University Procedures on Felony Convictions and
Teacher Certification Programs

The Michigan State Board of Education has authority under Part 10 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, of the Administrative Rules Governing the Certification of Michigan Teachers, to deny, suspend or revoke a teaching certificate (R 390.1201).

The rule(s) state:
Rule 101. (1) The state board may refuse to grant or renew, or may revoke or suspend for a fixed term, or may impose reasonable conditions on, a teaching certificate granted pursuant to these rules for the following reasons:
(a)	Fraud, material misrepresentation, or concealment in the application for a certificate.  
(b)	Failure or ineligibility of the applicant or certificate holder to meet the criteria for eligibility for the certificate.
(c)	Conviction, as an adult, of an act of immoral conduct contributing to the delinquency of a child, or of a felony involving moral turpitude.

Students are asked to provide information indicating whether they have been convicted as an adult of felonies or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude prior to (1) admission to teacher education programs, (2) student teacher placement, and (3) term of graduation and application for teacher certification.

An applicant to a teacher education program who has been convicted as an adult of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude may be denied admission to teacher education or field placements or recommendation for certification.  An applicant who has been convicted of such a felony or misdemeanor at any point in his or her academic program will be granted a hearing prior  to a final decision regarding  (1) admission to teacher education, or  (2) field placement, or (3) recommendation for certification.  Such a hearing will be initiated by the College of Education and referred to the Hearing Board of the Undergraduate Education Policy Committee for review and recommendation.

                 EXAMPLES OF CRIMES INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE                           

A.	Crimes involving a substantial misrepresentation of any material fact to the public, including bribery, fraud, aiding or abetting the filing of false claims, racketeering, or allowing an establishment to be used for illegal purposes.
B.	Crimes involving homicide, murder, manslaughter, mayhem, negligent homicide, assault, battery, and felonious assault.
C.	Crimes which involve a violent act or a threat of a violent act against a person or a crime constituting a sexual offense, which shall include any of the following: 
•	Criminal sexual conduct in any degree;
•	Commercial activity involving child abuse, neglect or exploitation, kidnapping, adoption 	schemes, and prostitution;
•	Child abuse or neglect;
•	Cruelty toward, or torture of, any person;
•	Attempts to commit any of the offenses specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) of this subdivision;
•	Robbery, armed robbery, burglary, receiving stolen property, concealing stolen property;
•	Extortion;
•	Obtaining property by false pretenses;
•	Larceny by trick;
•	Larceny by conversion;
•	Embezzlement;
•	Arson;
•	Offenses involving narcotics, alcohol or controlled substances that result in a felony conviction;
•	Offenses involving adulterating drugs, controlled substances, preparations;  poisoning;  
	unlawful, manufacturing, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver drugs.