Certifications

Elementary Certification

Albion offers programs leading to Michigan teacher certification at the elementary level (grades PK-3 only, or grades PK-3 and 3-6 combined). Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) as candidates for elementary certification must:

  • Complete any Albion College major, along with the Elementary Education Concentration
    • The Elementary Education Concentration includes a sequence of pedagogy courses and clinical experience
  • Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department.

Students interested in an elementary concentration should consult the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog and directly with the Education Department (224 Olin Hall).

Secondary Certification

Albion offers programs leading to Michigan teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 7-12 only, or grades 5-9 and 7-12 combined) in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, and for grades 6-12 in Psychology. Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) as candidates for secondary certification must:

  • Complete an Albion College major in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies or Psychology, along with the Secondary Education Concentration
    • The Secondary Education Concentration includes a sequence of pedagogy courses and clinical experiences
  • Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department

PK-12 Certification

Albion offers programs leading to Michigan teacher certification at the all-grades level (grades PreKindergarten-12th) in Spanish, French, German, and Music. Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP as candidates for PK-12 certification must:

  • Complete an Albion College major in Spanish, French, German or Music, along with the PK-12 Education Concentration
    • The PK-12 Education Concentration includes a sequence of pedagogy courses and clinical experiences
  • Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department

Pedagogy course(s) note: Music students take pedagogy courses in the Music Department. Students should consult with their Education Department adviser to ensure they are taking the correct pedagogy courses.

English as a Second Language PK-12 Endorsement

Albion offers a program leading to an additional teaching endorsement in English as a Second Language at the all-grades level (grades PreKindergarten-12). This endorsement can be added to any Elementary, Secondary or PK-12 teaching certification. Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP as candidates for PK-12 ESL certification must:

  • Complete an Albion College minor in Teaching English as a Second Language, along with the Education Concentration required for their initial certification.
  • Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department

Secondary/PK-12 Certification Program

YearFallSpringSummer
First YearPsyc 101* (1)
SophomoreEduc 202* (1)
Psyc 251* (1)
Educ 203* (1)
JuniorEduc 338/9, 348/9*****,
358/9** (1)
Educ 396***
or Educ 397*** (1)
SeniorEduc 371**** (1)
Educ 373* (1)
Educ 422 or 423* (3)
Educ 432* (1)

* May be taken either fall or spring semester.
** Discuss appropriate course(s) with Education Department adviser. Music students take pedagogy course work offered through the Music Department.
*** Education 396 required for K-12 certification; Education 397 required for secondary certification. Course meets intermittently during the spring semester and intensively during three weeks in May, requires residence on campus, and is part of spring registration.
**** K-12 certification requires Education 371 in addition to Education 373 for French, German and Spanish majors. Course offered fall semester only.
*****History and political science major and minor require Education 349.

Course descriptions and prerequisites are listed under the respective departments. Numbers in parentheses indicate units of credit awarded. Students apply for formal acceptance and admission into the teacher education program during their sophomore year, after completing Education 202. If a student desires to do off-campus study, the ideal semester to do so is the fall of the junior year.