Students intending to qualify for a Michigan Elementary Provisional Certificate with a special education endorsement (elementary certificate valid to teach all subjects in grades K - 5, special education endorsement area in grades K - 12, and in academic disciplines, grades 6 - 8) must complete the following requirements:

1. University Graduation Requirements:

Integrative Studies (ISS, ISB & ISP, IAH) (24 semester credits)

University Writing Requirement (WRA-Tier I-Formerly called ATL) (4 credits) & Tier II within major

Math Requirement:  Math 201 & Math 202 (College of Education)

2. Education Studies:

TE 150 (3 credits) and CEP 240 (3 credits) can be taken during the freshman and sophomore years; prior to admission to the College of Education

Students must be formally admitted to the College of Education.  See Admission Process statement.

Once admitted to the certification program students take TE 301 (4 credits) during the junior year, TE 401 (5 credits) during the fall of the senior year and TE 402 (6 credits) during the spring of the senior year.

Students will be held to a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above for the pre-internship, professional education courses required for teacher certification with no individual grade below 2.0.

3. Planned Program:

See Planned Program core curriculum on College of Education website or the special education advisor for details.

4. Special Education Studies:

See Special Education Course Plans for each endorsement area.

5. Integrated Teaching Major in Language Arts (within College of Education):

Other integrated teaching majors within the College of Education, disciplinary teaching majors outside the College of Education or a two minor option may be allowed with departmental approval. For a list of other majors and minors and their course requirements, refer to the College of Education website.  Students will be held to a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for the Internship Year for each of the following: university overall cumulative GPA, teaching majors and teaching minors.   

6. Technology Requirement:

The Michigan State Department of Education requires that students demonstrate awareness, proficiency, and expertise in personal productivity and pedagogical technology in order to receive a teaching certificate.  Demonstration of specific skills must be completed prior to the internship.

7. Competency Examinations:

Student must pass tests designed by the State of Michigan for teacher certification. The Basic Skills test must be passed prior to admission to the TE program & the Elementary Education test must be passed prior to the internship year. Elementary interns who wish to be placed in 7th or 8th grade must also pass the test in their teaching major or minors prior to the internship year.

8. Criteria for Progression to the Internship:

All standards (academic, testing requirements and professional standards) must be fulfilled as specified on the website.

9. Internship Year:

All baccalaureate requirements must be fulfilled and the bachelor's degree conferred prior to beginning the internship year.  After successful completion of the Internship (5^th yr) and Planned Program of Professional Study and fulfillment of all State of Michigan requirements, certification will be recommended.  The Internship includes a full year of study and experience.  See the Special Education Course Plans for complete lists of required coursework.  (24 credits)