Launch Your Teaching Career at SVSU - Teacher Certification

Whether you're looking for a fast-track option or a traditional pathway, SVSU offers two excellent routes to teacher certification.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to transition into teaching, our Accelerated Route to Teacher Certification allows you to become a certified teacher in just one year through online and hybrid courses, along with a paid residency in a school setting.

For those seeking the Traditional Route to Teacher Certification, SVSU provides a comprehensive program at both elementary and secondary levels. With guidance from expert faculty and a structured curriculum, you'll be well-prepared for certification.

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Accelerated Route to Teacher Certification

Fast track your teaching career with SVSU's one-year teacher certification program!

If you possess a bachelor's degree in another discipline, seize the opportunity to pursue your passion for teaching through our Accelerated Certification with Residency (ACR) program. In just three semesters, blending online and hybrid courses, you'll gain the skills and knowledge needed for professional certification, including a one-year paid residency in a school setting. Our Michigan Department of Education-approved program provides unwavering support, with a master teacher mentor, a university supervisor, and esteemed professors guiding your journey.

To qualify for the ACR program, applicants need a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and adherence to all admission requirements. Transform your career and make a lasting impact as an educator with SVSU's ACR program!

"The professors - the whole experience in the program - was incredible!" - LYNN SKINNER, Ph.D., 7TH GRADE TEACHER

Admission Steps and Deadlines

To gain admission to the program, applicants must complete the following steps:

attend a Teacher Certification Information Session (see teacher certification information session dates below);
possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution;
have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 based on the last 60 credits of coursework taken;
fulfill the requirements for admission to SVSU and the ACR program;
meet with Certification Officer for advising appointment;
satisfy content area testing requirement by the Michigan Department of Education for Teacher Certification, Michigan Test for Teacher Certification as an admission requirement;
- View Prospective Candidates for info about tests and dates
- View Preparation Materials to help prepare for your MTTC
interview with a faculty member;Secure a residency placement in either a co-teacher role or paid residency position as teacher of record;
satisfy all requirements of the ACR program and year residency to be recommended to the Michigan Department of Education upon the candidate’s application through MOECS for teacher certification.

Details about the ACCELERATED route to teacher certification

Teacher Certification Information Session Dates

Need Dates and Times.

Elementary Accelerated Certification Program

Elementary Option

3-6 Grade Band for Certification

Pre-requisites

Test?

Required Coursework (30 Credit Hours) -NEEDS REVIEW

Summer Semester Coursework Requirements: 1 credit

TE 494R Seminar 1 for Elementary ACR (1 cr)

Fall Semester Coursework Requirements: 15 credits

TE 411R Teaching Elementary Reading I (4 crs)
TE 414R Teaching Elementary Science (3 crs)
TE 416R Diverse Learning Environments (3 crs)
TE 417R Seminar 2 for Elementary ACR (1 cr)
TE 497R Elementary ACR Residency I (4 crs)

Winter Semester Coursework Requirements: 14 credits

TE 412R Teaching Elementary Reading II (2 crs)
TE 413R Teaching Elementary Mathematics (3 crs)
TE 415R Teaching Elementary Social Studies (3 crs)
TE 418R Seminar 3 for Elementary ACR (1 cr)
TE 498R Elementary ACR Residency II (5 crs)

Residency Requirement -NEEDS REVIEW

ACR candidates should find a residency in a school that has open teaching positions or in a classroom with a teacher mentor, similar to a student teaching experience. Certification in elementary education is based upon a successful teaching experience in the subject area in which the candidate is seeking to become certified in. When finding a residency, ACR candidates must make sure they will be teaching all four core subject areas in a classroom K-5.

SVSU's Career Services is ready to assist ACR candidates with preparing a professional resume and cover letter, and give great tips on how to prepare for an interview. Once accepted to the program, candidates can get access to the Cardinal Career Network which has information on open teaching positions. Employment Fairs sponsored by their office is also a great resource in locating prospective teaching positions. Candidates can either schedule an appointment to meet with a Career Services representative or utilize their online tutorials. http://www.svsu.edu/careerservices/

Secondary/PK-12 Options

English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
PK-12 Health and Physical Education
World Languages (French /Spanish)
Visual Arts

Pre-requisites

Test?

