Undergraduate Secondary Teacher Education
The secondary teacher education program at the University of Michigan now offers first-year admission in addition to the option to transfer in as a junior (either across campus or from a different college or university). Secondary teacher education candidates may also remain in their home unit (such as the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts) while adding certification to their degree. Secondary teacher education’s three-term program prepares students to teach middle and high school grades with secondary teacher certification through the State of Michigan. Students select an initial (primary) endorsement area and may also choose to (optionally) pursue an additional endorsement to broaden their range of career options. As a prospective secondary teacher, also called a “teaching intern,” you get the opportunity to teach subjects about which you have a deep understanding.
- Current Secondary Certification Endorsements
Students admitted to the secondary teacher education program in the Winter 2026 term or prior are prepared for certification in the following endorsement areas and grade bands:
- Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Economics, English, History, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology and Social Studies, 6–12
- World Languages (see options below), PK–12
- Music, K–12
Students may also (optionally) earn an additional endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL), which encompasses grades PK–12.
- New Secondary Certification Endorsements
Due to certification grade band restructuring implemented by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), students admitted to the secondary teacher education program beginning in the Fall 2026 term will be certified to teach the following endorsement areas in two new grade bands, 5–9 and 7–12:
- English Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Science
- Mathematics
World Language and ESL endorsements will continue to be for grades PK-12. Music endorsements will continue to be for grades K-12. Psychology will continue to be available as both an initial and additional endorsement, and is expected to remain for grades 6-12.
Please note that ESL cannot be pursued as a stand alone endorsement area; it can only be pursued as an additional endorsement, in conjunction with another endorsement area.
- Anticipated Future Changes
The MDE is still in the process of considering offering Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Physics, Economics, History, and Political Science for additional endorsement only. Also, MDE’s timeline for Music to transition from K-12 to PK-12 has yet to be determined.
Please contact our academic advisors at [email protected] for assistance in planning coursework for these future changes.
First-year students interested in secondary teacher education should consider applying for the Teacher Education Preferred Admissions (TEPA) Program.
Education Degree with Teacher Certification
Earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Education along with teacher certification.
Other U-M Degree with Teacher Certification
The program also offers the option to add certification to the degree you are pursuing in another school or college at the University of Michigan.
LSA Degree + Education Degree with Teacher Certification
Another option is to earn degrees in LSA and the Marsal School simultaneously. Students interested in the Multiple Dependent Degree Program (MDDP) can earn two degrees by meeting all requirements for both LSA and Marsal School degrees, along with certification. Admission to both LSA and the Marsal School is required, along with written permission from advisors in both units and a detailed academic plan for completion of all requirements. This MDDP option requires a minimum of 150 credits.
Post-baccalaureate Certification Only
Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree (and do not seek a second bachelor’s degree) may apply as a non-degree applicant to the Marsal Family School of Education to complete the teacher certification requirements. This Post-Baccalaureate/Non-Candidate for Degree Status program is for the undergraduate level only.
Program Policy Regarding Transportation
The secondary teacher education program prioritizes learning about issues of diversity, inclusion, justice, and equity in teaching. We aim for all interns to experience teaching and learning in a variety of school contexts and become effective teachers of students from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, interns are placed in a range of clinical experience placements that require travel as much as 45 miles from the Marsal Family School of Education.
Interns are responsible for their own transportation to and from their placement sites and should keep this expense in mind when calculating their educational expenses. It is expected that interns have independent reliable transportation to ensure their ability to adequately access the schools with whom we partner for clinical experiences.
Want to learn more about the program?
See our upcoming information sessions
Additional certificate and endorsement opportunities
Requirements
Students are generally admitted to the Secondary Teacher Education program in their junior year, having completed at least 54 credits. To graduate, students must meet the following requirements while completing a minimum of 120 credits.
