On-campus student organizations with a professional goal are an excellent way to explore your future career and get involved in your field. For more information on the organizations below use the GVSU LakerLink.

• Council for Exceptional Children (CECS)
• Kappa Delta Pi
• Teachers of Tomorrow – Phi Delta Kappa
• Student Chapter of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE)
Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) 
National Art Education Association (NAEA)
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) 
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
National Education Association (NEA)

Summer can be a great way to develop teaching skills, discover alternative pathways, work on continuing education, or take a break before the upcoming academic year. Whether you are just starting out, a seasoned educator, or  looking for something new, explore these resources to make the most of summer break!

• Continuing Education Opportunities:
  • Many education conferences happen during the summer- check out summer education conferences in Michigan 
  • Check out GVSU’s SCECHS opportunities to take self-paced continuing education credits
  • Search the Michigan Online Educator Certification System for other opportunities 

• Teaching Related Opportunities:
  • Check out summer positions within local school systems 
  • Consider teaching Driver Education  for high school students
  • Explore opportunities at Michigan College Access Network (MCAN)
  • Check out resources through the Civic Engagement Office on post-graduate service opportunities
  • Volunteer within the community or at GVSU
  • Offer tutoring services in a specialized area such as reading, writing, or math

• Attend an Info Session. Questions about a graduate program? Some programs will offer in-person or virtual info sessions to learn more about a program you might be considering 
  • Consider attending a GVSU Graduate School info session for a program of interest
  • Check out GVSU’s Graduate School Podcast Series for more information
• Gather information on whether to pursue graduate education and a timeline for preparing for graduate study.

Some common graduate pathways in Education may include:

• Higher Education- for those interested in pursuing careers within higher ed administration or student affairs settings
• Education Leadership- provides aspiring educational leaders with clinical experiences, case methods of teaching, and pragmatic curriculum geared to the specific knowledge required for success in school-level leadership for pre-K through grade 12.
• Education, Instruction, and Curriculum- allows current educators to gain a master's-level understanding and content specialization in specific areas.
  • Education Differentiation emphasis
  • Early Childhood emphasis
  • Elementary Education emphasis
  • Secondary Education emphasis
• Education, Learning, Design, and Technology- prepares professionals to design and develop effective, engaging instruction and empirically-grounded learning environments that utilize technology effectively in a variety of settings, including PK- 12, higher education, business, non-profits, and other training settings.
• School Counseling-  prepares students with the skills needed to develop, manage, implement, and assess a comprehensive school counselor program.
• Graduate Teacher Certificate (GTC)
• Special Education, M.ED
• Special Education Administration, M.ED

After passing the MTTC exam  and meeting the Teaching Certification Requirements , students are able to complete a variety of teaching certificates:

• Standard Teaching Certificate 
• Professional Teaching Certificate  
• School Administrator Certificate  

Students interested in graduate programs should explore the Education Graduate Program website and the various certificate options available: 

• Graduate Teacher Certificate (GTC)
• Graduate Certificate in Online/Blended Learning 
• Graduate Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESOL) 

For more information about certifications, the MTTC test, or questions about the process to become a teacher, check out the GVSU Education Programs Department.

Some students decide after graduation to enter the Education field but did not graduate with a teaching degree. Here are a few alternative pathways to certification:

• Department of Education Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification and Endorsement
  • Department of Education Approves Alternative Route Providers 
• GVSU alumni have served with Teach for America and used that as an avenue for certification
• Graduate Teacher Certificate (GTC)
• Many of our charter schools have alternative pathways and you can teach without certification. 
  • Home | Grand Rapids Michigan | National Heritage Academies (nhaschools.com)
  • Choice Schools
• Michigan College Access Network offers great opportunities to work in high schools or community colleges as college access advisors or college completion corps. They also offer college debt relief/college funding.