Master of Arts with Certification (MAC): Elementary

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Update: Although the initial December 1 deadline has passed, the Elementary MAC program has rolling admissions and is still accepting applications for the program that begins in June 2008. We encourage you to submit your materials as soon as possible. Please contact Cathy Reischl creischl@umich.edu or (734) 936-0872 for more information. To apply: http://www.soe.umich.edu/macelementary/admissions/

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How do we learn to pay attention to kids and content in ways that help us create lively, meaningful instruction? How do we do care for and teach children who face social, economic, and linguistic challenges? How do teachers work together to create change in schools? Elementary Master of Arts with Certification (ELMAC) students, cooperating teachers, and faculty puzzle through these questions and more in academic courses and year-long teaching internships in elementary and middle schools.

 Are you ready to make a career shift into teaching? Join us and immerse yourself in a year filled with curious children, engaging colleagues, and thoughtful, intellectually challenging approaches to teaching and learning.

Master of Arts with Certification (MAC): Elementary - Overview

As an Elementary Master of Arts with Certification intern, you will be part of an intensive, full-time program that begins in late June and finishes in mid-June the following year.

You will develop the professional and personal knowledge, dispositions, and skills to be a teacher who can engage diverse groups of children in thoughtful subject matter learning. Through academic courses and supported K-8 classroom experiences, you will develop the reflective tools you need to think deeply about and improve your teaching practices, to learn in the company of colleagues, and to work toward the improvement of education of all children.

The Elementary Master of Arts with Certification Program prepares you for teacher certification in:

With successful completion of the program, you will earn both Michigan teacher certification and a Master of Arts in Education degree. “Successful completion” means candidates have satisfied requirements in each of the following areas (Links will open up in a new window. Close the window to return to this page.):

If you're interested in applying to the Elementary Master of Arts with Certification Program, you are encouraged to submit an application for course work evaluation and transcripts as soon as possible. See the Admissions Information for more details.

This degree specialization is housed within the Educational Studies program, which fosters links among students and faculty in a number of specializations sharing a commitment to the integration of theory and research on teaching, learning, and educational access in P-12 settings.

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About Our MAC Program

“Making the transition from corporation to classroom is no small challenge. The School of Education’s innovative Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) program expedites the process.”

Tony Moskus always knew he wanted to be a teacher. Even as a kid back in elementary school, he’d find himself thinking, “if I were teaching this class …”

But teaching jobs were scarce when he went to college, so he steered toward his second goal, which was to work his way up the ranks of a large corporation. As a business analyst for Electronic Data Systems, he did exactly that, earning steady promotions on the track to upper level management.

But something was missing. “If I’m going to work this hard,” he decided, “it has to mean more than making money for a big company.”

Making the transition from corporation to classroom is no small challenge. The School of Education’s innovative Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) program expedites the process. The MAC program concentrates field placement and coursework into one intensive 12-month experience. Education certification students enjoy their classes

Launched in 1991, the MAC program was at first geared to recent graduates and career changers seeking to teach at the secondary level. Based on its success, the program was expanded to include elementary level certification a few years later. Both Secondary MAC and Elementary MAC run from late June through the following June. “Amazingly intense, wall-to-wall learning,” is how Moskus describes the experience. “It really prepares you for what you will face in the classroom.”

Charles W. Peters, Clinical Professor and Secondary MAC Coordinator, receives 120 to 150 applications each year, split about equally between recent graduates and second career people. The latter group covers a wide range, from physicians to attorneys to engineers.

“The five things we look at are commitment and passion for teaching; undergraduate grades; GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores; recommendations; and life experience,” he reports.

To meet state requirements, secondary teachers must have two majors, or a major plus a minor, within two of five areas: social studies, English, foreign language, mathematics, and science. Many applicants take a year or two fulfilling pre-requisites before they are admitted to the program, often taking advantage of the increasingly available on-line course options. Peters and Pat Kenney, Secondary MAC Assistant Coordinator, spend considerable time counseling applicants about ways to channel their experience and interests into future teaching opportunities.

