2010-2011 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Michigan Professional Certification

Candidates for Michigan Professional Certification must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Hold a Michigan Provisional Certificate.
2. Teach successfully for three years after the issuance of the provisional certificate and according to its validity.
3. Show evidence of coursework in reading methods: six semester credits for elementary, three for secondary.
4. Earn 18 semester credits after the issuance of the provisional certificate in a planned course of study. (Applicants with an approved earned masters degree or higher are not required to complete the 18-credit planned program.)
5. Complete an approved state required course in the diagnosis and remediation of reading disabilities and differentiated instruction, including field experiences, as part of the 18 credits required for the Professional Certificate.

If necessary, the Provisional Certificate may be renewed for a three-year period upon completion of nine credits from the 18-credit planned program. A second three-year renewal is available upon completion of all 18 credits.

Renewal of Professional Certificate

The Michigan Professional Certificate (earned after June 30, 1992) must be renewed every five years upon completion of six semester credits or the equivalent in state board approved continuing education units, or any combination thereof. (Three continuing education units are the equivalent of one semester credit.) Courses used for renewal of the Professional Certificate need not be in a planned program but must be taken at an approved education institution and must be taken within the five-year period.

Students applying for professional certificate renewal, must contact the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) (517) 373-3310. Students may obtain the application from the MDE Web site: www.Michigan.gov/mde

Applying for Certification and Endorsements

Candidates should make application with the College of Education Student Information Services Center at the beginning of the semester in which they expect to complete all requirements. They should also be certain that they have an approved planned program, have met all university requirements, and have transcripts and other documentation on file in the Records Office.

Planned Program Options for Professional Certification

The following options for completing the required 18-semester-hour planned program beyond the bachelors degree for the professional certificate have been approved by the College of Education. Note: Students returning to teaching after an absence should also consult with Career Services to discuss credentials and the College of Education Student Information and Services Center for educational offerings that will prepare them to meet employment needs.

Option 1. Master's Degree

If the 18 semester hours are part of a masters degree program in an approved teacher education institution, the applicant for a professional certificate must submit a list of courses to be approved by a Grand Valley College of Education advisor. If the candidate has an approved planned program that includes an approved reading course and is admitted into the M.Ed. program at Grand Valley, no further documentation is necessary. If your planned program does not include a reading course, please consult with your College of Education advisor for an appropriate course (See Reading Requirements below).

Option 2. Additional Major or Minor

The applicant may earn additional endorsements consisting of at least 20 hours within the College of Education or with approved subject area majors or minors. Program advisors must approve all additional endorsements. Applicants adding additional subject area endorsements must also pass Michigan Subject Area tests.

Option 3. Additional Certificate Level

Applicants may earn endorsements allowing them to teach at a new level. See the following areas in the graduate degree section of this catalog for endorsements of 18 credits or more that will expand the certification level.

1. Early Childhood Endorsement.
2. Elementary Endorsement.
3. Secondary Endorsement.

Option 4. Professional Development

Candidates choosing an 18-credit professional development program should contact the Student Information and Services Center. Courses may be chosen from professional education or from the candidates major or minor. No more than one elective course may be applied without advisor approval. All professional development course work must be approved by a College of Education advisor.

Reading Requirement

All candidates for provisional or professional certification must show evidence of coursework in reading methods, six credits for elementary, three for secondary. Also, effective July 1, 2009 an approved course in the diagnosis and remediation of reading disabilities and differentiated instruction, including field experiences, is required as part of the professional certificate. It is recommended that students have their College of Education advisor establish these courses when planning their official program of study if they have not yet met the requirement. If a Michigan Provisional Certificate was granted after July 1983 from a Michigan accredited teacher preparation institution, the candidate would have fulfilled the reading requirement for the elementary, secondary reading methods courses, but still may require the diagnosis and remediation of reading disabilities and differentiated instruction course.