Introduction
The Three Cycles of Candidacy
Cycle I: Admission Candidacy
Cycle II: Continuing Candidacy
Cycle II: Exit Candidacy
Application to Teacher Education Fee
Administrator or Teacher Certificate Fee
Conflict Resolution and Appeal Procedure
Policy Regarding Teacher Certification and/or Endorsement for Postbaccalaureate Students
Validity of Provisional Certificate
Requirements for Professional Education Certification
Procedures for Professional Education Certification
Professional Education Certificate Renewal

This policy is under review by the Professional Education Council. For the latest information, students are advised to contact the Center for Student Services, 203 Ronan Hall.

Introduction 
Students seeking to enter the Teacher Education program at Central Michigan University are screened using multiple criteria related to teacher excellence and the CLEAR model for teacher education. The selection criteria assess characteristics appropriate for students pursuing a professional teaching practice that is Content–or knowledge–driven, LEArner-centered and Reflective/ Relevant to the multiple roles and contexts of the professional educator. Once a student is admitted, cognitive and affective skills are both developed and monitored throughout the teacher education experience, which stresses faculty mentoring of all prospective teachers. 

Excellent teachers demonstrate an interest in students, an ability to relate to and communicate with diverse students in varied ways, as well as the ability to motivate and facilitate learning. Teacher candidates at CMU must be learner-centered and able to communicate both in writing and in face-to-face interactions with spontaneity and clarity. The student’s aptitude for, attitudes toward, and interests in teaching, as well as his or her interpersonal skills such as empathy, rapport, and listening are assessed through a structured interview process. 

Academic knowledge is reflected by an overall grade point average that includes a minimum 2.7 grade point average in each teaching major and minor. Additionally, students are required to attain a C+ (2.3) or better in the professional and methods courses and a B in the introductory course. 

Each student will receive professional support from faculty mentors who are available not only to discuss the student’s work and experiences, but also to model the process of forming professional relationships between teachers and students. Students should apply for admission into the Teacher Education program when they have completed at least 60 credit hours of post-secondary course work or immediately upon transferring to CMU.

Graduates of four-year regionally accredited institutions must provide information and transcripts concerning all educational institutions attended to the Center for Student Services at the time of application. 

The steps in the process leading to teacher certification are described below. Students must follow the requirements in the Teacher Education Student Handbook and the requirements of the Michigan Board of Education.
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The Three Cycles of Candidacy 
Cycle I: Admission Candidacy 
Each student who expects to earn either an Elementary Provisional Certificate or a Secondary Provisional Certificate must file an application for entry into teacher education. Application forms and related information are found in the Teacher Education Student Handbook available at the Bovee University Center bookstore. 

Cycle I is a two-part process, acceptance for candidacy status and admission to the teacher education program. Upon completion of all requirements for Cycle I, the student will be placed on a list that is ranked in order by composite scores. Admission to teacher education will occur twice a year, once in September and once in February, and will be based upon the student's composite scores. When enrollment has to be limited in teacher education, rank order scores will be used to determine admission to the program. Therefore, students who have met all requirements for admission may not be admitted if their composite scores are not sufficiently high to be above a cut determined by the Teacher Education Admission Advisory Board. To be accepted for candidacy status, students must successfully complete the following criteria.

1 . 60 Credit Hours: Students must have completed at least 60 credit hours of postsecondary course work. 

2. Majors/Minors: Students must submit signed majors and minors with their application. 

3. Grade Point Average: Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 on all postsecondary course work completed at a regionally accredited college or university. This applies to all students including transfer and postbaccalaureate students. Transfer and postbaccalaureate students must submit transcripts on all prior postsecondary course work to the Center for Student Services in Ronan Hall. 

4. EDU 107: Students must complete EDU 107, Introduction to Teaching, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of B. Students may repeat EDU 107 only once to raise their grade. If students retake this course, the most recent grade will apply for candidacy purposes. 

5. Written Expression: Students must demonstrate competence in written English in two ways: a.) Pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification writing subtest at the passing score set by the Michigan Department of Education, and b.) Complete ENG 10 1, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of B-. 

6. Structured Interview: Students must satisfactorily complete a structured interview. Students must contact the Center for Student Services in Ronan Hall to schedule the structured interview. 

