Teacher Education Preferred Admission (TEPA), is a pathway for first-year admitted students at the University of Michigan to receive guaranteed admission to the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program of their choice in their Junior year.
TEPA allows first-year students to build community with like-minded individuals and have early access to Marsal Education resources such as academic advising, career services, and faculty connections. In recognition of their dedication to Education, TEPA students will have access to scholarship funds their first and second year as LSA students, contingent upon meeting TEPA requirements each semester.
Connect with us
Additional questions? Submit your questions via our inquiry form, schedule an appointment with an academic advisor or recruiter, or reach out to us directly at [email protected] or (734) 615-1528.
How to join
- High School Students
Step 1: Apply to UM
See the video below for visual step-by-step instructions
- In the Academics section of the Common App, select:
- U-M College or School to which you are applying: College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) or the Residential College (RC)
- Preferred Admission: Marsal Family School of Education Pre-teaching Pathway
Step 2: Welcome to TEPA
- If admitted to the University, you’ll receive an email in the summer welcoming you to TEPA with an invitation to TEPA Orientation in the fall (September).
- If you didn’t select “preferred admission” on your application but would still like to be a member of TEPA, please email [email protected] to indicate your interest.
Step 3: Attend TEPA Orientation
- Learn about program requirements, scholarships, and opportunities.
- Meet your TEPA community.
Step 4: Sign TEPA Agreement Form
- At TEPA Orientation, you will sign a TEPA Agreement Form which:
- confirms you as an official member of TEPA
- verifies you understand the criteria for preferred admission
- Is the first step toward earning your scholarship
- Current U-M Students
Step 1: Meet us
- Schedule a meeting with Marsal School recruiters to learn more about TEPA.
Step 2: Sign TEPA Agreement Form
- After speaking with you, we will ask you to sign a TEPA Agreement Form which:
- confirms you as an official member of TEPA
- verifies you understand the criteria for preferred admission
- Is the first step toward earning your scholarship
- Current U-M students can join TEPA until the add/drop date of the Winter Semester of their Freshman year
- Transfer Students & Other Prospective Students
Step 1: Meet us.
- Schedule a meeting with Marsal School recruiters to learn more about TEPA.
Requirements
Completing these requirements in your first three semesters results in guaranteed admission to a Marsal Education Teacher Certification Program:
- Complete 54 credit hours outside of Marsal Education before transferring to a teacher certificate program
- Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA overall before junior year
- Meet with a Marsal academic advisor at least once a semester
- Attend at least one TEPA event each semester
- Sign the TEPA Agreement Form
- During your first year, complete one of the following Introductory Education courses:
- Highly Recommended: During your second year, complete one of the following Intergroup Relations courses:
Note: These requirements apply to the incoming Fall 2024 TEPA cohort and are subject to change for future students.
Funding
TEPA Scholarships are available to students in their first two years through the Teach Blue Commitment, a new Marsal Education initiative designed to encourage students to pursue a career in education. If students meet TEPA requirements each semester, they will receive a $1,000 scholarship the following semester. Students entering the professional program for their junior and senior years may continue to receive generous funding from Marsal Education (based on need) and may also be eligible for State funding: Michigan Future Educator funding.
1st Year | 2nd Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Winter | Fall | Winter |
| $0 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Where can TEPA take you
TEPA students are able to gain a lot of knowledge about the field of teaching through courses they take before beginning the certification program and through being a member of the SOE community. Once they begin certification coursework, TEPA students have developed a unique kind of insight that they carry into the classroom and their vision for their future career.
FAQ
- Why join TEPA?
TEPA students have access to Marsal School academic advisors, volunteer opportunities to work with young people, and guaranteed admission into our junior-level program.
- Who can join TEPA?
First-year U-M students can express their interest in education and join TEPA anytime before the add-drop date of the winter semester. Interested applicants should follow the steps in How to Join TEPA.
- Do I have to apply to TEPA?
The TEPA program does not require an application; applicants meet with a Marsal School recruiter or attend a TEPA event, and then sign an agreement form that confirms their TEPA membership.
- What are the requirements of TEPA?
See TEPA Requirements.
- Will joining TEPA affect my status at my current U-M college or school?
No, joining TEPA does not affect your status with your current college or school.
- If I join TEPA, am I obligated to transfer to the Marsal School?
No, participants have no obligation to transfer to the Marsal School, and participants who no longer wish to pursue education are free to leave the TEPA program at any time. Participants who would like to stop receiving communications about TEPA should email [email protected] and request to be removed from the TEPA mailing list.
- I am interested in a dual degree (Multiple Dependent Degree Program) with the Marsal School and another U-M college or school. Can I still join TEPA?
Yes, Marsal School academic advisors are available to help TEPA participants with the MDDP process.
- I only want a teaching certificate and do not plan on transferring to the Marsal School. Can I still join TEPA?
Yes, completing the TEPA program guarantees admission to our certificate-only programs. Marsal School academic advisors are also available to help TEPA participants with the certificate-only process.
- I am not a first-year/first-semester Michigan student. Can I join TEPA?
Only students who are in their first year at Michigan can join TEPA. Students have until the add/drop date of the winter semester to join TEPA. However, TEPA-ineligible applicants may still apply to the Marsal School through the cross-campus transfer application. Marsal School academic advisors are available to answer questions about and offer guidance through the application process.
- I don’t qualify for TEPA. Can I still apply to the Marsal School?
Yes! TEPA-ineligible applicants may still apply to the Marsal School through the cross-campus transfer application. See Admissions for more details on applying, or contact us for guidance through the application process.
- Are their scholarship opportunities for TEPA students?
Marsal Education offers a 4-year commitment to eligible undergraduate students pursuing teacher education to make their Michigan degree affordable through our Teach Blue Commitment. Please see above under “funding” for additional information.