Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Some of our most frequently asked questions and answers are posted below. If you have a question that is not answered here, you can contact us directly.

• What if I choose to teach in the United States, does it still make sense to do this program?


• Will I be eligible for certification to teach in Michigan when I graduate from the Global Educators Cohort Program?
• What major do I declare when I apply to Michigan State University?
• I'm not totally sure how I want to pursue my career and I am worried that if I join the cohort program, I won’t be able to change my mind and I’ll have to stick with it.
• Will I have a chance to study or teach in another country?
• What would my schedule look like next year if I were accepted into the program?
• Would student teaching work as normal?

What if I choose to teach in the United States, does it still make sense to do this program?

While some GECP students have plans to begin a teaching career abroad, many do not have plans to teach outside of the United States. GECP students are eager to learn how to prepare their future students for success as global citizens of the 21st Century. Many GECP students are also interested in extra preparation for how to give the best education possible to all students, including students in their classroom who are from other countries or cultural backgrounds or who do not speak English as their first language.

In fact, one of the primary goals of GECP is to prepare future educators to bring the world to their students, wherever their classrooms happen to be and whatever subject they happen to teach. GECP graduates will be specially prepared to show their students how the world around them affects and is affected by what they do and learn.

Will I be eligible for certification to teach in Michigan when I graduate from the Global Educators Cohort Program?

Yes! The Global Educators Cohort Program is a specialized program within the teacher preparation program at Michigan State University. That means that GECP students must complete the same requirements as any Teacher Education student at Michigan State University. GECP simply provides added special emphasis in international/global themes.

When you complete GECP, you will graduate from Michigan State University with a degree in Teacher Education and you will be eligible for teacher certification both in Michigan and, often with little or no extra requirements, in many other U.S. States.

What major do I declare when I apply to Michigan State University?

If you are planning on seeking a secondary education certificate, you will declare a major in your disciplinary department. For example, if you plan to teach English, you would declare an English major, if you plan to teach Spanish, you would declare Spanish as your major.

For those interested in a certification in special education or elementary education, you will declare a special education or one of the approved elementary education majors in the College of Education. For detailed information on approved majors, see the Department of Teacher Education website.

I'm not totally sure how I want to pursue my career and I am worried that if I join the cohort program, I won’t be able to change my mind and I’ll have to stick with it.

When you are accepted into GECP you agree to join the program for your first year. You are not required to stay in the program for your whole undergraduate career. You can try the program your first year and then decide later if it is for you or not.

Will I have a chance to study or teach in another country?

Absolutely! One of the most interesting and exciting components of GECP is the wide range of opportunities students have for travel and teaching abroad. Additionally, GECP students engage in specialized field placements identified to provide a culturally rich learning experience. All GECP students are required to have at least one Global Experience, which can include participation in an MSU Study Abroad program, other approved international experiences, or approved domestic programs that provide experience working and/or learning in a new cultural environment. Details of this requirement can be found in the GECP program guide. Additionally, GECP has its own academic advisor who will work with you personally to develop a unique educational plan that can accommodate your goals such as studying or teaching abroad or language study.

What would my schedule look like next year if I were accepted into the program?

The GECP program has special features each year of your undergraduate program. In some instances, GECP participants enroll in special sections of courses that are already required in the teacher preparation program. Other semesters, GECP students may be required to enroll for an extra 1-2 credit seminar or course. GECP students will also participate in special extra-curricular programming and are strongly encouraged to study a foreign language. See the program overview section of this site for more information.

Would student teaching work as normal?

Yes. Because GECP is part of the regular teacher preparation program, GECP students will complete a 5th year internship in order to become eligible for Michigan certification. We expect GECP students, however, to have the opportunity to participate in special placements, depending on their professional interests and goals.