7. Pre-Professional Experience: Students must present verified evidence of having completed at least 90 clock hours working with children or youth. Forty-five of the 90 clock hours must be acquired in a P - 12 school classroom with the age level appropriate to the elementary or secondary certificate being pursued. Up to 20 hours may be attained in EDU 107, Introduction to Teaching. The appropriateness of the experience is determined by the Center for Student Services in Ronan Hall. 

8. Competency Requirements: Students must demonstrate competence in written English, oral English, and mathematics. For candidacy purposes, regarding written English, students must complete ENG 101, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of B-. Details pertaining to these competencies are included in the Competency Requirements subsection of the General Education Requirements section of this Bulletin. 

9. Speech and Hearing Competencies: Students must demonstrate competence in speech and hearing by passing a special speech and hearing screening administered by the Department of Communication Disorders. Details pertaining to this screening are included in the oral English Competency Requirements subsection of the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin. 

10. Basic Skills Tests: Students must attain state-approved passing scores in reading, written English, and mathematics on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification as determined by the Michigan Department of Education. (Passing scores on these tests are mandated for all teacher education candidates seeking teacher certification.) 

11. Mentor Meeting: Students must meet with their faculty mentors at least once to review the candidacy/admission process and ensure that all requirements have been met. Faculty mentors are assigned by the Center for Student Services in Ronan Hall. 

12. Application Fee: Students must pay a $50 application fee at the Student Services Court/Bovee University Center and submit a copy of the receipt to the student services office in Ronan Hall. 

13. Graduates Only: Postbaccalaureate students returning for initial teacher certification must be admitted to the Graduate School and must provide transcripts on all postsecondary course work to the Center for Student Services in Ronan Hall.

Admission to teacher education is the second part of Cycle I. The review of candidates for admission occurs twice a year, once in September and once in February. A composite score is derived from two criteria: The GPA calculated on the most recent 30 semester hours taken at any regionally accredited institution for which a grade was given (the 30 semester hours counted for the GPA may not be split within a semester term or summer session) and the structured interview score. The composite scores will be ranked, and 390 of the top ranking students will be admitted each semester. Therefore, it is possible that students who have met all the Cycle I candidacy requirements still may not be admitted to the program.

Students must be admitted to the teacher education program before being eligible to enroll in professional education courses that have “admission to teacher education” as a prerequisite. Admission to the program is valid for five years from the date of admission to teacher education. Changes mandated by the Michigan Department of Education may become effective at any time in a student’s education program. 

Students must be admitted to the teacher education program before being eligible to enroll in professional education courses that have “admission to teacher education” as a prerequisite. Admission to the program is valid for five years from the date of admission to teacher education. Changes mandated by the Michigan Department of Education may become effective at any time in a student’s education program.
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Cycle II: Continuing Candidacy 
1. A minimum grade of C+ (2.3) must be earned in each professional education course and in each departmental methods course. An individual department may require a higher grade for its departmental methods course(s). 

2. Approval of the student’s major and minor must be obtained from the appropriate departments. This approval will be filed officially in the Registrar’s Office, Warriner 212, and in the Center for Student Services. A minimum 2.7 GPA must be earned in all teaching majors and minors. Departments may set a higher GPA in majors and minors and establish additional criteria for approval of students for student teaching. 

3. Competencies in educational technology and computers must be demonstrated at the Instructional Materials Center in Ronan Hall. This is accomplished in EDU 220-Educational Media or EDU 320-Elementary Mathematics Methods, EDU 330 Reading in the Elementary School, EDU 340-Science and Social Studies in the Elementary School, or computer/technology courses. 

4. The student must complete any professional education courses, major courses, and minor courses that are prerequisites for student teaching. In addition, the student must complete at least 75% of the hours required in both the major and minor(s). For each professional education course completed prior to student teaching, the student must have a C+ or better. 

5. Students who plan to student teach the following semester must apply for a student teaching assignment during the first two weeks of the semester preceding the student teaching assignment. 

6. The student must plan to take and pass appropriate subject area examination(s), preferably before student teaching in case it becomes necessary to retake one or more tests. 

7. A minimum grade point average of 2.7 is required for approval to student teach; 2.7 GPA is required in all teaching majors/minors. 

8. A Cycle II meeting with the student's mentor must be held. A student's professional portfolio will be developed and maintained by the mentor and student. Upon completion of all requirements for Cycle II, the student may be approved by the Professional Education Council for student teaching. 

9. Complete the Midtier Field Experience as required by the student's Major department and/or the Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development.
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Cycle III: Exit Candidacy 
1. The student must complete student teaching successfully. 

