Teacher Certification

Spring Arbor University recommends students to the Michigan Department of Education for Teacher Certification who have successfully completed all program requirements for elementary or secondary certification and have been cleared by the SAU Business Office.  Please note that all recommendations for certification are completed via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System and requires a fee to be paid directly to the State of Michigan. Even if a teacher education candidate plans on seeking a job outside of Michigan, the School of Education strongly recommends obtaining the certificate in Michigan first and transferring it to another state.

Complete information on certification requirements is available in the School of Education office.

Requirements for Secondary Certification

  • Completion of a major and a minor or two majors chosen from the following fields approved by the Michigan Department of Education with a GPA of at least 3.0 in each and no course grade below 2.00. Exception: The following major does not require an additional minor for secondary certification: Music Education.

Majors Available: Biology (DA), Chemistry (DC), English (BA), History (CC), Integrated Science (DI), Mathematics (EX), Music Education (JQ), Social Studies (group, RX), Spanish (FF), Special Education (SM)

Minors Available: Biology (DA), Chemistry (DC), English (BA), History (CC), Psychology (CE), Spanish (FF), Teaching English as a Second Language (NS)

Please see the current Undergraduate Catalog for a list of specific courses necessary.

  • Satisfactory scores on the subject area test for the major on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification. Passing the MTTC in the secondary minor is not required for certification, but strongly recommended for marketability.

Requirements for Elementary Certification

  • Completion of an Elementary Education major approved by the Michigan Department of Education with a GPA of at least 3.0 in education courses and no course grade below 2.0.

Available Elementary Education programs include Elementary Education PK-3 or Elementary Education PK-3 and 3-6.

Please see the current Undergraduate Catalog for a list of specific courses necessary.

  • Satisfactory score on the elementary exam of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification for all elementary certification candidates on either the PK-3 or 3-6 grade band(s).