Application & Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program for Transfer Students

Do you already have your bachelor’s degree?

View the instructions for Post-Bachelor’s admissions here.

Who is a transfer student?

A transfer student is a student who has attended another college or university before attending MSU, with the exception of the summer immediately following high school graduation.

Direct Transfer Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program

Direct transfer admission refers to admission to the Teacher Preparation Program in the College of Education concurrent with admission to Michigan State University. Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for direct transfer admission to the College of Education may transfer to MSU and then follow the regular admission process for MSU undergraduate students. MSU undergraduates typically apply in the Fall Semester of their sophomore year, but can also apply in a subsequent Fall Semester and accelerate their program.

Applying for Direct Transfer Admission

Applying to MSU

Prospective transfer students interested in earning teacher certification must first submit an online application for undergraduate admission to the MSU Office of Admissions, and indicate on the application their intention to earn a teaching certificate. Students interested in becoming elementary or special education teachers should select Education or Special Education as their major. Students interested in becoming secondary education teachers should select the major corresponding to the subject they wish to teach (e.g., Mathematics, English, Biology, Art Education, etc.).

When a transfer applicant indicates an intention to pursue teacher certification, the MSU Office of Admissions determines if he or she is eligible for direct transfer admission to the College of Education. To qualify for direct admission a student must have: 

  • At least 42 transferable credits at the time of admission
  • An overall GPA of at least 3.1 (including all courses, all attempts, all schools)
  • No remedial math or writing courses required at the time of transfer to MSU (students must have exceeded the Intermediate College Algebra level by course credit or placement score prior to admission)

Teacher Preparation Program Application for Direct Transfer Admission

The MSU Office of Admissions determines eligibility for direct transfer admission and provides eligible students with a link to the online Teacher Preparation Program Transfer Admission application. Students should apply as early as possible (i.e., once 30 or more credits have been earned and current enrollment is expected to yield 42 or more credits). Students selected for direct transfer admission must meet the following requirements at the time of their matriculation at MSU to retain their admission status in the Teacher Prepration Program: 

  • Transfer of at least 42 credits 
  • Completion of all remedial/developmental coursework (e.g. Intermediate Algebra)
  • Overall GPA of at least 3.1 (including all courses, all attempts, all schools) 
  • Final transcripts sent to the MSU Office of Admissions

Teacher Preparation Program Online Transfer Application

Only students who receive a link from the MSU Office of Admissions are eligible to complete the online application for Direct Transfer Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program.

  • Paper materials should be returned to 134 Erickson Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824.
  • Official transcripts must be sent to the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships, Room 250 Hannah Administration Building, East Lansing, MI 48824.
  • Applications that are incomplete cannot be considered.

Application Deadlines

Applications for direct transfer admission are reviewed on a rolling basis. To be considered, applications must be complete by the following deadlines (or the closest business day when the 15th falls on a weekend). Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Admission decisions will be communicated approximately four to six weeks prior to the start of the admission semester. Please contact the Student Affairs Office at (517) 353-9680 with questions.

  • May 15 for Fall Semester
  • November 15 for Spring Semester
  • March 15 for Summer Semester

Traditional MSU Undergraduate Application Option

Students who are not eligible for direct transfer admission may transfer to MSU and then apply to the teacher preparation program through the regular MSU undergraduate application process which occurs during the Fall Semester of each year. Undergraduates who have transferred to MSU are eligible to apply if they:

  1. Are currently enrolled at MSU
  2. Have earned at least 28 credits (or will have earned at least 28 credits by the end of the application semester)
  3. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 at the end of the application semester

FAQs for Transfer Students

For More Information

Please contact the Office Of Student Affairs
134 Erickson Hall, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 -1034
Telephone: (517) 353-9680