Candidates who meet admission requirements are accepted into the Graduate Teacher Certification Secondary Education program in February and are placed in a Secondary level cohort group. The cohort groups are a resource for friendship and support throughout the program. The sequence of teacher education courses leading to certification begins spring/summer term. Groups conclude their studies at the end of April the following year.

All traditional and hybrid courses are taught on the GVSU Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

We invite you to register for one of our upcoming program information sessions to learn more about the program and admission requirements:

Secondary GTC Information Session 

Student Outcomes for Graduate Teacher Certification

1. Completion of the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution at least one year prior to application with a 3.0 GPA or higher for the final 60 semester credits.
2. A 3.0 GPA in the teachable major/minor subject.
3. A completed Master's of Education (M.Ed.) graduate application submitted to the GVSU Admissions Office by January 15.
4. A separate GTC application packet is also needed. This is available from the College of Education and Community Innovation's Office of Certification and Accreditation and due by November 1st for the following cohort year.
   • Declaration of Cohort year.
   • Passing scores on the MTTC Subject Area tests. Please confirm with the Office of Certification and Accreditation which MTTC tests are required for your GTC program prior to registering for a test.
   • Evidence of 30 hours of paid or volunteer work with children within the age group you wish to teach (due by November 1 unless given permission for extension).
   • Professional Educators Resume.
   • A personal essay.
   • A personal Application interview with the Placement Specialist.
   • Signed statement regarding criminal activity and submission of official court documentation.

PLEASE NOTE: Students seeking a major in Modern Languages must pass the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) prior to their student teaching semester.

An individual interested in teaching at the secondary level is required to have a teachable major/minor and would be certified to teach grades 6-12 in the subject major and/or minor.

NOTES:

• Those who wish to become certified as secondary level teachers are required to have a teachable major/minor completed before entering the GTC program. Secondary level candidates also need to have a nearly complete teachable minor.
• Coursework for Secondary Certification is now an Online Program with exception to fieldwork which can be at any approved location in Michigan!

There are 27 credits required, detailed as follows.

Spring/Summer Session, May - August

• EDI 635 - Development and Needs of Students (3 credits) online
• EDS 652 - Foundations of Special Education (3 credits) online

Fall Session, August - December

• EDI 636 - Instruction in Middle and High Schools (3 credits) online
• EDI 638 - Facilitating School Environments (3 credits) online
• EDI 685 - Practicum/Graduate Field Placement, (20 hours per week, 3 credits) plus weekly online cohort meetings and one seminar
• EDR 623 - Development Literacy for Adolescents (3 credits) online

Winter Session, January - April

• EDI 685 - Practicum/Graduate Field Placement (6 credits) Monday through Friday all day, plus weekly online cohort meetings and one seminar
• EDT 627 - Technology Integration for Secondary Teachers (3 credits) online (Course may require documentation of standards met)

Upon completion of the Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC) program, students may continue coursework toward the master's degree in Secondary or another approved master's degree program. Interested students should contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation at [email protected] or (616) 331-6650 to meet with an advisor.

Visit the online catalog for a list of the Masters of Education Degree in Instruction and Curriculum, Secondary Education Courses and degree requirements.

Masters of Education Degree in Instruction and Curriculum,
Secondary Education Courses