“For example, someone with an engineering degree may have enough credits to fulfill a physics major and math minor, and is well positioned to teach high school science. But we also encounter the person with a PhD in theology who could qualify as a Latin teacher, yet wants to teach math. The second person will need additional math courses in addition to our theory and practice content.” Peters and Kenney try to monitor where the needs are, not only in Michigan but also across the country. MAC graduates find jobs. “We get highly dedicated, enthusiastic students,” Peters says. “It is exciting to work with the kinds of people who are attracted to this program.”

“As he began taking courses, it looked like a very long road to earning a second bachelor’s degree in education. Then he discovered the MAC program, and his teaching goal moved immediately within reach.”

Each MAC program accepts approximately 50 students each year; these are split into cohorts of 25 students who take most of their classes together. This structure promotes a unique sense of community that both faculty and students cite as a key strength of the program. “We’re just like a family,” says Rhonda Jordan, Elementary MAC ’05. “Each of us brings our unique personalities and experiences to our cohort, which makes learning within our cohort rich and colorful.”

“Your absolute best support group is your family and friends, but next to that is your cohort. They take the same classes, work in the same schools, and share the same heavy workload,” says Professor Stu Rankin, Elementary MAC (or ELMAC) Coordinator.

The cohorts are organized to include students of a wide variety of ages, backgrounds and interests. Similarly, the field placements are chosen to expose MAC participants to youth of various racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, with emphasis on some of the poorer school districts. Rankin, who coordinates the Elementary MAC cohort assigned to Detroit schools, explains the rationale: “You often hear educators saying, ‘We believe all children can learn.’ But they do not necessarily believe they themselves can teach all children. We want our graduates to be convinced that they can teach anyone who comes to them. And we think the best way to believe that you can teach anybody is to actually have done it!”

Steve Kotre, Secondary MAC ’03, was attracted to this philosophy, because it seemed to him that low-income urban school settings offered him the greatest opportunity to make a difference. He had experienced this one-on-one as a mentor in the county-sponsored Big Brother program.

Kotre drifted into engineering because math came easily to him. Since graduating from Michigan in 1989, he had worked at Ford Motor Co., most recently as part of the team designing Ford’s new hybrid electrical vehicle.

But if Tony Moskus had come to a career crossroads, his friend Steve had reached an impasse. “The positive aspects of working on this new technology were far outweighed by the frustration of dealing with a bureaucracy,” he stated.

“We get highly dedicated, enthusiastic students, it is exciting to work with the kinds of people who are attracted to this program.”

Kotre’s revelation moment came during a family vacation. He found himself especially enjoying the company of his friends’ young children, and they responded to him easily. “It finally dawned on me how natural it felt to be engaging with kids,” he noticed. “Why wasn’t I doing something to influence children or shape their futures? I was certain this had to happen.”

As he began taking courses, it looked like a very long road to earning a second bachelor’s degree in education. Then he discovered the MAC program, and his teaching goal moved immediately within reach.

“I chose elementary level because I wanted as much exposure as possible to a targeted group of kids,” Kotre concludes. “I think that’s where I can have the most impact.”

Having significant experience with young children is essential to being accepted in ELMAC, says Clinical Assistant Professor Cathy Reischl, who co-coordinates the program.

“We start with the assumption that all children can learn, and it’s the teacher’s responsibility to make this happen” Reischl explains. “It’s the job of the teacher to establish the conditions that ensure growth.

“We look for applicants who understand cultural differences, and want to engage children deeply in subject matter. They should show an interest in social issues, including the role that school plays in our society.”

Over the past year, Reischl has been working with Diane Larsen-Freeman, Professor of Education and Director of the English Language Institute. Through their efforts, the Elementary MAC program now offers an ESL (English as a Second Language) endorsement. Roughly half of ELMAC students earn the extra 18 credits to qualify as ESL teachers in the increasing number of school districts with multi-lingual children.

“I believe our emphasis on under-served populations is a big part of what distinguishes us among other teacher certification programs,” Reischl says. “When interns are learning to teach in settings that include multi-lingual students, they pay more attention to one of their primary tools, which is language. Therefore, they teach all kids more effectively.

The MAC coordinators also credit the contribution of the cooperating teachers, many of whom take on a U-M intern year after year. “They are tireless mentors. The MAC students are deeply involved in the classroom – not just observing, but co-planning and co-teaching,” Reischl notes.