Credits to complete before entering the professional sequence: minimum 54
General studies credits
The State of Michigan requires teacher certification candidates to complete an approved program of general or liberal education. This includes English, literature, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural or physical sciences, and the arts:
- Humanities (12 credits)
- Natural science / Mathematics (12 credits)
- Social science (12 credits)
Students generally have the majority of these general education requirements fulfilled when they are admitted to the program, though there is room in the sequence to finish some general studies courses if needed.
If you are earning a bachelor's degree from another unit: Specific general studies courses are not required for certification-only students. If you meet the distribution requirements of the school where you earned your degree, the Marsal Family School of Education is satisfied.
If you are pursuing an MDDP: These general studies requirements apply to anyone earning a degree from the Marsal Family School of Education, including MDDP students. You will also have to meet the distribution requirements for your other degree.
Endorsement area credits
Students choose one or more endorsement areas; see Endorsement Areas section for specific area requirements.
Note: See Changes coming for Fall 2026 admits
Credits to complete during the professional sequence
Core credits
Students complete the following courses:
- EDUC 391 – Educational Psychology & Human Development (3 credits)
- EDUC 392 – Educational Foundations in a Multicultural Society (3 credits)
- EDUC 402 – Reading and Writing in Content Areas (3 credits; dependent on endorsement area)
- EDUC 445 – Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in the General Education Middle and High School Classroom (1 credit)
- EDUC 446 – Teaching with Digital Technologies 6–12 (3 credits)
- EDUC 4XX – Content Area Methods* (3–5 credits; dependent on endorsement area)
These courses must be completed in a specific sequence.
Teaching credits
Students complete the following courses:
- EDUC 302 – Directed Teaching in the Secondary School (10 credits)
- EDUC 304 – Problems and Principles of Secondary Education (2 credits)
- EDUC 307 – Practicum I (2 credits)
- EDUC 307 – Practicum II (2–3 credits)
Course Sequence
- Semester 1
Winter Course Credit Hours EDUC 307 – Practicum & Seminar 2 credit hours EDUC 391 – Educational Psychology and Human Development 3 credit hours EDUC 392 – Educational Foundations in a Multicultural Society 3 credit hours EDUC 445 – Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in the General Education Middle and High School Classroom 1 credit hour EDUC 446 – Teaching with Digital Technologies 6–12 1 credit hour Additional content courses Semester 1 total: 10 credit hours Fieldwork & Seminar
In addition to coursework, students- spend 10–12 hours (2 mornings) per week in up to three different schools;
- observe and teach parts of lessons in pairs or small groups;
- and meet for 2 hours per week in seminar class to reflect on experiences.
- Semester 2
Fall Course Credit Hours EDUC 307 – Practicum II & Seminar 2–3* credit hours EDUC 402 – Literacy in the Endorsement Area 3 credit hours EDUC 446 – Teaching with Digital Technologies 6–12 1 credit hour EDUC 4XX – Endorsement Area Methods 3–5* credit hours Additional content courses Semester 2 minimum: 9 credit hours Fieldwork & Seminar
In addition to coursework, students- spend 10–15 hours (2 mornings) per week in up to two different schools;
- teach parts of lessons and whole lessons by themselves, in pairs, or in small groups;
- and meet for 2 hours per week in seminar class to reflect on experiences.
Note
* Additional practicum and methods courses required for non-aligned endorsements- Semester 3
Winter Course Credit Hours EDUC 302 – Directed Teaching in the Secondary School 10 credit hours EDUC 304 – Problems and Principles of Secondary Education 2 credit hours EDUC 446 – Teaching with Digital Technologies 6–12 1 credit hour Semester 3 total: 13 credit hours Fieldwork & Seminar
In addition to coursework, students- spend 40–45 hours (5 days) per week in a single school;
- teach sequences (units) of lessons by themselves (or occasionally in pairs);
- and meet for 2 hours per week in seminar class to reflect on experiences.
