This program enables teachers who hold a Michigan Provisional Teaching Certificate the opportunity to pursue an individualized planned program for the completion of the 18 semester hour continuing education credits that are required by the State of Michigan. Candidates are able to pursue this program after the issuance of the Provisional Certificate, which enables them to embark upon a course of study planned in consultation with an approved teacher preparation institution to earn the Michigan Professional Certificate.
A teacher who begins to take coursework in an 18-Hour Professional Development program and then decides to pursue a master’s degree program, or an additional subject or grade level endorsement, should consult with his/her advisor to see if any of the coursework may apply.
Upon the completion of the planned program and submission of an application, Western Michigan University will make a recommendation to the Michigan Department of Education for you to receive your Professional Certificate.
Program Benefits:
This “self-guided” program allows flexibility to meet your professional development needs while at the same time meeting the state requirements for 18 hours of professional development to earn the Professional Certificate.
This program enables a teacher to complete the requirements for the Michigan Professional Education Teaching certificate without pursuing a master’s degree or a new endorsement. Additionally, specific professional development goals or areas of interest may be explored. If later the teacher decides to pursue a master’s program, some of the coursework may apply towards credit hours in the degree program.
How is this program offered?
The candidate initiates the selection of coursework and requests approval from the Teacher Certification Office. Courses selected should add to the candidate’s knowledge of subject matter fields, teaching competency and/or professional growth. Additionally:
1) Coursework must be taken through a four-year teacher preparation program. A maximum of six semester hours of course work may be used from another approved four-year teacher preparation institution.
2) Coursework must be taken after the Provisional Teaching Certificate is issued.
3) A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all course work taken towards the 18-hour program.
4) Coursework completed through distance learning programs which employ telecommunications, interactive learning, and/or group discussion is acceptable; however, credit earned through correspondence is not acceptable for this program.
What is the Michigan Professional Certificate? open close
There are two types of Michigan teacher certificates: the Provisional Teacher Certificate and the Professional Teacher Certificate. The Provisional Certificate is issued to candidates who have completed an approved teacher preparation program. The Michigan Provisional Teaching Certificate is valid for five to six years. By the end of that period, each certificate holder who wishes to keep his/her Michigan certificate valid must qualify either for a renewal of their Michigan Provisional Teaching Certificate or a Michigan Professional Teaching Certificate.
Provisional Certificate holders seeking professional certification must meet the following qualifications:
1) Completion of 18 semester hours after the issuance of the Provisional Certificate in a course of study established and/or approved as a “planned program” by an approved teacher education institution. All course work must be completed at a four-year teacher preparation institution, where a grade of “C” or above must be earned in any class used toward professional certification. (A person with an approved master’s or higher degree, regardless of when earned, is not required to complete the 18 semester hour program.)
2) Successful classroom instructional experience for the equivalent of three years following the issuance, and within the grade-level and subject area validity, of the Provisional Certificate.
3) Completion of the State requirement of a method
course(s) in the teaching of reading. (Six semester hours for elementary teachers; three semester hours for secondary teachers.) This reading credit may have been completed as a part of the bachelor’s degree program, or as a part of the planned program.
4) Effective July 1, 2007: Completion of the State requirement of an additional three credit hour course of study with appropriate field experiences in the diagnosis and remediation of reading disabilities and differentiated instruction, within the first six years of your employment in classroom teaching.
Admission requirements and procedures: open close
To apply for the program, complete a Non-Degree Application through the Office of Admissions and Orientation, and select the Certified Teacher option. After selecting the courses that you wish to take, contact the Office of Teacher Certification Office at (269) 387-3473 for approval before registering. If approved, the course will be put on an 18-Hour Professional Development Program and the program will be mailed to you. Each time a course is approved the Professional Development Program will be updated and mailed to you. Courses selected should add to the teacher’s knowledge of subject matter fields, teaching competency and total professional growth.
You may also make an appointment to meet with the Teacher Certification Officer at one of the regional campus sites.
Once you have met the requirements for a renewal of your Provisional certificate or for the Professional certificate, you will need to complete a RENEWAL or PROFESSIONAL application, which can be found at: http://www.wmich.edu/coe/tc/. Additional information about teacher certification is available from the Certification Office, College of Education, 2104 Sangren Hall, (269) 387-3473.
