Ignite a passion for life long learning and directly influence children's lives. Michigan children need access to diverse educators who seek to inspire the next generation of students.
Four Steps To
Becoming a Proud Michigan Educator
To be employed in Michigan as a teacher, you must be at least 18 years of age, have a bachelor's degree and a valid teaching certificate. All educators must complete the steps listed below as well as uphold standards of professional practice.
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS WITH
4 Steps
STEP 1
Choose a preparation program and complete all program requirements
There are several different types of preparation programs in Michigan to meet your individual needs as a future teacher. Some are full degree programs, others are shorter and leverage education and experience you may already have. Let us help you review which pathway is right for you.
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STEP 2
Complete all legal requirements
All teachers must take and pass the appropriate Michigan Test(s) for Teacher Certification. It is important that you work with your preparation program to determine which tests to take and when in your program is the best time to take them.
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STEP 3
Complete student teaching or work experience necessary for your pathway
Hands-on experience working with students while supported by a preparation program is a key part of becoming a teacher. In some cases, you can work in a school while completing this portion of your preparation.
STEP 4
Apply for teacher certification
You will need to create an account in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). The system will ask you a series of questions about your preparation and criminal history.
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Still have questions? Connect with a certification specialist.
Choosing an Endorsement
In Michigan, you earn endorsements on your certificate based on the subject area and grade levels you want to teach. All certificates must have at least one endorsement and some endorsements cannot be earned alone (for example, special education endorsements require an endorsement in a general education subject area). Teachers who have more than one endorsement tend to be more marketable and able to find a job, as they could teach multiple subject areas. Work with your educator preparation provider to determine which endorsement areas are marketable in your area.
Do you already have a Michigan teaching certificate? Michigan also offers advanced options. Visit Michigan.gov/TeacherCert to learn more about additional endorsements and advanced programs.
Early Childhood General and Special Education (Birth-Kindergarten)
Lower Elementary Education (PK-3)
Upper Elementary Education (3-6)
Elementary K-5 All Subjects (K-8 All Subjects in a Self-Contained Classroom)
At this time, you can choose to focus at the elementary (K-8) level or the secondary (6-12) level.
Elementary
Elementary K-5 All Subjects (K-8 All Subjects in a Self-Contained Classroom)
AND Choose one or more of the following:
Secondary
Choose one or more of the following:
Beginning in Fall 2023, Michigan educator preparation programs will begin offering new endorsement areas focused specifically on the middle grades. You could choose one or more of these subject areas.
For high school teaching, you can choose a broad content area (like integrated science) or a specialized content area (like biology). The broad content areas allow you to teach in all of the sub-areas of that content (a person with an integrated science endorsement can teach a course called “Science” or a course called Biology. A person with a Biology endorsement can only teach a course called biology. You should work with your educator preparation program advisor to discuss which endorsement areas are marketable together.
Beginning in Fall 2023, Michigan educator preparation programs will begin offering new endorsement areas focused specifically on high school content. You could choose one or more of these subject areas.
Michigan also offers teaching programs in other areas of specialization. You could choose one or more of these options. The areas labeled with a * must be earned along with a content area endorsement, such as Elementary K-5 All Subjects (K-8 All Subjects in a Self-Contained Classroom) or 6-12 Mathematics.
Moving to Michigan
Are you already certified in another state?
We are excited you are coming to Michigan. To be employed in a Michigan school, you must hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate or permit. We work hard to match the certificate level and endorsements on your certificate from another state. This may mean you need to complete other requirements necessary for Michigan certification. Submit an application in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) to begin an evaluation by one of our specialists. MOECS will determine which certificate is being applied for based on your answers to application question and you will receive an email with any additional requirements you need to meet.
Learn moreResources
Financial Support
We are so excited you are beginning your journey as a Future Proud Michigan Educator! There are several financial support options for completing your preparation, either as a first time teacher or for certified teachers seeking to expand the content areas in which they can teach.
Learn moreHear from Future Proud Michigan Educators
Proud Michigan Educators are helping prepare Future Proud Michigan Educators. This video features Dr. Paula Lancaster, dean of the College of Education and Human Services at CMU; Ashton Wirgau, teacher candidate at CMU; Alexia Torres, Mt. Pleasant High School teacher and Ashton's supervising teacher; Lauren Lewallen, teacher candidate at CMU; and Kaylee VanderBaan, a teacher at Mt. Pleasant Middle School and Lauren's supervising teacher.
I love teaching because I have the opportunity to let a child know someone in this world believes in them.
Chelsee Schram
2020-21 Region 6 Teacher of the Year
I love teaching because students bring out the best in me and in one another. I love teaching because I get to work with the future and see, firsthand, how they are making the world a better place. I love teaching because nothing fills my soul more than seeing someone go from thinking they can't to knowing they can.
Liz Honeysett
2020-21 Region 7 Teacher of the Year
I became a teacher because I wanted a career that would help my community and contribute something positive to society. Teaching combines that desire with a personal love of learning and my planning and communication skills. My favorite parts about the profession are working with individuals to improve a skill or learn a concept - the so-called 'light-bulb moments' - and the chance to connect with students. Few things make me happier than when I hear from a former or current student about something they enjoyed doing in my class, something they learned from me, or that I simply made them feel valued or cared for.
James Johnson
2021-22 Region 7 Teacher of the Year
I love teaching because it allows me to see the potential 'good' in our world via my students. They are full of possibility and hope, and even when life does not go as planned, they still look forward to the future, and that gives me hope for the future of our world.
Janine Scott
2020-21 Region 10 Teacher of the Year
I love teaching because I can find something positive "about" my job every single day. I love the connections I can make with students on a daily basis and know that I am having an impact on their lives now and/or in the future.
Erin Carlson
2020-21 Region 5 Teacher of the Year
Have Questions?
Visit our Michigan Department of Education Educator Services website or reach out to a certification specialist.