Endorsement Areas
under construction
ENDORSEMENT AREAS
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| ARABIC 401 or ARABIC 402 | Advanced Arabic I or Advanced Arabic II |
| ARABIC 503 | Classical Arabic Grammar |
| ARABIC 506 | Arabic Phonology and Morphophonology |
| ARABIC 507 | Arabic Syntax and Semantics |
| ANTHRCUL 409 | Peoples and Cultures of the Near East and North Africa |
| EDUC 307 or 650* |
Practicum or Reflective Teaching Field Experience |
| EDUC 419 or 420* |
Teaching Methods for World Language Minors or Teaching World Languages in the Secondary School |
| Literature | Students choose two (6 credits) of the following courses: ARABIC 600, 601, 602, 604. |
| Electives | Electives (if needed) to meet 30-credit minimum. Students choose from the following courses: ARABIC 410, 504, 508, 509 (strongly suggested), 510, 513, 612 (strongly suggested), 613 (strongly suggested); NEAREAST 200, 325, 483; LING 351; or any category above. |
|
* Required for endorsement but doesn't count toward minimum credits or GPA |
|
Note: See Changes coming for Fall 2026 admits
Upcoming Information Sessions
Application Deadlines
Apply early to receive a timely decision! Submitting an early application will give you time to engage with your program, visit campus, and have time to make an informed decision.
Application Process
- Information Needed for the Common Application
- Students who submit an application before they have received a high school diploma will apply as a first-year student, and should submit the required items.
- Review Application Writing Prompts
- Applicants will respond to three writing prompts: two University of Michigan-specific essay questions and a Common Application personal essay.
- Submit Test Scores & Transcripts
- Test scores, including AP or IB exams, can be self-reported on your University of Michigan application portal once you have submitted your application.
- If you choose to submit test scores, please arrange to have your SAT or ACT scores submitted directly from the testing agency to the University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions. (U-M SAT code is 1839; ACT code is 2062.)
- Complete the Common Application for First-Year Students and select teacher education as program of study.
- Visit First-year Application Plans to view your admission options (Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Decision).
Quick Facts
Financial aid
Part-time status
Field placements
In-school placements every semester, plus additional courses that occur in schools
Careers
86%
92%
100%
Hiring organizations and job titles
In-state
| Organization | Job Title | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Canton Preparatory High School | 9th-12th Grade Social Studies Teacher | Canton, MI |
| Detroit International Academy for Young Women | Teacher | Detroit, MI |
| Holland High School | Spanish Teacher | Holland, MI |
| Huron High School | Social Studies Teacher | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Pioneer High School | High School Science Teacher | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Washtenaw International Academy | 7th, 8th, 9th Grade ELA Teacher | Ypsilanti, MI |
Out-of-state
| Organization | Job title | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Caruso Middle School | 6th-8th Grade Spanish Teacher | Deerfield, IL |
| Costa Mesa Middle School | 7th & 8th Grade Special Education | Costa Mesa, CA |
| Discovery Outdoor Education Program | 2nd-12th Grade Outdoor Educator | Navasota, TX |
| Mendham Township Middle School | 5th-8th Grades Choir Director | Mendham, NJ |
| Somerville High School | 10th Grade College Prep & Honors English Teacher | Somerville, MA |
Field Experience
Classroom Experience
Having a real-world experience within the settings of your chosen profession is an essential part of your educational preparation. In the first two terms, you will spend 6–8 hours per week in classrooms as a teaching intern. You will observe the classroom in action and collect data on student learning and teaching practice. You will contribute to the classroom instruction by tutoring, co-teaching, and planning with mentor teachers and your university partners.
The culminating field experience is the student teaching term of 14–15 weeks. You will spend 5 days per week for the full school day immersed in the classroom. You will slowly and deliberately take on all aspects of instructional responsibility for your students in grades 7–12, building toward lead teaching.
School Partnerships
Substantial field experience in a diverse array of classrooms, urban to rural, is a key component of the program. You will have one field placement in a school in Ann Arbor and at least one placement in a neighboring district.