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Elementary Teacher Certification

We provide high quality education and field experiences that prepare you to teach future generations.

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) provides degree programs that are approved by the Michigan Department of Education and enable us to provide recommendations resulting in state-issued certification for teachers. Additionally, CEHHS is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) which provides evidence that our programs meet the standards of an Educator Preparation Institution (EPI).

The Michigan Department of Education 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. As a result, we have developed two new majors for incoming students to pursue certification in one or more grade bands. We will also continue to offer our level-based certification degree programs for some transfer students and our current students who will be grandfathered into the level-based certification structure.

New ProgramOld Program
Elementary Grade Band Certification (New)
Elementary Level-Based Certification (Old)

Our Grade Band Certification program is best suited for:

  • Current UM-Dearborn students who will not be eligible for student teaching by Winter 2025.
  • New incoming Freshman students.
  • New incoming transfer students with a minimal number of credits that apply to one of our 7 level-based majors and will not be eligible for student teaching by Winter 2025.

Our Level-Based Certification programs are best suited for:

  • Current UM-Dearborn students pursuing Elementary Certification and able to student teach by the Winter 2025 semester.
  • New incoming transfer students who have a considerable number of credits that apply to one of our 7 level-based majors and are able to student teach by the Winter 2025 semester.

If you are uncertain about which certification type you should pursue, you can contact the CEHHS Office of Student Success.

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services is committed to expanding and scaling digital equity and transformation in learning.  As a sign of support for this commitment we have signed the EPP Digital Equity and Transformation Pledge created by ISTE, AAQEP and CAEP and we will continue to work to insure that our faculty have the tools and knowledge necessary to prepare future teachers to effectively integrate technology in their teaching.

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Licensure Statement

The pathways in our Educator Preparation Program were designed to satisfy educational prerequisites to initial and advanced licensure in only the state of Michigan. We encourage students to contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state in which they are located or, if different, the state in which they intend to seek licensure for more information. While the Educator Preparation Program pathways may or may not fully satisfy educational prerequisites to licensure in other states, academic advisors work with students on an individual basis and are available to discuss teaching certifications and reciprocity opportunities in other states. In addition, the Education Commission of the States website provides solid information as to the expectations each state and the District of Columbia has for obtaining licensure beyond Michigan licensure. 

Contact Information

CEHHS Office for Student Success
262 Fairlane Center South (FCS)
[email protected]
313-593-5090