Despite its intensity, the Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) program has practically no drop-outs. One reason is that the participants have already sacrificed a year’s income in addition to tuition costs. But while MAC graduates have an excellent placement record, the payoff is not instant. As a fifth grade teacher, Tony Moskus brings home less than half what he earned at EDS, and he and his wife now have three sons to support.MAC 2005 Oscar Thomas and Joel Thomas work with another non-MAC student in a methods course

Yet he would recommend the MAC program to anyone. “Be ready to work harder than you have ever worked in your life,” he advises. “The faculty is outstanding, and the structure and content of the work specifically prepares you for what life will be like as a teacher. I was offered the job three days before it started, but I was able to draw upon everything I’d learned in the MAC program and put it straight to work.”

Moskus believes that his preparation for becoming a teacher has also made him a better parent. “I can hear Cathy Reischl’s voice in my head: ‘It’s a way of teaching children to think, so that they solve problems on their own, with your guidance.’ I’m not sure I’d have come to this realization on my own.”

Reischl reflects, “it is incredibly rewarding to be part of such significant growth in the lives of adults, knowing that many have changed their lives to pursue a dream; knowing that they will impact the lives of a generation of children.”

“It is a privilege to work with such enthusiastic, dedicated people,” adds Peters. “These are the educational leaders of tomorrow.”

-by Pat Materka

This article originally appeared Winter 2006 edition of Innovator.

About the MAC Experience

“Especially second semester, says Andrea Zellner, Secondary MAC ’02, “when you spend every day in the classroom, and every evening taking a class, grading papers, or writing your own.”Andrea Zellner: this education program is intense

The intensity is part of the appeal, she adds. U-M is the only school in Michigan and one of very few in the country that offers a Master’s Degree with certification within one year. Conventional graduate programs take at least twice as long. Factoring in the additional cost of lost income also makes them far more expensive.

Paying out-of-state tuition was not an option for Zellner, who worked for a non-profit before deciding to enter teaching. But after making comparisons, she believes the U-M Master of Arts with Certification is on a par with Stanford and Harvard.

“Coincidentally, my cousin completed Harvard’s MAC program around the same time, and I found we had much the same readings and coursework. In fact, some aspects of Michigan’s program were superior, like its emphasis on best practice, and evaluating research. MAC prepared me to be a critical consumer of research; to evaluate data before rushing to adopt new instructional strategies,” Zellner said.

Rachel teBrake: the boot camp of certification programs“For me, one of the most valuable aspects was being in the classroom for an entire year,” notes Rachel teBrake, MAC ’04, a former automotive engineer. “And this is unusual; most programs give you six weeks of student teaching experience. Working with my mentor teacher from the very beginning of September gave me a much broader perspective of classroom management.

“MAC sees student contact as the primary focus and weaves the pedagogy around that,” she continues. “You’re not just getting book knowledge. When I applied for jobs, interviewers were very impressed that I’d had a full year of hands-on experience.” Another of the program’s major strong points, both women agree, is its built-in support system. The Secondary MAC program and the Elementary MAC program divide students into 25-member cohorts who take all of their classes together.

“From the first meeting, there is an emphasis on camaraderie and team building,” teBrake recalls. “This is the boot camp of certification programs, and your cohort really helps you get through it.”Education Ropes Course

Zellner, who now teaches 11th grade English and tutors in a learning disabilities clinic, says the cohort system was an opportunity to learn to depend on other people. “I’m sort of independent,” she observes, “and it was good to be part of a community. It taught me how to create a community within my own classroom.”

Returning to the intensity topic, teBrake says MAC’s demanding pace honed her time management skills. “It is really true that if you make it through the MAC program, your first year of teaching will seem easy by comparison.”

Now a high school civics and science teacher, she reflects the views of many of her peers when she says, “I liked my job before but it was wearing me out. Teaching gives me a sense of purpose. It’s hard work and sometimes exhausting, but you’re doing it for a reason. You’re doing it for the kids.”

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2006 edition of Innovator.

Master of Arts with Certification (MAC): Elementary - Subject Matter Preparation

The State of Michigan requires that all teacher certification candidates have either a certification major and minor or two certification majors in order to be recommended for teacher certification.

