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Non-Traditional Post-Bachelor's Routes to Initial Certification
The College of Education offers alternative routes to teacher certification for individuals with specific backgrounds, including those who are fluent speakers of world languages such as Arabic or Chinese and those who have backgrounds in mathematics and science and intend to teach in urban schools. There also is a selective opportunity for current MSU undergraduate students of color.These specialized post-baccalaureate programs are designed to meet particular needs in the teaching workforce and include unique admission and course requirements.
Other individuals wishing to earn initial certification after earning a bachelor’s degree may apply for the more traditional Post Bachelor’s Program at MSU.
Chinese Experimental Teacher Certification Program
The Chinese Experimental Teacher Certification Program prepares fluent speakers of Chinese Mandarin to be certified as teachers of Chinese language and culture in the United States. The two-year program, offered in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at MSU, can lead to initial teacher certification or an endorsement for candidates who are already certified as Michigan teachers.Woodrow Wilson teaching fellowships
For prospective math or science teachers in urban settings
Michigan State University recruits teacher candidates and prepares them to teach mathematics or science in Michigan’s urban schools through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowship. The alternative teacher certification program is for recent college graduates and career-changers who have academic preparation or experience in the mathematics and science fields. Fellows complete a yearlong internship in Detroit or Grand Rapids schools and must commit to teach in an urban school district for three years.
For individuals of color
MSU also may nominate and enroll students for the Woodrow Wilson Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowships for Aspiring Teachers of Color. The program supports individuals of color – who are nominated as undergraduates during their senior year – toward becoming K-12 public school teachers, particularly in high-need urban or rural schools. Contact Dr. Sonya Gunnings- Moton at gunnings@msu.edu for more information.