Required Coursework (30 Credit Hours) -NEEDS REVIEW

TE 582 - Lang Acquisition-Disorders-Interven B-8 3 cr
TE 590 - Develop Approp Practice & Assessment 3 cr
TE 592 - Curriculum for Birth-Kindergarten 3 cr
TE 593 - Math/Science Experiences for B-K 3 cr
TE 595 - Infants & Toddlers 3 cr
TE 596 - Literacy Development for Young Children 3 cr
TE 597 - Young Child in Home/School/Community 3 cr
TE 693 - Methods in Early Childhood Special ED 3 cr
TE 695 - Family Service Models for Early Intervn 3 cr
TE 698 - Practicum for Birth-Kindergarten 3 cr

Residency Requirement -NEEDS REVIEW

Cost Estimate for ACR Program

The estimated cost for the program runs between $14,000 and $17,000. Information on tuition and fees, types of financial aid available, and applying for financial aid can be found online at http://www.svsu.edu/cfsc/ and at the Michigan Student Aid website. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is located on our website at http://www.svsu.edu/cfsc/applyingforfinancialaid/. If you have any questions, please contact the SVSU Campus Financial Services Center at 989-964-4900.

If you are employed by a charter school authorized by SVSU, you are eligible for a tuition scholarship. Information can be obtained by contacting SVSU's School & University Partnership Office at drg@svsu.edu.

Teacher Certification Licensure Requirements

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, applications for certification MUST be submitted directly to the MDE using the MOECS online system. Information on applying can be found on our website at http://www.svsu.edu/collegeofeducation/officesservices/certification/

All ACR candidates will need to complete First Aid and adult & child CPR training from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Medic First Aid, or American Safety and Health Institute. Certification of training in these areas will be required and must be valid at the time you apply for your Michigan Teaching Certificate. Please refer to the Michigan Department of Education website for a complete list of approved courses offered by these CPR and first aid providers.

Elementary ACR candidates applying for their teaching certificate must take and pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in Elementary Education (Test #103). MTTC scores must be submitted to SVSU electronically; select institution code #24 when registering to take the test to ensure that SVSU receives the scores. We highly recommend that candidates take this test toward the end of the winter semester.

Candidates for French and Spanish certification must test at the advanced low level on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) prior to applying for their teaching certificate.

Questions? Contact the College of Education at coeconnect@svsu.edu.

Traditional Route to Teacher Certification

SVSU offers the traditional route to teacher certification at the elementary level (K-8) and secondary level (grades 6-12 or K-12) upon successful completion of the College of Education's Teacher Education Program.

To qualify Interested candidates must:

attend a certification seminar;
possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution;
have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 based on the last 60 credits of coursework taken;
fulfill requirements for admission to SVSU and to the Teacher Education Program including a Pre-Education Seminar Module;
satisfy all requirements of the Teacher Education Program, Michigan Test for Teacher Certification grade band and content area testing, and student teaching to be recommended to the Michigan Department of Education upon the candidate’s application through MOECS for teacher certification.

If you have general questions regarding the Teacher Education Program's prerequisites and/or the application process, please email your questions to us at coeconnect@svsu.edu. If you would like to speak with an advisor, schedule a phone or in-person appointment by calling the College of Education at 989-964-4057 option #1.

Details about the traditional route to teacher certification

Elementary Academic Program Requirements

Option 1: Dual Certification with two grade bands. B-K, PK-3, or 3-6

Option 2: Certification with Specialty Endorsement. One grade band from B-K, PK-3, or 3-6 and one endorsement program from: PK-12 Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Impairment, or Learning Disabilities), PK-12 English as Second Language, PK-12 World Languages (French or Spanish), K-8 Content Specialty Areas (ELA, Science, or Social Studies) * available to add to the 3-6 grade certification only!

Prerequisites

The following coursework (or approved equivalents) must be completed with a grade of “C” or better prior to beginning the Professional Sequence of the Teacher Education program (Option One or Option Two).

NOTE: TE 280 is only required for students completing a certification band in either Lower Elementary (PK-3) Education or Early Childhood General and Special Education (Birth to Kindergarten).

MATH 110 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 4 cr.
TE 120 - Explorations in Education I 1 cr.
TE 211 - Children’s Literature 3 cr.
TE 280 - Developmentally Appropriate Practice 4 cr.
TE 281 - Foundations in Exceptionalities 3 cr.
GEOG 301 - Environmental Issues 3 cr .

Pre-Education Electives

Students select 6-7 credits from two departments (one course must be PSYC 310, PSYC 313 or PSYC 210; PSYC 210 is approved only for students selecting Special Education in Option 2).

