Secondary Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC)
Are you a prospective student?
We would encourage you to start by watching the Informational Recording for the Secondary GTC emphasis. This recording provides valuable insight about the program itself, eligibility requirements, and important considerations when deciding whether this program meets your needs.
Access the slides from the presentation here!
The journey to becoming a teacher is rigorous, but the knowledge, experiences, and guidance gained through this program lay a strong foundation for future success.
Program Overview
Highlights
The Secondary GTC emphasis is designed for Teacher Candidates interested in teaching a specific subject area within a 5-12th Grade or K-12th Grade setting.
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Total Credits |
Subject Area Prerequisites - Undergraduate Level
Secondary GTC Cohort - Graduate Level
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Cost |
Preview current "Tuition & Fees" on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website
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Educational Format |
Subject Area Prerequisites - Undergraduate Level
Secondary GTC Cohort - Graduate Level
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Program Outcomes |
Initial, standard teaching certificate
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Subject Area Prerequisite Coursework
Prior to joining a Secondary GTC Cohort, Teacher Candidates must first complete the requirements for a state-approved subject area. The subject area coursework is housed at the undergraduate level within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and will likely be offered in-person, during the day, and on the Valley Campus in Allendale, MI.
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5-12th Grade Certification |
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English |
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Mathematics |
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Science |
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Social Studies |
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K-12th Grade Certification |
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Health and Physical Education |
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Music Education |
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Visual Arts Education |
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World Languages (French, German, Latin, Spanish) |
Prospective students should start by previewing a DRAFT Planned Program for their subject area. The official transcript evaluation will take place following undergraduate admission and will be completed by the Subject Area Department and the Professional Advisors in CLAS Advising. Following the transcript evaluation, you will receive a personalized Planned Program outlining any equivalencies and all outstanding requirements.
To be approved as an equivalent, previous coursework must align with the GVSU course objectives and current state teaching standards. Prospective students may be required to submit official course catalog language or syllabi to aid in the evaluation process.
Secondary GTC Coursework
The Secondary GTC coursework will cover topics such as adolescent literacy development, classroom management, teaching students with disabilities, and technology integration. Teacher Candidates will be considered full-time graduate students (enrolled in 9+ credits) during the Fall and Winter semesters of the GTC Cohort.
Teacher Candidates will receive a Registration Guide in March (prior to starting the GTC Cohort), which will outline their designated sections of coursework to enroll in each semester. Course scheduling is dependent on faculty availability, therefore, specific course details (i.e., meeting dates/times, locations) will be finalized once registration is live.
Teacher candidates will work with their CLAS Professional Advisor on a course plan to complete all requirements for the GVSU Planned Program.
May through June
- EDI 635: Development and Needs of Students
- EDS 652: Foundations of Special Education
Total Semester Credits: 6
August through December
- EDI 685: Practicum/Graduate Field Experience
- EDI 636: Instruction in Middle and High Schools
- EDI 638: Facilitating School Environments
- EDR 630: Literacy Instruction Across Disciplines (7-12)
Total Semester Credits: 12
You will also serve as a Teacher Apprentice this semester. See Clinical Field Experience Semesters section below.
January through April
EDI 685: Practicum/Graduate Field Experience
EDT 627: Technology Integration for Secondary Teachers
Total Semester Credits: 9
You will also serve as a Teacher Intern this semester. See Clinical Field Experience Semesters section below.
Eligibility Requirements
Criteria for Admission
- you're not yet certified to teach
- you hold a bachelor's degree or higher
- and are at least a year out from earning your bachelor's degree when starting a GTC Cohort
- you can complete the subject area requirements with a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- you have or can complete 30 hours of relevant experience (paid or unpaid) prior to starting a GTC Cohort
- hours must align with the age range for your intended subject area certification (5-12th Grade or K-12th Grade)
- you can commit full time to your teacher preparation program
Secondary GTC Admission Process
Completing the content area requirements is an investment of time and finances, so before beginning the application and admission processes for Secondary GTC, it's imperative that you preview the DRAFT Planned Program for your intended content area. This will give you perspective on all content area requirements, as well as the maximum number of credits you could expect to enroll in. Equivalent courses are determined by the CLAS Department/Professional Advisors, as it pertains to course objectives and alignment of current state standards.
New to GVSU: first you will need to apply to GVSU as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
Returning to GVSU: If it's been more than 2 semesters since attending GVSU, complete the Petition to Return form, found on the Registrar's website. Select the "Application for Re-Entry" option at the top and complete all relevant fields. Completed forms should be returned to the Registrar's Office. If it's been less than 2 semesters since attending GVSU, you can skip this step.
Once (re)admitted to GVSU, you will request a Planned Program be created for your intended subject area. This process will include a transcript evaluation by the CLAS Department/Professional Advisors to identify the requirements you need to complete before being eligible to start in the graduate program. Contact OCA at [email protected] so that our team can directly connect you with the appropriate Professional Advisor in CLAS Advising. Please be sure to state "I've been (re)admitted to GVSU and am ready to have a Planned Program created for [subject area]."
Please allow 1-3 weeks to receive your Planned Program from the Professional Advisor, as there may be a need for submission of syllabi and official review by the CLAS Department.
Connect with your Professional Advisor for next steps and support.
As you approach the end of your content area coursework, complete the Secondary GTC Cohort application to confirm participation in the upcoming Secondary GTC Cohort. New Cohorts begin each May. Within this application, you will:
- provide your GVSU email address and G-Number
- disclose if you have a felony or misdemeanor
- provide consent to share educational records
- upload your Essay/Personal Statement
- upload your Verification of Experience form
- upload your Educator Resume
- upload an updated copy of your Planned Program, confirming that you're on track to complete all content area requirements prior to the Cohort start
Application Window: August 1st through November 1st
Application Deadline: November 1st
*Late applicants should contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation at [email protected] or 616-331-6650
Following the November 1st application deadline, the Office of Certification and Accreditation (OCA) will take a few weeks to review applications for the upcoming GTC Cohort. From there, OCA will coordinate one-on-one meetings with each applicant to review their submission and discuss next steps. Application Review Meetings typically take place early December. Please be sure to check your GVSU Student Email (@mail.gvsu.edu) regularly, as this is how the university will initiate communications once admitted, including how to register for an Application Review Meeting.
Lastly, you will need to apply to GVSU's Graduate School for the Spring/Summer semester in which you will start the GTC Cohort. Within this application, you will:
- re-upload your Essay/Personal Statement
- re-upload your Educator Resume
- if content area coursework has been taken at another institution, send official transcripts to GVSU
Follow the Graduate Studies Application Guide - Secondary GTC to ensure you apply appropriately.
Application Deadline: January 15th
Application Materials
Essay/Personal Statement Prompt
Educator Resume Example
Educator Resume Template (with notes)
Educator Resume Template
Verification of Experience Form
Please note: Teacher Candidates will also need to submit an updated copy of their Planned Program(s) to show that they are on track to complete all subject area requirements prior to the GTC Cohort starting in May. Teacher Candidates will work with the Professional Advisor in CLAS Advising on updates in order to submit with their GTC Cohort application by the November 1st deadline.