Individuals seeking teacher certification must be formally admitted to the College of Education through the application process.  A limited number of places are available in each year’s cohorts for Elementary, Secondary, Special Education.¹ and Child Development certification candidates.  The College of Education considers applications for admission to the Post Bachelor (Post BA) Teacher Certification Program two times a year:  September (for the following spring semester admission) and April (for the following fall semester admission). 

Unprecedented student demand for our program combined with our society’s pressure for quality teacher education has resulted in the implementation of enrollment limitations.  Consequently, the current admissions process is more competitive than in the past and includes consideration of grade point average, a written composition, credits completed and grades earned in the teaching major and minors, and space availability within the teaching major.  Applicants will be rank ordered within elementary education (including special education), and child development, or within each secondary area by weighting overall grade point average and essay score.   

To be considered for admission candidates must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.75, as well as a 2.5 in the teaching major and/or minor(s).  Additionally, candidates must have taken and passed all three components of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Basic Skills test (reading, writing and math) prior to being admitted to the certification program.  Testing information and registration materials can be obtained in 134 Erickson or contact the testing company, National Evaluation Systems, at 1-800-823-9225.

The admission process is an “on-line” application, via a website, including registering for a time and location to do a monitored essay.  The essay component will be completed using a computer and applicants will have one opportunity to respond to the questions on line. In addition, a hard copy of application with attached copies of transcripts from all schools attended, must be turned into 134 Erickson. A $50 non-refundable application fee must be submitted with hard copy materials. Checks or money orders should be made out to Michigan State University. (Click here for a printable, hard copy of the Post B.A. application). Any person with disabilities requiring special services should call the College of education at (517) 353-9680.

¹Special Education considers additional criteria including direct experience with special needs children.  For more information consult the Special Education handbook or advisor.