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Becoming a Michigan Teacher

Becoming a Michigan Teacher

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  • All individuals seeking a teaching certificate in Michigan meet the following requirements: 

    • Successful completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program (e.g., math education, elementary education, English education). 
    • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree. 
    • Complete the required reading courses.
    • Complete clinical experiences, including student teaching. 
    • Pass the appropriate Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) content examinations. Passage of content examinations is required before recommendation for certification.  In alternative route programs, testing is required prior to entrance into the program.
  • Educators who have completed a preparation program or received teacher certification in another state or federally recognized Indian tribe may find information about certificate reciprocity on the Out-of-State Applicants webpage.
  • If you completed a teacher preparation program that includes student teaching outside of the United States (U.S.), you may find more information about gaining a Michigan teaching certificate on the Out-of-Country Applicants webpage.
  • Review the preparation pathways below to identify which route is best for you, then reach out to an approved preparation provider for more information.  A list of approved programs and Michigan Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) can be found in the Directory of Educator Preparation Providers and Programs.

Preparation Pathways

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Traditional Route (Undergraduate)

This pathway begins with earning a bachelor’s degree and is offered through an approved educator preparation program at a four-year Michigan college or university. You must meet the minimum requirements of that institution to be admitted into the program. You should select your major based on the subject areas and grade levels that you want to teach. If you have not taken any coursework, it takes about 4-6 years to complete the bachelor’s degree and teaching program.
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Traditional Route (Post-Bachelor's)

This pathway is offered through an approved educator preparation program at a four-year Michigan college or university. Some institutions offer certification only options or a master’s degree plus teaching certificate. Some institutions offer online or weekend coursework. You will need to check with the institution to ensure they offer these options. It takes about 1-3 years to complete a traditional route post-bachelor’s program if you have a background in the subject area in which you are seeking certification.

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Expedited Traditional Route

This pathway allows you to complete a preparation program in an expedited manner by leveraging skills you already have. It is designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree. Many expedited programs are residencies, allowing you to be employed as a full-time teacher while concurrently working toward certification. These programs are operated by Michigan colleges and universities and are often partnerships with certain districts. It takes about 1-2 years to complete an expedited program if you have a background in the subject area in which you are seeking certification. 
Approved expedited preparation providers
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Alternative Route

This pathway allows you to be employed as a full-time teacher with an Interim Teaching Certificate. In order to be issued an Interim Teaching Certificate, you must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in the content area in which you will be certified. You must also be employed by a district. You can work with an alternative route provider to find employment. It takes about 3-5 years to complete an alternative route program. Under law, career and technical education programs are not available through this pathway.

Approved alternative route preparation programs
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Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Career and Technical Education pathways are for qualified individuals from business and industry to instruct in a state-approved CTE program. CTE programs provide secondary students opportunities to acquire skills that prepare them for career entry or continuing education after high school.  CTE preparation programs and providers are unique. Therefore, it is best to reach out directly to the provider for additional information. Search for a program in the MDE’s public directory of approved preparation programs and select “CTE” from the “Type:” drop-down menu. Employers have immediate placement options for employing career changers in CTE placements by utilizing Annual Career Authorizations while a program is being completed.

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Preparation Programs Outside of Michigan

To be employed by a Michigan school, you must hold a Michigan teaching certificate. The Michigan Department of Education DOES NOT have the authority to pre-approve out-of-state teacher preparation programs for Michigan certification. If you choose to complete a teacher preparation program outside of Michigan, please note the following: 

  • The teacher preparation program must lead to licensure/certification in the state where the teacher preparation program is located. For example: A candidate who completes a teacher preparation program through an online university located in Arizona must be sure the program is approved for an Arizona teaching certificate/license. Please check with an advisor for that program to ensure the program leads to licensure in the state where the institution is located. 
  • Candidates who complete an out-of-state teacher preparation program are NOT required to get their educator certification/license in that state, but they must meet all requirements of the teacher preparation program to be issued a teaching certificate/license in that state (except testing).
  • The teacher preparation program must include student teaching. 
  • Candidates may need to pass one or more Michigan certification tests for their initial Michigan certification. PLEASE NOTE: Do not register for a Michigan certification test until you are advised to do so by an application specialist after your credential evaluation is complete.  If you qualify for a Michigan teaching certificate and only need to pass the certification test, you will be issued a 1-year temporary teaching certificate.  This will allow you to serve as a fully qualified teacher in the State of Michigan for one calendar year, providing time to pass the certification test(s).
  • Once the out-of-state teacher preparation program is fully completed, the candidate will need to submit an out-of-state application via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).
Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS)

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