Post-Degree Programs

Standard Teaching Certificate Renewals

The Standard Teaching Certificate is a five-year teaching certificate with unlimited renewals. Each renewal adds five years to the certificate's validity. A renewal can be requested any time after January 1 of the expiration year. Please visit the Michigan Department of Education webpage for the most current information on requirements for renewing the standard teaching certificate.

Progressing to the Professional Teaching Certificate

Application for progression to the Professional Certificate may occur after three (3) years of successful teaching since the issue date of the initial Standard Teaching Certificate, within the content areas and grade level of the Standard Teaching Certificate; and other requirements as detailed in the Michigan Department of Education Progressing to Professional Certificate - Beginning July 1, 2018.

Please visit the Michigan Department of Education webpage for the most current information on requirements for advancing to the Professional Teaching Certificate or for renewing the Professional Teaching Certificate.

Professional Education Certification Program (PEC)

The Professional Education Certificate Program is for persons with a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate wishing to obtain a renewal of their Standard Teaching Certificate or upgrade to the Professional Teaching Certificate. Individuals with a Michigan Professional Teaching Certificate can also utilize this program to renew their current certificate.

Curriculum

Certified teachers can qualify for a renewal of their Standard Teaching Certificate or upgrade to the Professional Teaching Certificate (if all other State of Michigan requirements are met) by completing the 6 semester hour post-degree program offered at UM-Dearborn through the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. This program is ideal for the working teacher who wants to maintain a valid teaching credential but is not interested in pursuing a graduate degree.

The Professional Education certificate program is tailor-made to fit the particular professional needs and goals of the individual teacher. To meet residency requirements, students must satisfactorily complete at least 3 semester hours of advisor-approved courses in a planned 6-hour program. The entire course of study, however, can be completed at UM-Dearborn by attending classes during late afternoons, early evenings, summers, and in some cases, in online courses.

More information can be found on the:

Admission

  1. Admission to this post-degree program (PEC) requires formal application to the program, a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate, and an approved bachelor's degree. Official copies of transcripts and a copy of the teaching certificate are required.
  2. The plan of study is agreed upon with an advisor who will meet regularly with the student to advise and monitor progress of the 6 semester hour plan of work. 
  3. Correspondence courses may not be used in this program for either renewal or continuing certification.
  4. Workshops, online courses from other universities, and conferences offering graduate credit must be approved by the Professional Standards Committee prior to enrollment.

Enhancement Program (EP)

The Enhancement Program (EP) is for persons with a Michigan Standard or Professional Teaching Certificate who wish to enhance their certificate with an additional major, minor, or endorsement. Individuals entering this program are required to meet all requirements leading to the desired additional endorsement on their teaching certificate. Additionally, the MTTC Subject Area Test must be taken and acceptable scores achieved before a recommendation can be made to the state. 

Enhancement Program Option: Secondary* (for adding to existing level-based teaching certificates only)

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has traditionally certified teachers in two different levels, Elementary and Secondary. Starting in Fall 2021, the state began a transition from this level-based certification to a new structure that certifies teachers in grade bands, changing the current EP options available. Please visit the Michigan Department of Education Revised Teacher Certification Structure for more information. 

The College of Education, Health and Human Services will continue to offer our level-based, post degree Enhancement Program for current teachers with a valid Secondary teacher certificate from the Michigan Department of Education in order to add additional endorsements to their level-based teaching certificates. However, the Secondary level-based content endorsements are beginning to be phased out as the MDE moves to the grade-band programs. Students must be able to complete the course requirements and take and pass the relevant MTTC certification exam prior to the discontinuation of these exams or risk not being able to be endorsed in the pursued content area. The Michigan Department of Education will be creating and sharing a timetable of how these tests will be phased out in the coming months. Please see the Michigan Department of Education, website for the most current information. 

*Elementary level-based Enhancement Programs have been closed, effective Summer 2023.

Enhancement Program Option: Elementary and Secondary (for adding to existing level-based and grade-band certificates)

The English as a Second Language (ESL) PK-12 program is designed for teachers who wish to earn the NS (English as a Second Language) endorsement on their teaching certificate. Teachers certified at all levels are eligible for this endorsement program option. Program coursework is aligned with state and national ESL standards and provides the breadth and depth of knowledge required to effectively teach students whose first language is not English.

Information regarding additional post-degree endorsement options that align with the new grade-band certification structure will be available in the near future.