Applying for an initial Standard Teaching Certificate, Additional Certificate Endorsement, Career Technical Education, School Administrator Certificate, Preliminary School Psychologist License, Preliminary School Psychologist License Renewal or School Psychologist License is a two-step process (please refer to instructions for the two-step process below). These certificates, endorsements and licenses require a recommendation from MSU.
As of September 1, 2013, candidates apply for renewals of the Standard Certificate, the Professional Certificate and renewals of the Professional Certificate only through Michigan Online Educator Certification System, or MOECS (see instructions for using MOECS below). These certificates do not require a recommendation from MSU.
These two steps can be completed in either order or concurrently; however, both steps must be completed before the new certificate or endorsement can be issued. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For certificates, endorsements and licenses that require a recommendation from MSU, MSU requires:
Candidates are recommended for the initial Michigan teaching certificate after they have completed all requirements for MSU’s teacher preparation program, including the post-graduate internship. The Standard Certificate is valid for a period of five years; during that time, the certificate holder is expected to gain experience as a practicing teacher and complete academic requirements for the next level of certification.
View the MSU Application for Standard Certificate.
Holders of valid standard, permanent, continuing or professional teaching certificates can add endorsements that qualify them to teach additional populations, grade levels and/or subjects by completing an approved course of study and passing the relevant Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).
View the MSU Application for an Additional Endorsement to a MI teaching certificate.
Applicants who are eligible may apply to the School Base Administrator Certificate with Elementary and Secondary Endorsements (these three credentials are bundled). To be eligible for a recommendation for the School Administrator Certificate with Elementary/Secondary Endorsements through MSU, an applicant must have completed (a) an approved master’s degree in K‐12 Administration at MSU with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and a passing score on the program exit exams, or (b) a relevant master’s degree and an approved 21‐credit core administrative studies program at MSU with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and a passing score on the program exit exams.
Applicants who are eligible may apply to the School Administrator Base Certificate with the Central Office Endorsement. To be eligible for a recommendation for the School Administrator Base Certificate through MSU, an applicant must have completed a Michigan Department of Education-approved program completed at MSU. At this time, only the Ed.D. degree program has received approval. An internship is not required for the Ed.D. program; however, graduates who seek to earn the School Administrator Base Certificate with the Central Office endorsement must complete the internship or complete the waiver process through the K-12 Educational Administration department.
View the MSU application for School Administrator certificate.