Requirements for Teacher Certification

A baccalaureate degree from a recognized educational institution with a cumulative grade–point average of at least 2.5.
Passed all portions of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC), Professional Readiness Examination (PRE), or demonstrated proficiency using approved alternative pass measures and completed the State of Michigan Department of Education’s technology requirement.
Completed the following undergraduate requirements for teacher certification:
Undergraduate Requirements for Elementary Teacher Certification:
The professional education courses listed in the “Undergraduate Professional Education and Planned Program Course Requirements for Elementary Teacher Certification” section below.
The Planned Program for Elementary Education listed in the “Undergraduate Professional Education and Planned Program Course Requirements for Elementary Teacher Certification” section below.
The following requirements for subject matter teaching preparation:
A given course may not be counted toward the credit requirements for both the required elementary teaching major and the Planned Program for Elementary Education.
One of the four approved teaching majors for elementary teacher certification (language arts, social studies, mathematics, and integrated science), with a grade-point average of at least 2.5. The teaching majors are described below in the section “MSU Subject Matter Teaching Majors for Teacher Preparation and Certification” and their requirements are listed in the section ”Requirements for the Teaching Majors.”
An optional disciplinary major for elementary teacher certification, in addition to the required teaching major with a grade-point average of at least 2.5. The approved disciplinary majors for elementary teacher certification are listed below in the section on “Options for Acceptable Subject Matter Teaching Majors and Minors for Elementary Teacher Certification.” Courses for an optional disciplinary major or a Second Teaching Major may be double-counted with the required teaching major and the Planned Program for Elementary Education.
Optional disciplinary teaching minors for teacher certification, in addition to the required teaching major, with a grade-point average of at least 2.5. The approved disciplinary teaching minors for elementary teacher certification and their requirements are listed below in the section on “Options for Acceptable Subject Matter Teaching Majors and Minors for Elementary Teacher Certification.” Courses for an optional teaching minor may be double-counted with the required teaching major and the Planned Program for Elementary Education.
Undergraduate Requirements for Secondary Teacher Certification:
The Professional Education Courses listed below in the section on the “Undergraduate Professional Education Course Requirements for Secondary Teacher Certification.”
An approved disciplinary major for secondary teacher certification, with a grade-point average of at least 2.5. The approved disciplinary majors for secondary teacher certification are listed below in the section on "Options for Acceptable Subject Matter Teaching Majors and Minors for Secondary Teacher Certification."
An approved disciplinary teaching minor for secondary teacher certification, with a grade-point average of at least 2.5. The approved disciplinary teaching minors for secondary teacher certification and their requirements are listed below in the section on “Options for Acceptable Subject Matter Teaching Majors and Minors for Secondary Teacher Certification.
Earned a grade point average of 2.5 or above for pre-internship professional education courses required for teacher certification with no individual grade below 2.0.
Completed any disciplinary courses and pedagogy courses that are required in addition to the courses that are required for the disciplinary major and the courses that are referenced in item 3.a.(1) or 3.b.(1) above.
Any additional disciplinary courses and any additional pedagogy courses that are required for teacher certification are referenced in the sections on teacher certification options in the catalog sections for the colleges, departments, and schools that administer the disciplinary majors that are available for teacher certification.
Passed the required State of Michigan certification tests for elementary teaching or the appropriate major subject area test for secondary teaching.
Submitted a complete conviction disclosure form; and
Met professional criteria as specified by the College of Education.
All courses are required unless otherwise stated. Some of the courses below are also required for or applicable to the Elementary Teaching Majors but the Planned Program must total at least 20 credits that are not double-counted with the required teaching major.
GPA Standards: All elementary teacher candidates must pass each Elementary Planned Program and Professional Education course with a minimum grade of 2.0.
Professional Education Courses (21 credits):
All of the following courses (21 credits):
Reflections on Learning
Human Diversity, Power, and Opportunity in Social Institutions
Literacy, Learners, and Learning in Context – Elementary (W)
Teaching of Science to Diverse Learners – Elementary
Teaching of Social Studies to Diverse Learners – Elementary
Teaching of Language and Literacy to Diverse Learners - Elementary
Teaching of Mathematics to Diverse Learners - Elementary
Students with a major in Special Education are required to complete Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education 240 in lieu of Teacher Education 250.
