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Endorsement Information

Various endorsement "planned program" options are outlined below. The first 18 hours in these planned programs will also count toward the hours required to earn the Michigan Professional certificate. Remember, you will also need to complete Michigan's diagnostic reading requirement even if it is not a requirement in the program(s) below.

Subject Endorsement(s)

Elementary or Secondary:

A candidate may earn an additional endorsement in a new major or minor APPROPRIATE to the grade level of the original certificate.  For example, a secondary certified teacher may add a secondary minor or major such as Secondary Mathematics to be certified in grade 6-12 Mathematics. The elementary certified teacher may complete an elementary minor such as Elementary Mathematics to become certified 6-8 Mathematics.

State of Michigan subject area testing will apply to the addition of endorsement(s) to existing certificates after Sept. 1, 1993. Michigan Test for Teacher/Administrator Certification (MTTC) - additional endorsements and test numbers.

Special (Adapted) Physical Education

The State Approval Program (22 credits) is only available to teachers who possess a valid Michigan teaching certificate and an endorsement in physical education, special education, or both. This endorsement does not require an MTTC subject exam

Grade-Level Endorsements

A candidate must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours at the following endorsement levels:

• Early Childhood (may only be added to an elementary teaching certificate) - to teach in a school program preceding or including kindergarten. Must be admitted to the Early Childhood master's degree program and complete the approved 26 semester hours of course work. To complete the Master’s Degree, additional course work is required.  To add this grade-level to an active Michigan ELEMENTARY teaching certificate, the candidate must complete the approved courses, pass the MTTC subject exam test #82 and apply to the Teacher/Administrator Certification Office for the endorsement. Program Adviser: , (269) 387-3509.


• General Elementary - to teach in grades kindergarten through five in all subject areas and in the major and minor areas of preparation in grade six. To add the grade-level endorsement to an active Michigan SECONDARY teaching certificate, the candidate must complete the approved courses, pass the MTTC subject exam test #83 and apply to the Teacher/Administrator Certification Office for the endorsement. Program Adviser: , (269) 387-3473.


• Middle School - to teach in grades five through nine in the major and minor areas of preparation. Program Adviser: , (269) 387-3473.


• Secondary - to teach in grades nine to and including twelve in the major and minor areas of preparation. Program Adviser: , (269) 387-3473.