Kindergarten Teachers in Michigan: Certification & Requirements

<table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Training Required </td><td> Bachelor's degree and state-approved teacher preparation program; 6 credits reading coursework; CPR and First Aid training</td></tr> <tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> MTTC Elementary Education content exam</td></tr> <tr><td> Certificate Renewal Period </td><td> Five years</td></tr> <tr><td> Requirements for Renewal </td><td> 150 hours of education-related professional development or education-related master's or higher degree</td></tr> <tr><td> Average Salary (2018) </td><td> $59,140*</td></tr> <tr><td> Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 8.6%**</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---ObtainRequiredEducation">Obtain Required Education</h3><p>All prospective kindergarten teachers need at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university to become certified. Students typically major in elementary education, which includes coursework in general studies, such as humanities, science, and creative arts. They must also complete a Michigan Board of Education approved educator preparation program as part of their bachelor's degree. This program may contain additional coursework on teaching methods in elementary school subjects, as well as professional workshops in education and a clinical practicum. The clinical practicum places students in a local elementary school, where they can develop their skills as a student teacher. </p><p>As part of the education requirement, prospective kindergarten teachers must complete six credit hours of coursework in the instruction of reading. Students should confirm with their individual program on which courses meet this requirement. </p><h3 id="section---PassRequiredExam">Pass Required Exam</h3><p>The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Elementary Education content test is required to become a Michigan kindergarten teacher. This is a computer-based exam that has 150 multiple-choice questions, and the minimum score needed to pass is 220. It covers six main subareas that are generally taught by teachers at this level: English language arts and world languages, social studies, visual and performing arts, mathematics, science, and health education and physical education. </p><h3 id="section---BecomeCertifiedInCPRAndFirstAid">Become Certified in CPR and First Aid</h3><p>Prospective kindergarten teachers, like all Michigan teachers, must obtain certification in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This can be completed through courses offered from approved providers such as the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. Prospective teachers can find a full list of providers on the Michigan Department of Education website. </p><h3 id="section---SubmitApplication">Submit Application</h3><p>Once all requirements have been met, applicants can submit their information online through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System. The application process includes a completed application form, application fee, and supporting documents verifying that all requirements are complete. Once accepted and issued, the elementary certificate is valid for five years. </p><h3 id="section---CompleteRenewalRequirements">Complete Renewal Requirements</h3><p>The elementary teaching certificate can be renewed every five years by submitting an application and fee. Teachers must first complete 150 education-related professional learning hours before renewing their license. These hours can be fulfilled by completing additional college courses, mentoring teachers, participating in conferences, and attending workshops. The Michigan Department of Education must approve all programs that will be used to complete these hours. Teachers who receive a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university can renew the certification one time using this degree instead of completing 150 hours.</p>