Skip to main content

2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Graduate Teacher Certification

Candidates who already possess an approved baccalaureate degree may consider certification at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Because of the need for careful assessment in choosing the appropriate program, students should first contact the Student Information and Services Center to request background materials and register to attend one of the regularly scheduled information meetings. Candidates considering the graduate program must be able to undertake full-time study for approximately one calendar year. This program is offered partially online or fully online. See program advisor for program details.

Admission

  1. Completion of the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution at least one year prior to application with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the final 60 semester credits.
  2. A completed Master's of Education (M.Ed.) graduate application submitted to the GVSU Admissions and Recruitment Office.
  3. A completed online GTC application is also needed; this is due by November 1 to the College of Education and Community Innovation. A complete application includes:
    • Resume
    • Personal Essay
    • Application review meeting with Elementary or Secondary Placement Specialist in the College of Education and Community Innovation Office of Certification and Accreditation
    • Evidence of 30 exploratory hours of paid or volunteer work with children in a range of grades and types of classroom types (due by November 1 unless given permission for extension).
    • Felony and misdemeanor conviction statement. Review procedures for those who have been convicted or pleaded no contest to a felony or certain misdemeanors are available from the College of Education and Community Innovation. Conviction or a plea of no contest may cause the candidate to be denied for admission, field placement, or final certification. Candidates are required to pay a fee for conducting a Live Scan criminal background check; information on conducting Live Scan will be provided after submitting the GTC application.
  4. For Secondary candidates only:
    • completion of an approved teaching major and minor with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    • Students seeking a major in world languages must pass the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) prior to their student teaching semester.
  5. For Elementary candidates only:

Exit Requirements

Recommendation for the Michigan Standard Certificate requires the following:

  1. Grades of B- or better in all GTC courses and positive recommendations in clinical field courses.
  2. All candidates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.000 or higher in their graduate studies at Grand Valley State University.
  3. Secondary and PK-12 candidates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.000 in their completed content area major and minor coursework.

Passing scores on the appropriate program Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).

  • Elementary candidates must pass the elementary subarea tests in their grade band(s).
  • Secondary candidates must pass subject area tests in their teaching major; if they also pass subject area tests in their teaching minor this will also be added to their certificate.

If your criminal history has changed since you originally applied for field placement to the College of Education and Community Innovation, contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation to confirm the change(s) are on file.

Program Requirements for Graduate Teacher Certification - Secondary Education

There are 27 credits required, detailed as follows.

Summer Semester:

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

PLUS completion of 15 additional credits (EDI 637, EDI 639, EDF 660, either EDF 671 or EDF 672, and either EDI 693 or EDI 695) to fulfill M.Ed. degree requirements. See M.Ed. in Instruction and Curriculum - Secondary Education for details.

Program Requirements for Graduate Teacher Certification - Elementary Education Grades PK-3 and 3-6

There are 36 credits required, detailed as follows.

Spring/Summer Semester:

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

PLUS completion of 15 additional credits (EDI 637, EDI 639, EDF 660, either EDF 671 or EDF 672, and either EDI 693 or EDI 695) to fulfill M.Ed. degree requirements. See M.Ed. in instruction and curriculum - elementary education for details.

Exit Requirements

Recommendation for the Michigan Standard Certificate requires the following:

  1. Grades of B- or better in all GTC courses and positive recommendations in clinical field courses.
  2. All candidates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.000 or higher in their graduate studies at Grand Valley State University.
  3. Secondary and PK-12 candidates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.000 in their completed content area major and minor coursework.

Passing scores on the appropriate program Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).

  • Elementary candidates must pass the elementary subarea tests in their grade band(s).
  • Secondary candidates must pass subject area tests in their teaching major; if they also pass subject area tests in their teaching minor this will also be added to their certificate.

If your criminal history has changed since you originally applied for field placement to the College of Education and Community Innovation, contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation to confirm the change(s) are on file.


If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.