COMM 389 - Family Communication 3 cr
COMM 435 - Communication in the Classroom 3 cr
ENGL 370 - Language in Education 3 cr
PSYC 210 - Applications in Human Development 4 cr
PSYC 310 - Child Psychology 3 cr
PSYC 313 - Child Development in Education 4 cr
TE 200 - Explorations in Education II 2 cr

Social Studies Electives for Pre-Education

Students complete 3-4 credits beyond General Education requirements from:

ECON 125 - Introduction to Economics (GE6) 3 cr
ECON 221 - Principles of Macroeconomics (GE7) 4 cr
GEOG 202! - North Amer Regional Geography (GE6) 3 cr
HIST 241 - History of Michigan 3 cr
PS 130! - World Politics (GE8) 3 cr
SOC 111 - Introduction to Sociology (GE7) 3 cr
SOC 280! - Global Cultures (GE8) 3 cr
or approved 3-4 cr course related to Social Studies for Elementary Education

Teacher Education Program Course Outline:

See catalog for details.

Professional Sequence for Teacher Education Majors includes semester of Student Teaching (approx. 4-5 semesters at full load; 12-17 credits)

If you are pursuing a specialty endorsement those courses would be completed as well as grade band courses.

Secondary Academic Program Requirements

English Language Arts grades 5-9, 7-12, or 5-12
Mathematics grades 5-9, 7-12, or 5-12
Science grades 5-9, 7-12, or 5-12
Social Studies 5-9, 7-12, or 5-12

Pre-requisites

Completion of all but 2 courses in Major Content Coursework linked in subject area to the left.

The following coursework (or approved equivalents) must be completed with a grade of “C” or better by all candidates pursuing Middle School (5-9) or High School (7-12) certification prior to beginning the Core Secondary Courses of the Teacher Education program.

PSYC 100 - General Psychology (GE6) 4 cr
PSYC 315 - Adolescent Psychology 3 cr
TEMS 100 - Exploring Teaching 2 cr

Apply to Teacher Education Program.

Teacher Education Program Course Outline

See catalog for details.

Professional Sequence for Teacher Education Majors includes semester of Student Teaching (approx. 3 semesters at full load; 12-14 credits)

PK-12 Options Program Requirements

French
Health and Physical Education
Spanish
Visual Arts
Music

Pre-requisites

Completion of all but 2 courses in Major Content Coursework linked in subject area to the left.

PSYC 100 - General Psychology (GE6) 4 cr
PSYC 315 - Adolescent Psychology 3 cr
TEMS 100 - Exploring Teaching 2 cr

Apply to Teacher Education Program.

Teacher Education Program Course Outline

See catalog for details.

Professional Sequence for Teacher Education Majors includes semester of Student Teaching (approx. 3 semesters at full load; 12-14 credits)

Apply to SVSU

Before you can apply for admission to the Teacher Education program, you must be admitted to the University. If you have not applied and been admitted to SVSU, complete the online application for admission. When completing the section "Application Type" please select Graduate for the type of student you are, Teacher Cert, and then select either the Elementary Provisional Certificate or Secondary Provisional Certificate program.

Official transcripts from each institution attended must be submitted from each institution to the College of Education to fulfill the requirements for admission to SVSU. A student copy of your transcripts may be uploaded with the online application to begin the processing of your application. Official transcripts forwarded electronically may be directed to coeconnect@svsu.edu.

Apply to Teacher Education Program in Tk20

Students must apply and be accepted in to the Teacher Education Program prior to enrollment in 300-400 level professional studies courses. Applications are accepted online by the College of Education twice a year.

The application for admission to the Teacher Education Program for Fall Semester 2019 will open in Tk20 on Monday, January 14. The application will remain open until Friday, January 18, 2019, 5:00 p.m. Undergraduates who have not attended the mandatory Pre-Education Seminar must do so prior to submitting the application.

Accessing the Application

If you completed an application for TE 100/TE 101 in Tk20, you will use the username Tk20 assigned to you (e.g., msmith0000) and the password you created to complete the new application. When you log into Tk20, locate the Applications tab in the side menu and then click on +Create New Application. Use the drop down menu to locate the Teacher Education Program Application; Elementary & Secondary Education and select Next to begin.

If you do not recall your log in information, do not attempt to use your SVSU username and password used to log into the SVSU network (e.g., Cardinal Direct/mySVSU, SVSU email). Please email us at coeconnect@svsu.edu to request a reset of your Tk20 log in credentials. If you did not take TE 100/TE 101 at SVSU, use these instructions on Tk20 Application Instructions (640KB) . Please read all of the instructions below before completing your application.

