How To Become a Teacher Online in Michigan

Becoming a teacher in Michigan requires earning a bachelor's degree and completing a teacher education program. Some colleges and universities offer these programs online.

Aspiring teachers must also complete additional reading courses and pass the necessary exams. Keep reading to learn more about becoming a teacher online in Michigan.

Steps for Becoming a Teacher Online in Michigan

To become a teacher in Michigan, you must earn a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher preparation program. Many education and teaching degrees include teacher preparation programs.

You'll also need to pass a background check and teaching exams.

1. Determine Your Area of Focus

The first step in becoming a teacher is to choose your area of focus, that is, the type of teacher you want to be. This will guide the type of degree you earn, the teaching exams you take, and the license you acquire.

In Michigan, teaching endorsements are broken into the following grade levels:

• early childhood general and special education (birth through kindergarten)
• lower elementary education (preschool through third grade)
• upper elementary education (grades 3-6)
• K-8 all subjects
• 7-8 all subjects
• general elementary K-6

Elementary school teachers may choose a subject area, like art, music, and physical education. Middle school and high school teachers typically need to choose a subject area, such as English, math, science, and social studies.

2. Gain an Undergraduate Degree Online

With some exceptions, teachers in Michigan must have a bachelor's degree in education or teaching. While online education degrees aren't common, they do exist.

However, there are currently no online bachelor's degrees offered in Michigan that lead to licensure. Students can earn their degree online through an out-of-state institution and transfer their credentials to Michigan.

Bachelor's degrees usually take four years of full-time study to complete. For an online teaching degree, you complete classes online, but you'll need to do your student teaching in person.

3. Pass a Background Check

Most teacher preparation programs will require you to pass a background check before you can do your student teaching. This is done to keep students and other staff members at the school safe.

You must also pass a background check to obtain your Michigan teaching certification. The teaching certification requires applicants to submit a fingerprint card.

4. Participate in a Teacher Preparation Program

Teachers in Michigan need to complete an approved teacher preparation program, also called an educator preparation program. These programs ensure you've taken all the necessary courses to become a teacher and completed your student teaching.

Many bachelor's degree programs for education or teaching contain teacher preparation programs, allowing students to complete both simultaneously. However, independent teacher preparation programs are available as well.

If your education preparation program is based in Michigan, it must be approved by the Michigan Department of Education. If you are completing your program in another state, Michigan will accept it as long as the program is approved by that state.

You can find a list of approved educator preparation providers on the Michigan Department of Education website.

5. Complete Required Reading Courses

Michigan requires elementary teacher candidates to complete six credit hours in the teaching of reading/literacy development and requires secondary teacher candidates to complete three hours. These hours may not be included in your teacher preparation program.

You can find the standards for this coursework on the Michigan Department of Education website. There are different standards for early childhood, lower elementary, upper elementary, and secondary licensure.

6. Complete Required Teaching Hours and Clinical Experiences

The final part of your teacher preparation program will be your student teaching hours. Even if you earn your teaching degree online, you'll need to do your student teaching in person.

During your student teaching, you'll be a guest teacher under the observation of an experienced, licensed teacher. You'll create lesson plans, teach lessons, and support students.

7. Pass Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Content Examinations

The final step before applying for your teacher certification is to pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification exams. The exams you must take will depend on your grade level and subject area.

Not all teachers need to take these exams; some may need to take more than one. Check with your program advisor to learn which tests to take.

8. Obtain Teaching Certification

Once you've completed all the eligibility requirements, you can apply for your Michigan teacher certification. You'll start by obtaining a Standard Certification.

You'll apply online through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). You'll need to upload proof of your degree, your completion of an approved educator preparation program, your MTTC scores, and your background check.

Your Standard Certification is valid for five years, after which you'll need to renew. Teachers who have been teaching for three years may be eligible to upgrade to the Professional Certification

Online Bachelor's in Education Degree Programs in Michigan

There are no online bachelor's in education degree programs in Michigan that will lead directly to a teaching license, but some programs can prepare you to continue your education with a master's degree or another type of teacher certification program. We've listed some below.

University of Michigan-Flint � BS in Early Childhood Studies

The University of Michigan-Flint is a public university in Flint, Michigan. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in early childhood studies.

The program prepares students for jobs in daycare centers, preschool programs, educational organizations, school administration, government agencies, and more. Field experience is required, and typically takes place on campus.

Central Michigan University � BA in Early Childhood Development & Learning

Central Michigan University is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It offers a bachelor's degree in early childhood development and learning.

Students who complete this program will be prepared to lead children to lifelong success in Head Start programs, preschools, and childcare centers. Field experience is required for this degree as well.

Baker College � BS in Early Childhood Education

Baker College is a private college in Owosso, Michigan. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in early childhood education.

After completing this program, students will be ready to find work in supervisory and administrative positions, such as preschool teacher, home visitor, curriculum developer, or child and family advocate. Courses are delivered in a live, online format.

What Is the Job Market Like for Online Teachers in Michigan?

There are no specific statistics as to what the job market is like for online teachers in Michigan, but we do have data for the job market for teachers overall in Michigan. According to O*Net, jobs for teachers are expected to grow by 2% in Michigan over the next several years.

When it comes to online teachers, it's hard to say exactly what's in store, as there are many challenges specific to online teaching. However, the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance (VLLA) expects demand for online teachers to continue to grow as digital learning continues to expand.

Are There Specific Regions in Michigan With a Higher Demand for Teachers?

According to the 2024 Michigan Teacher Shortage Study, there are several areas of Michigan where teachers are in high demand. The Detroit metro area, in particular, is facing a significant teacher shortage.

There are a few other parts of the state where teacher shortages are concentrated. These include along the state's southern border and in Michigan's upper peninsula.