Requirements & Courses

These certificates permit teaching in grades PK-3 and 3-6. Subject area endorsements permit teaching in grades 6-8 in that subject area. To be recommended for certification by Alma College, the candidate must complete the following:

1. PK-6 Education Major, requirements listed above, with a 2.5 GPA and no course required for certification may be taken Pass / Fail or be graded below a 2.0 (C).
2. An overall GPA of 2.75 is required for Alma College to recommend a student for certification. 
3. A 2.5 GPA is required for each additional endorsement area and no course required for certification may be taken Pass/Fail or be graded below a 2.0 (C).
4. Candidates must pass MTTC, required for PK-3 and/or 3-6 certification. Note: PK-6 candidates must pass MTTC in their majors or minors to be certified in these additional endorsement areas. For initial certification, MTTC subject-area passing scores will remain valid for five years. 
5. Students must provide proof of valid CPR and First Aid cards as required by the Michigan Department of Education. 

Thirty-six credits, which must include:

1. ENG-120; 190; 225; four credits of any 300-level literature course
2. Four credits in Literature from: ENG-250; 251; 260; 261
3. Eight credits in Writing from: ENG-201; 202; 210; 220; 270; 291; 293
4. Four credits in Communication Arts from: COM-101; 111; NMS-201
5. Four credits in Multicultural and Interpersonal perspectives from: COM-123, 201, 220; ENG-240; 241; 367; 368; 381
6. For certification, take and pass the MTTC Language Arts test.

Twenty-four credits, which must include:

1. Complete ENG-120; 225; and COM-220.
2. Four credits in Literature from: ENG-250; 251; 260; or 261
3. Four credits in Writing from: ENG-201; 210; or another writing class approved by the English Department.
4. Four credits from Communication: COM-101; 111; 123; or 227
5. For certification, take and pass the MTTC Language Arts test.

Twenty-four credits which must include:

1. BIO-121 (4 cr); CHM-103 (4 cr); ENV-110 (4 cr); GEO-113 (4 cr); PSC-380 (4 cr)
2. One elective class from ENV-105 (4 cr), GEO-101 (4 cr) or other four-credit class approved by the Education Department.
3. For certification, take and pass the MTTC Integrated Science test.

Forty-four credits, which must include:

1. ECN-111 (4 cr) and 112 (4 cr)
2. POL-101 (4 cr) and 121 (4 cr)
3. GGR -101 (2 cr), 102 (2 cr), and 201 (4 cr)
4. HST-100 (4 cr), 101 (4 cr), 104 (4 cr), 105 (4 cr), and 206 (4 cr)
5. For certification, take and pass the MTTC Social Studies test.

See MTH Department course listings.

The Michigan State Board of Education certifies all teachers.

Alma College is authorized to recommend to the State Board those students who have completed a bachelor’s degree, passed state required Subject Tests in endorsement areas, and successfully fulfilled all requirements of the Teacher Education Program. The Education Department offers majors and minors leading to teacher certification. The Department also offers a non-certification Educational Studies Major and Minor and Special Education Minor. Certification requirements are subject to change by action of the State Board of Education and may not be reflected in this catalog.

Teaching Major and Minor Requirements: Requirements for Teaching Majors and Minors are in the subject area department listings; requirements for group majors or minors are listed in the Education Department listing. Student should consult with the Education Department about requirements. 

Graduation Requirements: Students who are in the Teacher Education Certification Program shall only be deemed as satisfying graduation requirements when all required courses for certification are complete.

Students may achieve honors in Education by:

1. An approved application to pursue honors in education
2. Earning a 3.5 GPA in an Education major (elementary education, secondary education, or educational studies) and a 3.3 overall cumulative GPA.
3. Performing at a superior level in the culminating departmental experience of student teaching (EDC 490 / 491) or an educational studies internship (EDC-470).
4. Preparing a senior thesis of honors caliber and presenting it at an appropriate public forum.
5. Earning a minimum grade of AB in EDC-500

Michigan school districts require anyone who has contact with children in their school buildings, including staff or volunteers, to provide the district with documentation of central registry clearance. All students who have an Education course with a classroom placement must have a background check completed at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) prior to beginning in their assigned classroom. This is free of charge, and DHHS records must be current. See the Education Department for more details. School Districts may require additional screenings.

The Education Department requires fingerprinting of student teachers. All student teachers must have the Criminal Background Check Livescan fingerprinting procedure completed by August 1 or prior to beginning student teaching in their assigned district. Livescan must be completed at a Michigan Department of Education-approved site and is a statewide procedure. A fee is charged for this service, and fingerprint records must remain valid throughout your student teaching period. See the Education Department for more details.

The Education Department reviews all applicants and judges their suitability for entrance to the program during the student’s sophomore year; students who decide to seek teacher certification after the sophomore year can be admitted late but may require extra time to complete the program. For full approval students must have the following:

1. A completed application (on Tk20) for admission to the TEP submitted by the deadline.
2. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in writing and mathematics as determined by Alma College.
4. Provide scores in reading, math, and writing on a nationally normed assessment.
5. Evidence that the applicant has dispositions conducive to success in the teaching profession (as indicated by disposition assessment forms, Student Life reports, the recommendation of the Education Department, and a Felony Conviction Statement confirming that the student has not been convicted of any act contributing to the delinquency of a minor or involving moral turpitude).
6. Good standing - student life. 
7. All majors(s) and minor(s) must be declared through the Registrar’s Office at the time of TEP application.

Be aware that these requirements are subject to change in accordance with state or national accreditation mandates. 

The Education Department reviews a student for admission to Student Teaching. For full approval, students must have the following:

1. Admission to the Teacher Education Program
2. A formal application for student teaching submitted by November 15 of the academic year prior to student teaching.
3. A 2.75 overall cumulative
4. For Secondary Education: a GPA in the Teaching Major(s) of 2.75; if applicable, a C or above in all classes in the Social Studies and Special Education endorsements.
5. For PK-6 Education: a GPA in the Teaching Major(s) of 2.5 with C or above in all courses (2.75 required for K-12 Special Education - Learning Disabilities major)
6. A 2.5 GPA in Education courses and a grade of C or above in all
7. A passing grade in two clinical experience courses in the secondary or PK-6 major
8. Evidence that the applicant has dispositions conducive to success in the teaching profession (as indicated by disposition assessment forms, the recommendation of the Education Department, and a Felony Conviction Statement confirming that the student has not been convicted of any act contributing to the delinquency of a minor or involving moral turpitude).

1. Admission to the Teacher Education Program is a prerequisite for all classes at the 300 level and above for certification candidates.
2. Note on scheduling: it is expected that students attempt no more than 45 hours in placement class/es in any semester.
3. Once approved for the student teaching internship, the requirements must be retained in order to begin the student teaching term.
4. Student teachers may not participate in significant non-teaching activities such as arts or sports without securing prior written approval from the Education Department.