Applying to the Post-Bachelor’s Teacher Certification Program
Applicants must apply separately to (1) Michigan State University and (2) the teacher preparation program in the College of Education at MSU.
(1) Admission to Michigan State University
Post-bachelor’s applicants typically apply to MSU as undergraduate students pursuing a second degree (although degree completion is not necessary for certification). Applicants not previously admitted to MSU as undergraduate students should apply for undergraduate admission as transfer students. Applicants who have already earned undergraduate degrees from MSU should apply for readmission to MSU. Whether applying for admission or readmission, post-bachelor’s applicants should not list Education as their major. This major is available only to traditional undergraduate students in Elementary Education. Instead, a degree major related to the teaching major should be selected (again, it is not necessary to complete the degree for certification purposes). Questions about what to declare as a major should be discussed with a post-bachelor’s advisor in 134 Erickson Hall. Applicants should answer “no” to the question on the application that asks if the credits earned will be applied toward certification (answering “yes” routes the application to our office for review; this step is unnecessary in the case of post-bachelor’s applicants). Applicants who apply as second degree undergraduate students will pay the undergraduate tuition rate (see the Tuition, Fees and Housing Calculator for more information).
In some cases, post-bachelor’s applicants apply as Lifelong Education (non-degree) students. These applicants should also answer “no” to the question on the application that asks whether credits will be applied toward certification. Lifelong Education students are assessed at the Lifelong Education tuition rate. There are no additional fees associated with this status, which minimizes cost (note that out-of-state rates still apply and international students still pay an additional fee); however, Lifelong Education students are not eligible for most sources of financial assistance (the Mildred B. Erickson Scholarship is an exception). A post-bachelor’s advisor in 134 Erickson Hall can advise applicants about the most appropriate application and enrollment status.
(2) Admission to the College of Education
Applicants must also apply to the College of Education for admission to the Post-Bachelor’s Teacher Certification Program. Admission criteria include (but are not limited to) GPA (a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required), experiences related to teaching and diversity and demonstration of basic skills in reading, mathematics and writing using a test approved by the Michigan Department of Education (see “SAT Results Required for Admission” below).
Online Application
The application for admission to the teacher preparation program is completed online.Application Fee
Choosing Majors/Minors and a Certification Level
Applicants pursuing elementary certification must choose one of four elementary teaching majors. The Special Education and Child Development (Early Childhood Education) majors are “add on” elementary certification options that require completion of the full elementary certification program, including one of the four elementary teaching majors. Applicants pursuing elementary certification can also add elementary minors but they are considered extra and optional.
Applicants pursuing secondary certification must choose a secondary teaching major and minor. They can add additional secondary teaching minors, but they are considered extra and optional.
SAT Results Required for Admission
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requires that all teacher preparation programs in Michigan be accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP requires that students admitted to teacher preparation programs take a standardized test. Because Michigan high school students take the SAT, MSU has chosen the current SAT (taken March 5, 2016 or later) as the standardized test required for admission.
Recent legislation has given us greater flexibility in interpreting test scores within the context of admission decisions. In the past, MDE required that applicants meet SAT “college and career readiness” standards in reading, writing and mathematics (see below). Although applicants are still required to take the current version of the SAT, reaching those scores is no longer required for admission. Further, we are committed to opening the teaching profession to students of all backgrounds. Therefore, SAT scores will not be a barrier to admission, but will be used to determine what (if any) support you may need to be successful in the teacher preparation program and teaching profession.
SAT College and Career Readiness Standards:
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 480 (or higher)
- Mathematics: 530 (or higher)
Applicants must take the entire SAT and have the results sent to MSU. Taking only portions of the SAT or failing to have results sent to MSU will make it impossible for us to use the results for admission to the teacher preparation program.
Alternative Test Results Acceptable for Admission
The Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Basic Skills Test (BST) and Professional Readiness Examination (PRE) are no longer available. However, passing results on those tests will be acceptable indefinitely (forever). In some cases, ACT results from tests taken before 9/23/17 may also be acceptable. If you have questions about using results from the BST, PRE or ACT, please contact a teacher prepartion advisor in the College of Education. To schedule an appointment, MSU students should use the online scheduling system. Non-MSU students should call 517 353 9680.
Additional Assistance
If you have not taken the SAT, you will find free test preparation information and materials on the College Board’s SAT website. Tutoring and test preparation support is also available in the Student Advising Office. To access that service, please follow these steps.
- Go to the College Board’s SAT website and download the following materials: SAT Practice Test 8, SAT Practice Test Answer Sheet, Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 8 and SAT Practice Test 8 Answer Explanations.
- After you have completed SAT Practice Test 8 and reviewed your results, please call the Student Advising Office (517 353 9680) for scheduling information.
- You must bring your completed version of SAT Practice Test 8 when you visit the tutor for help. The tutor will use the practice test as a diagnostic tool. This service is free.
Using Your Scores to Apply for Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program
- Applicants must take the entire SAT and have official results sent to MSU. Failing to do either will make it impossible for us to use the results for admission to the teacher preparation program.
- Applicants who are registered to take the SAT, but have not yet taken it, may apply; however, they cannot be admitted until official results have been received.
Application Deadlines
Applications for admission to the Post-Bachelor’s program 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
The Application Package
A complete application package for admission to the teacher preparation program includes the items listed below. Paper materials (Pre-admission Experience Forms for admission to Special Education, and unofficial copies of transcripts) must be sent to 620 Farm Lane, 134 Erickson Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824. Official transcripts should be sent to the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships. You must submit the following:
- A complete online application
- Results from the current version of the SAT (taken March 5, 2016 or later)
- For Special Education applicants, completed Special Education Pre-Admission Experience Forms
- Unofficial copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (sent to 620 Farm Lane,134 Erickson Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended sent directly from the issuing institution to the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250 Hannah Administration Building, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824.
Go To Application
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