Occupational Certificate
Facts about the Occupational Education Certificate
The qualifications for a Michigan Occupational Education Certificate are:
- Three years of successful teaching experience
following the issuance of and within the validity of the initial Michigan Temporary Vocational Authorization/Interim Occupational Certificate. - Evidence of completion of 9 semester hours in a planned program, after the issuance of the Temporary Vocational Authorization or Interim Occupational Certificate, or a completed approved master’s degree. A planned program is a list of recommended classes approved by an occupational education advisor.
- On Apr. 1, 1989, Act 339 of the Public Acts of 1988 was implemented. This act stated that by signing and returning an application, you are agreeing to pay the required certification fee and requesting that the certificate be issued.
Western Michigan University will investigate your qualifications and, if satisfactory, will make a recommendation to the Michigan Department of Education. (If it is determined that you do not meet these qualifications, you will be informed of the deficiencies.) Following WMU’s recommendation to the MDE, you will receive a bill. The Occupational Education Certificate is mailed directly to you from the Michigan Department of Education once payment has been received. This process takes 60-90 days. Since Jul. 1, 1992, persons receiving an Occupational Education Certificate (formerly the Full Vocational Certificate) are required to renew that certificate every five years on the basis of six semester hours of academic credit from an approved teacher preparation institution or the equivalent in State Board- approved professional development programs or activities that will award Continuing Education Units SB-CEU's). (Three SB-CEUs are equivalent to one semester hour.
Cynthia DeRyke, Teacher/Administrator Certification Officer
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5260
Phone: (269) 387-3474
FAX: (269) 387-3404
