Secondary and K-12 Teacher’s Certificate Programs

Professional Education Unit  

The University-of Michigan Flint is accredited to offer secondary and K-12 teacher’s certificate programs (TCPs) in select areas.  These programs lead to a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Music Education degree, depending on the area.

The Michigan Department of Education requires that secondary education students complete either a TCP subject area major in conjunction with a TCP minor, or a comprehensive (multiple subject area) TCP major.  K-12 education TCP majors do not require a minor.  (Note:  The Michigan Department of Education does not allow a course to be counted toward the credit requirements of both a major and a minor.)

All teacher certificate programs also include state-mandated professional coursework.  At UM-Flint, this coursework is constructed in three phases, to be completed in sequence, with a minimum grade of C (2.0) required in each course.  As part of this coursework, the teacher candidate creates an Individual Major Portfolio, required for completion of the program.

For progression from phase to phase and completion of the program, minimum GPAs of B- (2.7) or higher in the major, the minor, the professional coursework, and overall, are required.  (Note:  Subject area GPA requirements are higher than 2.7 for some content areas.)

Discipline-Specific Requirements

See the content area(s) of interest for specific course and other requirements.  Programs available are:
Secondary TCP majors (non-comprehensive, require a minor):  Earth Science , English , French , History , Mathematics , Spanish , Speech Communication 
Secondary TCP comprehensive major (minor not required):  Social Studies 
K-12 TCP majors (minor not required):  Music , Visual Arts 
Secondary TCP minors:  Earth Science , English , French , History , Mathematics , Psychology , Spanish , Speech  

Professional Requirements

Note:  There are some variations in these requirements for individual subject areas.

1. Course requirements.

Phase I - Foundational.  PSY 100 , HIS 220  or HIS 221 ; SEC 200 , SEC 201  (12 cr.).

Phase II - Pre-professional.  PSY 313 , SEC 320 , SEC 445 ; a course in the history or culture of an American ethnic group from:  AFA 270 /SOC 270 , AFA 331 , AFA 334 /HIS 334 , EDE 305 , ENG 213 , ENG 374 , EDE 432 /PUB 438  (12 cr.).

Phase III - Professional.  SEC 330 ; major methods course, minor methods course (if required); SEC 469 , SEC 499  (18-21 cr.).

2. Transition requirements.

Throughout the program, for progression from phase to phase and program completion, minimum GPAs of B- (2.7) or higher in the major, the minor, pedagogical/professional coursework, and overall, are required.

Acceptance to Phase II.

1. Completion of at least 55 credits (junior standing), including at least 18 credits in the major content area and 12 in the minor content area (if a minor is required).
2. Interview with the TCP advisor, to include discussion of the Dispositions Inventory and pieces for the Individual Major Portfolio.
3. Successful completion of the MTTC Professional Readiness Examination (PRE).
4. Completion and acceptance of an application to Phase II, including a felony/misdemeanor form.

Acceptance to Phase III.

1. Completion of at least 85 credits (senior standing), including at least 90% of the major and minor requirements.
2. Interview with the TCP advisor, to include discussion of the Dispositions Inventory and pieces for the Individual Major Portfolio.
3. Completion and acceptance of an application to Phase III, including a felony/misdemeanor form

Recommendation for teacher certification.

1. Completion of at least 124 credits, including all major and minor requirements.
2. Exit interview with the TCP advisor, to include discussion of the completed Individual Major Portfolio and results of the Student Teaching Evaluation.
3. Completion of the MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) subject area test in the major and minor (where applicable), with a passing score on the major area test.
4. Completion of an advanced and valid course in first aid and adult and child CPR from an approved provider.
5. Completion of all paperwork necessary for certification, including a felony/misdemeanor form.

In exceptional circumstances, modifications in the requirements for certificate programs and for minors may be made with the approval of the student’s academic advisor and the Chair of the Education Department.

For the teaching of certain subjects, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools requires a preparation that might be in excess of the requirements for the certification minor. Its requirements, which apply to teachers in any school that is a member of the North Central Association, are revised from time to time.  It is recommended that students request a copy of the North Central Association publication, Policies and Criteria, available from the North Central Association, 950 Victors Way, Suite 50, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108-2736; (734) 998-9300.

Prospective candidates should also study the section entitled General Requirements for Teacher Certification .

Minimum Credits For the Degree. 124 credits