Students with a major in child development are required to complete Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education 240 in lieu of Teacher Education 250.
Planned Program for Elementary Education (minimum of 20 credits):
Both of the following mathematics courses (6 credits):
Elementary Mathematics for Teachers I
Elementary Mathematics for Teachers II
The completion of Mathematics 201 may also satisfy the university mathematics requirement. These courses are required for the Elementary Mathematics Teaching Major in which case 0 credits count toward the Planned Program. Mathematics 201 and 202 is a prerequisite for Teacher Education 406 and must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 prior to enrollment in Teacher Education 406.
The following course in children's literature (3 credits):
Reading and Responding to Children's Literature
This course is required for the Language Arts Teaching Major in which case 0 credits count toward the Planned Program. Teacher Education 348 is a prerequisite for Teacher Education 405 and must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 prior to enrollment in Teacher Education 405.
One of the following language acquisition and development courses (3 or 4 credits):
Language and Literacy Development and Disorders
Oral Language Development
Introduction to English Language Studies
Introduction to Language
Introduction to Linguistics
Language Arts Elementary Teaching Majors may count one of the above courses toward the major, in which case 0 credits count toward the Planned Program.
Special education majors must take Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education 345, which is also required for the learning disabilities area of emphasis. This course will count toward the major requirements.
The following science in elementary schools course (3 credits):
Science for Elementary Schools
This course is waived for the Integrated Science Teaching Major. Integrated Science Education 301 is a prerequisite for Teacher Education 403 and must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 prior to enrollment in Teacher Education 403.
The following U.S. history course (4 credits):
This course is required for the Social Studies Teaching Major, in which case 0 credits count toward the Planned Program.
The following geography course (3 credits):
World Regional Geography
This course is required for the Social Studies Teaching Major, in which case 0 credits count toward the Planned Program.
One of the following arts courses (4 credits):
Music and Culture (I)
Art, the Visual, and Culture (D)
Creative Arts and Humanities: Music and Society in the Modern World (D)
Creative Arts and Humanities: Cultural and Artistic Traditions of Europe (I)
Creative Arts and Humanities: Theater and Society in the West (I)
Creative Arts and Humanities: The Creative Process (D)
Creative Arts and Humanities: Traditions in World Art I (I)
Students may use Integrative Arts and Humanities 208 or 209 to satisfy the IAH “A” component and Integrative Arts and Humanities 241A, 241C, 241D, 241E or 241F to satisfy the IAH “B” component of the University’s Integrative Studies requirement in Arts and Humanities. (4 credits may count toward both the Planned Program and the University’s Integrative Studies requirement in Arts and Humanities).
One of the following creative arts courses (3 credits):
Methods and Materials of Elementary Music
Introduction to Arts in the Classroom
Learning through Drama
Learning through Movement
Language Arts Teaching Majors may apply one of these courses to the Language Arts requirements, in which case 0 credits count toward the Planned Program.
The following health and physical education course (3 credits):
Physical Activity and Health Education for Elementary Teachers
The following Professional Education Courses (20 or 21 credits):
All of the following courses (20 credits):
Reflections on Learning
Human Diversity, Power, and Opportunity in Social Institutions
Learners and Learning in Context - Secondary (W)
Teaching of Subject Matter to Diverse Learners - Secondary (W)
Crafting Teaching Practices - Secondary (W)
The following course if the teaching major and minor are in different subject matter:
Crafting Teaching Practices in the Secondary Teaching Minor
The pedagogy courses that are required for students with a disciplinary major in music education are specified in the section on TEACHER CERTIFICATION OPTIONS in the College of Music section of this catalog. Students with a disciplinary major in music education must complete Teacher Education 150, Teacher Education 250, Teacher Education 302 and Music 277 to be considered for admission to the Music Education student teaching experience. Teacher Education 409 is required if the student pursues a minor. It is not required of the major.
Students with a disciplinary major in art education must complete Studio Art 481 and 482 in lieu of Teacher Education 407 and 408.
All of the following Professional Education Courses (24 credits):
Internship in Teaching Diverse Learners I
Internship in Teaching Diverse Learners II
Professional Roles and Teaching Practice I
Reflection and Inquiry in Teaching Practice I
Professional Roles and Teaching Practice II
Reflection and Inquiry in Teaching Practice II
Meet all professional standards for the internship year as specified by the College of Education.