How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Michigan

Special education teachers can have an incredible impact on student lives. It can be a challenging career but also hugely rewarding as you guide students, support and encourage them, and help them reach new milestones.

There’s a high demand for special education teachers in Michigan, with the U.S. Department of Labor projecting hundreds of job openings every year in preschool through high school. If you’re considering this career path in Michigan, read on to learn more about the process, requirements, and the steps you could take to earn your teaching certification in the Great Lakes State.

Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in Michigan

In many ways, special education teachers in Michigan follow the same basic steps to certification as general education teachers. No matter what grade level you want to teach or what specialization you plan to pursue, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a completed Educator Preparation Program (EPP), passing scores on your certification exams, and a clear background check.

For an overview of the process, check out our How to Become a Teacher in Michigan guide. It covers steps to certification, certificate types in Michigan, information on testing, and more.

What Do You Need to Be a Special Education Teacher in Michigan?

Certified teachers in Michigan need:

• A bachelor’s degree
• A completed EPP
• Passing scores on the appropriate certification exams
• A clear background check

If you’re wondering about timeline, it varies depending on your starting point. Here are two examples:

Candidate A is a high school graduate who knows she wants to be a teacher. She majors in education at a Michigan university, earning her bachelor’s degree. Her timeline is about 4 years.

Candidate B already has a bachelor’s degree in business. She worked in the corporate world for a few years before realizing her true passion is education. She enrolls in Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and earns her teaching certificate in just 9 months.

Note: Because TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state EPP in Michigan, Candidate B would earn her certification in another state and use Michigan’s reciprocity process to transfer the credential (more on that below).

Steps to Becoming a Special Education Teacher in Michigan

There are multiple pathways to earning your certification in Michigan, including traditional undergraduate programs as well as alternative or graduate-level EPPs. You can also choose between an in-state EPP or an out-of-state EPP. If you choose an out-of-state program, you would earn your teaching certification in another state or the District of Columbia and then transfer the credential to Michigan. Below is an example of that process.

Reciprocity via D.C.

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree. This degree does not necessarily have to be in education.
2. Complete an EPP, like Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program.
3. Pass the required certification exams for D.C. For example, if you want to serve students who are deaf or hard of hearing, you might take the Special Education: Hearing Impairments exam for grades preK-12.
4. Submit your fingerprints for a background check and apply for your D.C. teacher credential.
5. Apply to transfer your certificate to Michigan through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).
6. Pass any required Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC). You may qualify for an exemption from these tests, so wait to register until your credential evaluation is complete.
7. Complete any additional requirements. This could include, for example, completing the reading coursework required in Michigan or earning your CPR certification.

This is just one example of a potential path via an out-of-state EPP in Michigan. For more detailed information, visit the Michigan Department of Education website.

In-State Pathway

If you choose an in-state EPP in Michigan, you’ll follow a similar process:

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree.
2. Complete an EPP. Michigan has a list of state-approved programs.
3. Pass the required Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC).
4. Complete a background check.
5. Apply for your certificate through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).

Again, this is one example of a potential path to certification in MI. For more information, visit the state DOE website.

Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You

It’s ultimately a personal choice. Michigan offers multiple pathways to certification to better support aspiring teachers with different backgrounds, goals, and priorities. In general, the reciprocity process tends to be a good fit for teachers who:

• Are certified in another state but are planning to move to Michigan.
• Prefer an EPP that isn’t on Michigan’s in-state list. Maybe that’s an online or accelerated program, for example, or one you could start now instead of having to wait until the beginning of a new semester.

If you’re unsure about which pathway to choose and which EPP is best for you, download The Teacher’s Guide to Finding Your Right-Fit Educator Preparation Program. You’ll learn 10 factors to help you evaluate teacher preparation programs and find the right fit.

Can You Become a Special Education Teacher in Michigan Without a Teaching Degree?

Yes, you can become a special education teacher in Michigan without a teaching degree. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, you can use an alternative certification pathway to get the specialized training you need. Michigan actively encourages career changers with diverse professional backgrounds to enter the classroom and fill critical teaching positions.

To learn more about becoming a teacher, visit our Michigan teacher certification page.

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Earn your teaching certification in as little as 9 months with Moreland University:

• 100% online
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• Monthly start dates
• Small classes
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