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Teacher Certification
Eligibility Information

Upon successful completion of Cornerstone University’s Teacher Education Division course work, Cornerstone students are eligible for the Michigan Teaching Certificate. The state of Michigan requires the passing of competency tests in the subject areas in which you are planning to seek certification.

State of Michigan Teacher Certification Requirements

Additional requirements for teacher certification are as follows:

  • Graduation date with required grade-point averages.
  • Completion of internship portfolio.
  • Certification recommendation from cooperating teacher and supervisor.
  • CPR and first aid current certification on file.
  • State survey completed and documented.
  • Certification application completed online.
  • Certification file is complete.
  • Appropriate Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) tests passed.

Teacher Certification Resources

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Teacher Certification and Renewal

Traditional Undergraduate Eligibility Information

Traditional undergraduate applicants must have:

  • Completed all Cornerstone graduation requirements.
  • Received a “C –” or better in all education courses (EDU classes) including Developmental Psychology and all teacher education-related methods courses.
  • Appropriate grade-point averages.

Admitted to the Program Prior to the 2009-10 Academic Year

Traditional undergraduate applicants admitted to the Teacher Education Division prior to the 2009-10 academic year must have the following:

  • GPA of 2.5 or higher overall (cumulative).
  • GPA of 2.5 or higher in a major.
  • GPA of 2.0 or higher in minor(s).

Admitted to the Program During or After the 2009-10 Academic Year

Traditional undergraduate applicants admitted to the Teacher Education Division during or following the 2009-10 academic year must have the following:

  • GPA of 2.7 or higher overall (cumulative).
  • GPA of 2.7 or higher in a major.
  • GPA of 2.3 or higher in minor(s).
  • Pass the appropriate Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) subject area tests.
  • Current CPR and first aid card at the time of certification.

State-by-State Certification Teacher Certification Information

Standard Certification Renewal

First Renewal

The first renewal of your certification is valid for up to three years and requires completion of one of the following:

  • Six semester hours in a planned course of study since the issue date of the initial Provisional Certificate at an approved EPI within the three years preceding application.
  • 150 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level and content endorsement(s) of the certificate held since the issue date of the initial Provisional Certificate within the three years preceding application.
  • Combination of semester credit hours and SCECHs (25 SCECHs equate to one semester credit hour) since the issue date of the initial Provisional Certificate within the three years preceding application.

Second Renewal

The second renewal of your certification is valid for up to three years and requires completion of one of the following:

  • Six semester hours in a planned course of study since the issue date of the first Provisional Certificate renewal at an approved EPI within the three years preceding application.
  • 150 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level and content endorsement(s) of the certificate held since the issue date of the first Provisional Certificate renewal within the three years preceding application.
  • Combination of semester credit hours and SCECHs (e.g., 25 SCECHs equate to one semester credit hour) since the issue date of the first Provisional Certificate renewal within the three years preceding application.

Professional Education Certificate Renewal

The Professional Education Certificate is an initial advanced teaching license and is valid for up to five years. To receive consideration, you must meet these requirements:

  • Three years of successful teaching experience since the issue date, and within the validity and grade level, of the Provisional Certificate.
  • The appropriate reading credit as described in the additional requirements.

Within the five year period preceding the date of application and since the issue date of the most recent Provisional Certificate, you must have one or a combination of the following:

  • Six semester hours in a planned program at an approved EPI or six semester credit hours of academic credit appropriate to the grade level and content endorsement(s) of the certificate at an approved college or university.
  • 150 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level and content endorsement(s) of the certificate held.
  • 150 District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) hours in accordance with Michigan School Code Sections 380.1527.
  • Completion of an approved master’s degree or higher at any time.

Additional Requirements

  • An in-state applicant who has completed his or her program through a Michigan university.
  • Must also meet the basic reading requirements—six semester hours of teaching of reading or reading methods for elementary or three semester hours for secondary. These courses were part of the traditional undergraduate program.
  • All teachers advancing to the Professional Education Certificate must have completed three semester credits of reading diagnostics and remediation, which includes a field experience, in accordance with Michigan Revised School Code MCL 380.1531(4). The Michigan Department of Education provides a list of approved Michigan courses that meet this requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of teacher certification pathways for Michigan?

The Michigan Department of Education offers helpful information on the types of teacher certificates issued by the state.

Do I have to obtain CPR and first aid training or just CPR?

You must have valid proof of both CPR and first aid training.

I am renewing my certificate and want to add a new endorsement. What do I need to do?

First, make sure you have met the course work requirements needed for the specific endorsement you wish to add. You also must pass the MTTC test for the endorsement area. If you have both, then the endorsement can be added to your certificate.

My current certificate has expired and I now want to renew. Are there any additional steps outside the nor of the renewal process?

Even though your certificate has expired, there are no additional steps needed. Just follow the Michigan Department of Education protocol for certification renewal.

I have a non-education bachelor's degree and now want to become a certified teacher. What are my next steps in the process?

To become a certified teacher, review our post-bachelor certification information and checklists.

Learn More

What are the testing requirements that I must pass to be certified to teach in the state of Michigan?

To be certified to teach in the state of Michigan, review important details regarding MTTC tests and information regarding the SAT as Michigan’s basic skills examination for teacher candidates.

I want to be certified outside the state of Michigan and I am not sure where to begin.

As a Cornerstone student, we recommend that you get certified in the state of Michigan first and then pursue the state you desire to also become certified in. Typically it is much easier to transfer the status once you are certified here in Michigan since our program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education.

Get Certified

Contact Us

Judy Sulka- Certification Officer

certification@cornerstone.edu

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