1. Log in to Tk20 and complete the TE Program Application; Elementary & Secondary Education in its entirety.

2. Be prepared to upload the following documents into your application (MS Word or PDF are acceptable):

If you are currently enrolled in any prerequisite course(s); e.g., PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 317 at another institution at the time of application, you must submit evidence of enrollment (class schedule) in the class(es).
A summary documenting your experiences with children and/or youth. Please be sure to include your name and SVSU student ID# at the top of the document.
Provide the name, title, and telephone number of three individuals who have agreed to serve as references for you in your online application. If possible, at least one reference should be from a full-time or part-time faculty member from a two- or four-year college/university. Other acceptable references could be individuals with whom you have had interaction through educational preparation in the last year; e.g., school administrators, teachers, etc.;
Letters of recommendation are not required. However, if you would like to attach any letters with your application, you are welcome to do so.
If you answered yes to any of the criminal conviction questions, a copy of all court documents which show the crime of which you were convicted, dates, and sentence(s) imposed must be provided. (Please see additional information in Step 6).

3. Once your application is complete and all your documents are uploaded, "Submit" your application for processing.

Follow-Up After Completing Application

After you have completed the application, uploaded all required documents, and submitted your application in Tk20, contact the College of Education at areitten@svsu.edu or by phone 989-964-4646 to confirm your application is complete and ready for processing. Please do not make any changes to the application once you have confirmed completion of your application. If you have changes you would like noted, please email us at areitten@svsu.edu with the changes you need us to be aware of.

If you have not taken TE 100 or TE 101 at SVSU or completed one of these courses at SVSU prior to Spring Semester, 2015, you will be required to complete a writing sample as part of your application to the TEP. You will be contacted by an SVSU staff member after your application has been processed to schedule an appointment to come in to complete the writing sample. This process takes approximately 30 minutes in total. The writing sample must be finished before your application can be submitted to the Admission and Transitions Committee for an admission decision.

Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check is required of all candidates who submit an application and are accepted to the SVSU College of Education Teacher Education Program. This process is required by the school districts, public and private, to allow program candidates to participate in the fieldwork component of the program. Fingerprinting previously completed for employment (e.g., substitute teaching) in any K-12 school is non-transferrable to SVSU.

FINGERPRINTING PROCESS:

Fingerprinting for newly accepted candidates will take place March 12-14, 2019 on campus in Gilbertson Hall's GN 299. Detailed information on scheduling an appointment will be provided in the letter of admission.

If you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or have any outstanding criminal charges or warrants pending against you in Michigan or any other state or jurisdiction, you will be required to submit court documents indicating the crime of which you were convicted, dates and sentences imposed with your application materials. If criminal charges are pending, you will be required to submit a statement from the issuing court indicating court date and offense.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program does not guarantee certification by the State of Michigan. The SVSU College of Education cannot guarantee approval of any recommendation made to the State of Michigan for any type of certification. Final approval of a recommendation is granted only by the Michigan Department of Education, based on the policies and procedures current at the time the recommendation for certification is made.

Any candidate admitted to the Teacher Education Program, is required to notify the Chair of the Admissions and Transitions Committee, should s/he be convicted of a crime in any state or jurisdiction after the initial background check is completed. Court documents indicating the crime for which a candidate is convicted, dates, and sentences imposed, and any information on pending criminal charges must be supplied by the candidate and will be reviewed by the SVSU Admissions & Transitions Committee. Based on a review of the conviction or pending criminal charges, the candidate may be subject to dismissal from the Teacher Education Program.

CONTACT US.

College of Education
Gilbertson Hall
coeconnect@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4057
Fax: (989) 964-4385

Dean
James E. Tarr, Ph.D.
Gilbertson Hall

(989) 964-7107

Acting Assistant Dean & Professor
Colleen D'Arcy, Ph.D.
Gilbertson Hall

(989) 964-7107

Contact Us

Launch Your Teaching Career at SVSU - Teacher Certification

Accelerated Route to Teacher Certification

Fast track your teaching career with SVSU's one-year teacher certification program!

Admission Steps and Deadlines

Details about the ACCELERATED route to teacher certification

Elementary Option

Pre-requisites

Required Coursework (30 Credit Hours) -NEEDS REVIEW

Residency Requirement -NEEDS REVIEW

Pre-requisites

Required Coursework (30 Credit Hours) -NEEDS REVIEW

Residency Requirement -NEEDS REVIEW

Traditional Route to Teacher Certification

Details about the traditional route to teacher certification

Prerequisites

Pre-Education Electives

Teacher Education Program Course Outline:

Pre-requisites

Teacher Education Program Course Outline

Pre-requisites

Teacher Education Program Course Outline

Accessing the Application

FINGERPRINTING PROCESS:

CONTACT US.