2. If the student does not successfully complete student teaching, or at the request of the supervising teacher or the student teaching coordinator, an advising session with the Assistant Director of Professional Education to discuss the student’s progress through the program must be completed. If the Assistant Director of Professional Education is made aware of any student weaknesses or special needs in oral or written communication skills, in mathematics, or in the ability to relate and communicate knowledge to others, the student and Assistant Director of Professional Education will determine an appropriate action plan to be initiated by the student. The plan must be carried out to the Assistant Director of Professional Education's satisfaction before exit candidacy is completed.

3a. To receive an elementary provisional certificate the student must (a) complete exit candidacy, (b) satisfy the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, (c) have an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher, (d) pass appropriate subject area tests and (e) have the appropriate combination of: 1. a teaching major and minor or, 2. three teaching minors. Within the combination, two of the units must be in subject areas that are typically taught in the elementary school. The combinations must be appropriate as stated in the Bulletin. 

3b. To receive a secondary provisional certificate the student must (a) complete exit candidacy, (b) satisfy the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, (c) have an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher, (d) pass appropriate subject area tests, and (e) have a teaching major and minor, or two teaching majors or a teaching major and two teaching minors in subject areas in which the candidate expects to teach. The combinations must be appropriate as stated in the Bulletin.
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Application to Teacher Education Fee 
Education students are required to pay a one time non-refundable Application to Teacher Education Fee. The $50.00 fee is used to help cover the cost of application and certification processing. This fee must be paid at the Student Services Court in the lower level of the Bovee UC. A copy of the receipt must be submitted by the student to the Center for Student Services prior to the date when your application materials are due. For more information about the Application to Teacher Education Fee, please contact the Center for Student Services Office at 774-3309.
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Administrator or Teacher Certificate Fee
Public Act 339 of 1988 requires candidates for a teaching certificate, administrator certificate or school psychologist certificate to sign a certification agreement and to pay a fee within thirty days when billed by the Michigan Department of Education.
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Conflict Resolution and Appeal Procedure
1. A student who has a complaint regarding teacher certification decisions should make known his or her complaint as soon as possible, but in no case later than sixty days after the beginning of the next regular semester. Any exception to the time limitation shall be for unusual and most compelling reasons. At each step of the process, the student will be given the opportunity to present relevant information, and the reasons for the decision will be explained to the student.

2. A student who feels that arbitrary and/or capricious decisions have been made in evaluating admission, or continuing requirements for the teacher education program, or in the recommendation for certification, should seek counsel and advice from his or her professional mentor. The mentor will attempt to resolve the conflict.

3. If the student does not have an assigned mentor or is still not satisfied, he or she may request in writing a consultation with the Director of Professional Education. In case the student’s professional mentor is also the Director of Professional Education, the student’s request in writing should be sent to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Services. In such cases, the dean shall act in place of the director.

4. If the student is not satisfied with the decision(s) of the professional mentor and/or the Director of Professional Education, the student may submit an appeal in writing to the Professional Education Council. The Professional Education Council has the authority to overrule decisions made by the Director of Professional Education regarding admission or continuing requirements for the teacher education program or in the recommendation for certification.

5. A student who desires a change in professional mentor should make the request in writing to the Center for Student Services (203 Ronan). The student may appeal an unfavorable decision to the Professional Education Council.
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Policy Regarding Teacher Certification and/or Endorsement for Postbaccalaureate Students
A postbaccalaureate student is defined as a student with a non-teaching bachelor’s degree from a four-year regionally accredited institution who is seeking teacher certification, a student with a teaching degree who is seeking teacher certification and/or endorsement in an additional area, or a student with a teaching degree who is seeking provisional or continuing certification and/or endorsement in an additional area.

1. Postbaccalaureate students must follow the “Standards Leading to Teacher Certification” as published in the Bulletin and meet Michigan Department of Education requirements listed in the Teacher Education Student Handbook.

2. Postbaccalaureate students must have majors and/or minors signed by a departmental advisor in the department offering the major or minor. Course substitutions may be approved only by the departmental advisor.

3. Postbaccalaureate students must complete all Professional Education courses and other degree/certification requirements for either elementary or secondary students as published in the Bulletin.

4. The Center for Student Services will submit a list of the names of all students applying for student teaching the following semester to each student’s major and minor department for approval or denial.

5. The Center for Student Services will audit the signed major and minor of all students to certify that they have met all the requirements before recommending them for certification.

