Health Teacher Certification in Michigan

<p>Health teachers promote a healthy lifestyle by educating students on healthy behaviors and making positive choices. Those interested in teaching health in a Michigan school can receive the elementary certificate to teach grades K-8 or the secondary certificate to teach grades 6-12. Read further to learn more about the requirements needed for the certificate. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Education/Training Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree and state-approved teacher preparation program; reading courses; CPR and First Aid training</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Exam Requirements</b> </td><td> MTTC Health content test</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Certificate Renewal Period</b> </td><td> Five years</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Requirements for Renewal</b> </td><td> 150 hours of education-related professional development or education-related master's or higher degree</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Average Salary (2018)</b> </td><td> $66,180 (elementary school); $64,540 (middle school); $62,950 (high school)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026)</b> </td><td> 5.6% (elementary school); 5.8% (middle school); 5.8% (high school)**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives </i></p> <h3 id="section---MeetEducationRequirements">Meet Education Requirements</h3> <p>Prospective health teachers must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Students generally complete the degree with a major in health or health education. The major covers a range of health-related topics, such as personal health, human disease, health psychology nutrition, and community health. </p> <p>As part of the degree program, students must complete a teacher preparation program that has been approved by the Michigan Board of Education. Coursework in this program may include topics such as multicultural education, methods in teaching health, and school health. The teacher preparation program also typically requires students to complete fieldwork as a student teacher in a local Michigan school. </p> <p>All Michigan teachers must also complete coursework on reading methods and instruction. The elementary school certificate requires six credit hours, and the secondary school certificate requires three credit hours. </p> <h3 id="section---BecomeCertifiedInFirstAidCPR">Become Certified in First Aid/CPR</h3> <p>Prospective teachers must take a course that leads to certification in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Examples of courses include those offered by the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. A full list of approved providers is available on the Michigan Department of Education website. </p> <h3 id="section---CompleteExamRequirements">Complete Exam Requirements</h3> <p>The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Health content exam is required to become certified as a health teacher. This is a computer-based exam that contains 100 multiple-choice questions and is offered throughout the year. The exam tests students in four main subareas: basic health concepts, health skills and behaviors, school health education, and professional responsibilities. The score needed to pass this exam is 220. </p> <h3 id="section---SubmitApplication">Submit Application</h3> <p>After all requirements are complete, applicants should use the Michigan Online Educator Certification System to submit their application to the Michigan Department of Education. This includes a complete application, fee, transcripts, test scores, and other supplemental documentation. Once issued, the certification is valid for five years. </p> <h3 id="section---FulfillRenewalRequirements">Fulfill Renewal Requirements</h3> <p>After five years, health teachers can renew their certificate by completing 150 education-related professional learning hours. This can include taking classes, participating in workshops, attending conferences, or mentoring a new teacher. Teachers must receive approval from the Michigan Department of Education before starting a program. Teachers who choose to obtain a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university can use this one time for their renewal in place of the 150 professional learning hours.</p>