State hub

How to become a teacher in Michigan

Prep providers

Completers

2,961

Newly licensed

4,606

Colleges (IPEDS)

160

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Michigan Department of Education.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete a teacher preparation program. Michigan has 36 Title II providers.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
Apply to Michigan Department of Education for an initial credential, such as Standard CTE Certificate; Standard Teaching Certificate.
Career changers can use one of 1 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

Michigan teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in Michigan

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
Adrian College	Traditional	101	42
Albion College	Traditional	73	16
Alma College	Traditional	108	23
Andrews University	Traditional	38	8
Aquinas College	Traditional	134	30
Baker College	Traditional	0	0
Calvin University	Traditional	286	67
Central Michigan University	Traditional	1,268	273
College for Creative Studies	Traditional	50	6
Concordia University	Traditional	300	42
Cornerstone University	Traditional	214	42
Davenport University	Alternative, IHE-based	203	69
Eastern Michigan University	Traditional	1,812	247
Ferris State University	Traditional	508	71
Grand Valley State University	Traditional	456	293
Hope College	Traditional	313	83
Lake Superior State University	Traditional	169	22
Madonna University	Traditional	45	11
Michigan State University	Traditional	749	228
New Paradigm for Education	Alternative, not IHE-based	19	2
Northern Michigan University	Traditional	341	79
Oakland University	Traditional	696	234
On the Rise Academy	Alternative, not IHE-based	106	0
Professional Innovators in Teaching	Alternative, not IHE-based	230	16
Rochester University	Traditional	27	9
Saginaw Valley State Univ.	Traditional	460	147
Schoolcraft College	Alternative, IHE-based	252	44
Siena Heights University	Traditional	108	15
Spring Arbor University	Traditional	158	23
T.E.A.C.H Michigan	Alternative, not IHE-based	1,562	79
Teachers of Tomorrow	Alternative, not IHE-based	4,409	206
Univ. of Michigan - Ann Arbor	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	372	102
Univ. of Michigan - Dearborn	Traditional	360	40
Univ. of Michigan - Flint	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	317	47
Wayne State University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	937	170
Western Michigan University	Traditional	599	175

About teacher preparation in Michigan

The following background information on Michigan’s teacher certification system may be helpful for understanding the information provided in the Title II report card. Michigan’s State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1763) requires that a person employed in an elementary or secondary school with instructional responsibilities hold a certificate, permit, or occupational authorization valid for the position to which they are assigned. The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Top 10 Strategic Education Plan is founded on the Guiding Principles that “all students have access to high quality instruction” and “all educators have the resources, support, and training needed to educate students.” Within MDE, the Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) is the organizational unit primarily responsible for the implementation of initiatives stemming from these two principles. As of October 1, 2025, Michigan has twenty-nine (29) approved traditional route and nine (9) alternative route providers of preparation programs for initial teacher certification. In addition, Michigan has three approved (3) consortia of multiple approved traditional route providers to prepare teachers for initial certification. Requirements pertinent to the preparation of teachers and the issuance of a teaching certificate are compiled in Michigan’s Teacher Certification Code. MDE and Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, Inc. administer the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC) testing program designed to meet the unique educational needs of the State of Michigan. The tests are developed and revised to ensure the information they provide is an accurate measure of the content knowledge for teaching and pedagogical content knowledge appropriate for a well-prepared beginning teacher as defined in State Board of Education-approved teacher preparation standards. All tests have been validated by Michigan educators throughout their development and have sufficient consistency to assure the Michigan public that licensure decisions are being made on reasonable grounds. Prior to being issued a certificate, an MTTC content area test must be passed. As of October 1, 2025, there were 63 individual MTTC content area exams available. An MDE priority is to support excellence in teacher preparation. To identify and support programs not performing satisfactorily, MDE calculates an annual educator preparation institution performance score (EPIPS). The EPIPS system utilizes MTTC pass rate data at the institutional aggregate and subject group (e.g., science, social studies, special education) level; surveys of teacher candidates, candidate supervisors, cooperating teachers, and employers; and educator effectiveness data. Additional metrics, including the diversity of the schools in which candidates are placed during their internship, will be incorporated into the score in future years.