Rochester College is authorized by the Michigan Department of Education to recommend teacher candidates to the state for certification. Candidates for Elementary Certification may major in one or more of the following content areas: English Education, History Education, Integrated Science Education, Language Arts Education, Elementary Math Education (under review by the MDE), and Social Studies Education. Secondary candidates may receive certification in one or more of the following content areas: Biology Education, English Education, History Education, Math Education (under review by the MDE), and Music Education (under development).
Professional Certification
Since the process of becoming a teacher includes both a baccalaureate degree and professional certification, students should declare their intent as early as possible in order to plan with one of our education advisors. Rochester College Education advisors help ensure that students meet all teacher preparation requirements, and work with each student to plan appropriate progress toward the completion of the majors and minors.
Admission Requirements. All students seeking Michigan Provisional Teacher Certification must apply for and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. The following must be documented at the time of your application:
Completion of 60 hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70, with no grade below a “C“ in the major and minor. Transfer Students: For purposes of admission to the Teacher Education Program, all grades from previous institutions will be calculated in the cumulative grade point average.
Satisfactory completion of EDU 2202 Introduction to Education and EDU 2243 Educational Psychology with a minimum grade of C.
Criteria for admission to the Teacher Education Program include:
Completion of an Application for Admission to Teacher Education.
Passing of the MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) Basic Skills Tests in reading, writing, and mathematics and submission of scores to the Teacher Education Office.
Demonstration of Competency in Writing.
Submission of a completed Criminal Record Disclosure.
Submission of two evaluations to be completed by faculty in two of the following areas: education, major or minor area.
Completion of an interview with the Education Admission Committee.
Successful field placement evaluations from EDU 2202 Introduction to Education and EDU 2243 Educational Psychology.
Compliance with all standards expected of the Rochester College campus community, as outlined in the Student Handbook and the College Catalog.
Continuation in the Teacher Education Program requires maintenance of the academic and professional standards required for initial admission to the program.