6. Certification will be recommended for those teaching areas in which CMU presently offers a major or minor.
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Validity of Provisional Certificate
A current Elementary Provisional Certificate is valid for teaching all subjects in grades kindergarten through five, and major and minor fields in grades six through eight (upon completion of the required subject area tests) as specified on the certificate and kindergarten through eight in a self-contained classroom. It is valid for six years and may be renewed for three years, provided the applicant presents ten semester hours of credit in a planned program as approved by the university when earned after the issuance of the initial certificate. A second three-year renewal may be granted provided the applicant presents 18 semester hours of credit in a planned program as approved by the university when earned after the issuance of the initial certificate.

A current Secondary Provisional Certificate is valid in subject matter fields in grades seven through twelve in which the applicant has completed a major(s) or minor(s) as specified on the certificate. It is valid for six years and may be renewed for three years provided that the applicant presents ten semester hours of credit in a planned program as approved by the university when earned after the issuance of the initial certificate. A second three-year renewal may be granted provided the applicant presents 18 semester hours of credit in a planned program as approved by the university when earned after the issuance of the initial certificate.
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Requirements for Professional Education Certification
Professional Education Certificate: The Elementary or Secondary Professional Education Certificate may be issued to a candidate who has met the following requirements:

1. Has taught successfully for three years, according to the validity of his or her provisional certificate.

2. Has presented evidence that he or she has completed 18 semester hours in a planned course of study beyond the issuance date of the initial certificate. This advanced course of study must be applicable to the applicant’s professional development and signed with an advisor. A copy of this program must be on file in the Center for Student Services.

3. Elementary applicants for the Professional Education Certificate must have completed 6 semester hours in the methods of teaching reading, and secondary applicants must have completed 3 semester hours in the methods of teaching reading. (If the required reading credit was completed prior to receiving the Provisional Certificate, it need not be repeated within the required credit for the Professional Education Certificate.)
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Procedures for Professional Education Certification
The Candidate Shall:
1. Submit a planned program of study beyond the bachelor’s degree signed by the advisor and candidate.
A. If the candidate has been admitted to a master’s degree program, he/she may submit a copy of the Authorization of Graduate Degree Program, signed by the advisor, with the application as evidence that the student is pursuing a “planned course of study beyond the bachelor’s degree.”
B. A candidate who is not pursuing a graduate degree or who has initially been granted non-degree status in graduate school, or who is pursuing undergraduate study may obtain approval for a “planned course of study” beyond the bachelor’s degree from an advisor in the appropriate department by contacting the Center for Student Services. The student is expected to have a signed program on file before registering for his or her first graduate course work at Central Michigan University.

2. Obtain an application for a Professional Education Certificate from the Center for Student Services, 203 Ronan Hall, when the last of the requirements are in progress.

3. Fill out the application and return it to the Center for Student Services.

4. Return a copy of the provisional certificate .

5. Send official transcripts directly to the Center for Student Services for any of the 18 hours of credit not earned at Central Michigan University, including an official transcript of the reading requirement when appropriate.

The University Will:
1. Evaluate the qualifications of the candidate to determine whether he or she satisfies requirements for a Professional Education Certificate.

2. Obtain a statement of support or recommendation from an appropriate school official concerning the relevance of this program plan for the professional development of the candidate.

3. Recommend the candidate to the State Department of Education for a Professional Education Certificate if his or her qualifications are found satisfactory
.
4. Record issuance of the Professional Education Certificate on the student’s permanent record when notified by the State Department of Education.
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Professional Education Certificate Renewal
1. A Professional Education Certificate is valid for 5 years and shall be renewed at the end of the 5-year period for an additional 5 years upon the applicant’s completion of 6 semester hours of academic credit from an approved teacher preparation institution, or the submission of evidence of the equivalent in continuing education units completed through professional development programs or professional activities defined and approved by the State Board. Submission is made to the Michigan Department of Education.

2. For persons who do not complete the requirements of subrule (1) of this rule, the certificate expires on June 30 of the year of the certificate’s expiration.

3. To reinstate an expired Professional Education Certificate, a person shall apply to the State Board for a reinstatement and shall present evidence of the completion of the 6 semester hours, or their equivalent, in approved professional development programs or approved professional activities specified in subrule (1) of this rule.

4. Credit completed out of state shall be in an approved teacher education institution and approved by the Michigan State Board of Education prior to enrolling in a course.
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