Michigan alternative route
Michigan Alternative Route to Teacher Certification
- Run by
- College or university, School district, Private organization
- Teach while completing
- Yes
- Max years to complete
- 5
- Website
- Visit
Requirements
| Bachelor's degree | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's in the subject | No |
| Pedagogy coursework | Yes |
| Credit hours | Yes |
| Minimum GPA | Yes |
| Tests | Yes |
| Employment as a teacher | Yes |
| Clinical experience | Yes |
| Professional development | No |
| Mentoring | Yes |
| Service requirement | No |
| High-need schools | Not reported |
| Shortage areas | Not reported |
| Limited to some grades or subjects | Yes |
| Designed for shortage areas | No |
Grade or subject limits
The alternative route prepares all teaching areas except for Early Childhood, Career and Technical Education, selected special education endorsements (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder), and advanced endorsements (e.g. Reading Specialist).
Credential issued
The Interim Teaching Certificate may be issued to alternative route participants who pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) content area tests, meet legislative requirements and wish to be employed as a classroom teacher during their training.
Clinical experience
Alternative route candidates must complete a supervised clinical experience consisting of a minimum of three years of satisfactory teaching while under the Interim Teaching Certificate in order to qualify for a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate. Candidates earning special education credentials via an alternative route must also complete a minimum of eight weeks of supervised clinical experience in a special education setting.
Other requirements
An alternative route program must be designed to include minimally, the equivalent of 12 semester credit hours that includes training in all of the following subject areas:
1) Child development or child psychology,
2) Family and community relationships,
3) Diverse learners,
4) Instructional strategies, and
5) A form of field based experience in a classroom setting.
In addition, programs partner with school districts, collect outcome data about candidates and program efficacy. An alternative route program that leads to endorsement in a special education field must additionally provide the equivalent of 32 semester credit hours of training in teaching students with disabilities, addressing the requisite knowledge, understanding, skills, and dispositions for effective practice concerning all requirements of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education R 340.1781.
Web Site:
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/educator_services/prep/standards/alternative_route_provider_program_standards.pdf
https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/MI-rules/MARSE_Supplemented_with_IDEA_Regs.pdf
Linked teacher preparation providers
- Davenport University Alternative, IHE-based
- Schoolcraft College Alternative, IHE-based
- Univ. of Michigan - Ann Arbor Alternative, IHE-based
- Univ. of Michigan - Flint Alternative, IHE-based
- Wayne State University Alternative, IHE-based