there’s something new going on and it’s almost always worth checking out.” -Wilson D., student at Michigan State University

Student Review: “My experience at Michigan State University has been a thoroughly rewarding experience because of the great campus life and opportunities available to me there. This past year I began my first year of studies at the university, and I have learned that I will be able to be successful and build a career from my experiences. Even as a new student I was able to get a work position in a research lab, which turned out to be very educational and challenging. The best aspect of Michigan State is the beautiful and spacious campus, which is what drew me towards wanting to go there. And since becoming a student, I have come to love the various parks and landscaping features throughout campus. Another nice feature of MSU is the unlimited meal plan served at all the great dining halls. I have often went out for a midnight snack during study sessions. Overall I am satisfied with my choice of school and would make the same choice over if I could.” – Barrett W., student at Michigan State University

Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
(906) 487-1885
www.admissions.mtu.edu

Monroe County Community College
1555 South Raisinville Road
Monroe, MI 48161-9746
(734) 242-7300
www.monroeccc.edu/admissions/admsindx.htm

Mott Community College
1401 E Court St
Flint, MI 48503
(810) 762-0200
www.mcc.edu/4_admissions/ad_index.shtml

Muskegon Community College
221 S Quarterline Rd
Muskegon, MI 49442-1432
(231) 773-9131
www.muskegoncc.edu/pages/1928.asp

Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 227-1000
webb.nmu.edu/Admissions/

Student Review: “Northern Michigan University is a decent mid-sized college, which has numerous options available for study. The town has many aspects which are enjoyable, such as a brewery, a bagel shop, a sushi restaurant. The Dome is a great place to run or walk in the winter, and they play football games in there which is a great event. There is a hockey rink next door at the Berry Events Center which is fun to go to and watch the team play. It isn’t challenging to join NMU in comparison to other universities. The classes for the most part aren’t too challenging.” -Ross U., student at Northern Michigan University

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI 48309-4401
(248) 370-2100

Olivet College
320 South Main Street
Olivet, MI 49076
(269) 749-7000
www.olivetcollege.edu/new_students/admissions.php

Port Huron Cosmetology College
5620 Dixie Hwy
Waterford, MI 48329
(248) 623-9494

Rochester College
800 W Avon Rd
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
(248) 218-2000
www.rc.edu/admissions/

Saginaw Valley State University
7400 Bay Rd
University Center, MI 48710
(989) 964-4000

Student Review: “I chose to go to SVSU for many reasons. Some of these reasons were the small class sizes, which helped me to get individualized attention in areas that I was struggling or just had a question in. Previously before SVSU, I had gone to a bigger university that had class sizes of over 100 in a big auditorium. This made it hard to even ask questions, let alone get one on one attention. Another positive was the cost of attendance. Saginaw Valley State University has one of the lowest credit hour costs in the state of Michigan. This helps students to get the most bang for their buck. Also, there are many clubs, organizations and sports to participate in. It is not hard to get involved with people and make friends due to the wide variety of people on campus. Overall, this is a great college with low prices and the feel of a small private university. SVSU has great teachers who really care if you succeed. Give this school a try, you will not be disappointed in the return you get.” -Megan L., student at Saginaw Valley State University

Siena Heights University
1247 Siena Heights Dr
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-0731
www.sienaheights.edu

Southwestern Michigan College
58900 Cherry Grove Rd
Dowagiac, MI 49047-9793
(269) 782-1000
www.swmich.edu/admissions/

Spring Arbor University
106 E. Main St
Spring Arbor, MI 49283-9799
(517) 750-1200
www.arbor.edu/undergraduate/admissions/index.aspx

St Clair County Community College
323 Erie Street
Port Huron, MI 48061-5015
(810) 984-3881
www.sc4.edu/admissions

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221-3038
(313) 993-1000
www.udmercy.edu/apply/

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-1817
www.admissions.umich.edu

University of Michigan-Dearborn
4901 Evergreen Rd
Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
(313) 593-5000

University of Michigan-Flint
303 E Kearsley
Flint, MI 48502-1950
(810) 762-3000

Wayne State University
656 West Kirby Street
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2424
www.admissions.wayne.edu/

Student Review: “I really enjoyed my time at Wayne State University. It’s a smaller school, but it has the prestige and resources (research-wise) of a larger university. I commuted to school, so I was able to save money by not living on campus. However, I decided to live on campus for my final year. Although it is in Detroit, I felt very safe while in class and while living there. Detroit gets a bad reputation, but Midtown is actually quite nice. Wayne State also has their own police force. Most of my professors were excellent, and my graduate teaching assistants were great as well. I received mentorship from a professor who gave me a research opportunity and helped guide me towards my graduate program that I’m starting in the Fall. Wayne State is a lot like many colleges; it may be small, but the resources are there to have a full college experience. My only complaint would really be that parking is expensive and sometimes a bit far from where classes are unless you get there early; however, that’s urban living for you.” -Brett A., student at Wayne State University

West Shore Community College
3000 N Stiles Rd
Scottville, MI 49454-0277
(231) 845-6211
www.westshore.edu/home.php/students/admissions

Western Michigan University
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5167
(269) 387-3530
www.wmich.edu/admissions/

Page edited by Charles Sipe.