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Requirements For Your Initial Michigan Teacher License
Below are the requirements necessary to become a Michigan teacher.
- Bachelor’s degree in your content area
- Completion of a state-approved teacher education program
- Completion of reading education courses; the number of credit hours needed will vary by grade level
- Completion of first aid and CPR courses
- Passing the state-run tests
- Background check; necessary for employment, but not for your certificate
Exams Needed
- MTTC Basic Skills exam
- MTTC core area exam
Requirements For Your Professional Michigan Teacher License
- At least three years of teaching experience with an Initial License
- Completion of annual performance analysis
Renewal Requirements for a Michigan Teacher
- At least 150 professional learning hours; these may come from a state-approved program or through continuing college study
About Certification In Michigan
The Michigan Department of Education certifies all credentials for teachers in the state. You can apply for a position as a teacher in Michigan through the MDE. The same organization also supports the renewal process for your license.
All points for obtaining a teaching license in Michigan are consistent regardless of whether you teach on the Upper or Lower Peninsula of the state.
Basic Rules For Becoming a Michigan Teacher
You must follow all the necessary rules for becoming a teacher as dictated by the Michigan Department of Education. Furthermore, you must complete a suitable preparation program endorsed by the state.
You will require a bachelor’s degree in your field. Afterward, you must complete a state-approved teacher education program. This work includes a program focusing on how you can support the needs of students in the classroom. The program may entail a teaching internship or other activity where you work under a mentor teacher’s tutelage. The work includes understanding how to develop lesson plans and how to support students’ unique needs in the teaching environment.
Reading Courses
You must also complete the necessary reading courses. Elementary teachers must have six semester credit hours, while high school teachers need three hours.
Reading courses focus on introducing students to reading concepts and how you can instruct them on what they can do when reading. Part of the work includes managing remedial concerns surrounding students who have reading disabilities.
First Aid Course
All prospective teachers must also complete a course in first aid and CPR. The course must be endorsed by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Completion of the course will provide you the certification from one of these organizations. The Michigan Department of Education must confirm your ability to manage first aid and CPR for classroom situations.
Other Points For Becoming a Michigan Teacher
You must also finish the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification exams. A criminal background check is not required for the certification process. Still, it will be mandatory before you can attain employment with a school, so completing this part of the process will be critical to your work. You will require a LiveScan fingerprint file from a Michigan State Police office that participates in the LiveScan program.
All information on your work leading to your educational effort should be provided to the Michigan Department of Education. An application fee may be necessary for your application. You can use the Michigan Online Education Certification System service to take care of the application process.
How the MTTC Tests Work
The state of Michigan uses the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification program to review its prospective teachers and issue certificates. You must pass the MTTC Basic Skills exam at the start. The exam is a basic test comparable to the Praxis I exam found in other states.
The second test to complete is a content area test relating to what subject and grade level you will teach. There are multiple content area tests available, including sciences, social studies, language arts, various foreign languages, and bilingual education opportunities. The state also supports language education in some less common languages like Polish, Arabic (Modern Standard), Mandarin Chinese, and Hebrew.
Some of the special education tests available include ones for helping students with cognitive and physical disabilities. There is also a special education test available for supporting students on the autism spectrum.
Upgrading To Your Professional Certificate
Your initial certificate in Michigan will be a Provisional Certificate that lasts for six years. However, it could be extended by two years if a school in Michigan currently employs you. You must move to a Professional Education Certificate after the Provisional period ends.
You can obtain your Professional Certificate when you have at least three years of teaching experience in a Michigan school. You must undergo annual reviews to confirm your performance when educating students.
Your Professional Certificate will be good for five years.
Renewing Your License
You can renew your license by obtaining 150 professional learning hours in the five years you hold your license. One semester credit hour will be good for 25 hours, while one District Provided Professional Development hour is good for one professional learning hour.
You can fulfill this requirement by completing six semester credit hours of continuing education effort surrounding different concepts involving pedagogy and your content area. The studies you complete must be endorsed by the state and should come from an accredited college or university.
The District Provided Professional Development hours will focus on activities surrounding how you carry out instructional efforts. These programs may involve managing technology or other items in the classroom.
You can also complete 150 State Continuing Education Clock Hours. These programs include training sessions, workshops, meetings, conferences, and other surrounding educational efforts in your content area.
The Michigan Department of Education is responsible for running all certification and renewal efforts. You can click here to learn more about the specific details for how you can renew your license.
Resources
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Becoming_a_Michigan_Teacher_605459_7.pdf – Rules for becoming a teacher in Michigan
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/ – Michigan Department of Education website
https://mdoe.state.mi.us/proprep/ – Preparation program rules from the state
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Reading_Course_Requirements_526655_7.pdf – Michigan reading course requirements
http://www.mttc.nesinc.com/ – MTTC tests
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/ProvCertRenewal_530866_7.pdf – Renewal requirements for teachers in Michigan