Candidates in the Elementary Master of Arts with Certification Program can choose from the following certification majors and minors:

Academic Majors Academic Minors
Language Arts Fine Arts
Mathematics Language Arts
Integrated Science Mathematics
Social Studies Integrated Science
  Social Studies

Due to the intensive nature of the Elementary MAC Program, candidates are expected to have all of the coursework necessary for the required certification major(s) and minor completed prior to beginning the Elementary MAC Program.

The only exception is for those planning to major or minor in Language Arts. Students seeking certification in Language Arts will have the opportunity to complete up to 9 credits of related coursework as part of the program requirements.

A coursework evaluation must be done using transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution attended (including community colleges) to help determine what certification major and minor will be most appropriate for you. An Application for a Coursework Evaluation should be submitted as early as possible.  There is no cost for this evaluation.

Coursework Evaluation form (120 Kb Adobe PDF) This link opens up in a new window

Master of Arts with Certification (MAC): Elementary - Professional & Pedagogical Preparation

Adobe PDFPrinter Friendly Version (101 KB Acrobat PDF)

Two unique aspects of ELMAC shape the program:

Cohorts– You will be a member of a 20-25 person Elementary MAC cohort for the 12 month program. This will provide you with the opportunity to learn in the company of other interns who are working in similar contexts and develop a network of colleagues who bring multiple perspectives to the field of education. You will examine the tensions between the theories and practices learned in your courses and the realities of everyday life in classrooms in your regular interactions with faculty, experienced teachers, and Elementary MAC cohort colleagues.  Elementary MAC interns typically span an age range from 22 to 55 and have a broad range of work and life experiences.  Many interns are parents; all have had significant experiences with children. (Click here for links to ELMAC alumni profiles.)

Full-year Internship in an elementary or middle school classroom–You will choose a grade level and placement in one of four Elementary MAC school districts, Wayne-Westland, Plymouth/Canton, Detroit, or Ann Arbor .  You will work in a school where three to six other Elementary MAC interns are also teaching 1st – 8th grade students. Elementary MAC interns teach children in elementary and middle schools with urban and/or working-class characteristics and develop the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of children from a range of social, cultural, economic, and linguistic backgrounds.

By assisting your cooperating teacher to set up the classroom before school starts in the fall, you will begin to get to know each other and plan for the year.  You’ll continue to work with the same 1st-8th grade students and cooperating teacher throughout the school year. Your work will also be supported by a field instructor from the university. Your field instructor will regularly co-plan with you, observe your teaching, conduct seminar sessions with you and fellow interns, and assist you to become a skillful professional.

 All Elementary MAC interns take the courses listed below.

EDUC 401 (3 credits)
Developmental Reading and Writing Instruction in the Elementary School
EDUC 604 (3 credits)
The School Curriculum
EDUC 403 (3 credits)
Individualizing Reading and Writing Instruction in Elementary Classrooms
EDUC 649 (3 credits)
Foundational Perspectives on Educational Reform
EDUC 431 (3 credits)
Teaching of Social Studies in the Elementary School
EDUC 650 (12 credits)
Reflective Teaching Experience
EDUC 510 (3 credits)
Teaching and Learning
EDUC 695 (3 credits)
Research and Educational Practice
EDUC 518 (3 credits)
Workshop on Teaching Mathematics
Two cognate courses (3 credits each)
For most students, the summer cognate course is MATH 485: Mathematics for Elementary  School Teachers.  Other cognate topics include: Children’s Literature, Educational Technology, Educational Linguistics and Social Work for Educators.
EDUC 528 (3 credits)
Workshop on the Teaching of Science
 

The Year at a Glance:

The Elementary MAC Program is designed to be completed in 4 terms, over 12 months. All Elementary MAC interns attend full-time.  A few highlights of the year:

Last week of June – Orientation for all Elementary MAC interns.

July and August – Elementary MAC students take three university courses and participate in site visits and teaching in a summer elementary school program.

Late August – Interns meet with their assigned cooperating teachers and assist them with preparations for the school year. 

September thru December – Interns work several days a week in their placement classrooms,  attend seminar, and complete  three university  courses, including one of their cognates.

January – Interns spend the month on campus, focusing on university coursework.

February and March – Interns return to their internship classrooms, working three mornings and two full-days each week, while finishing winter term university coursework.

April – Interns “lead teach.” Working closely with their cooperating teachers, Elementary MAC interns take the lead in planning and teaching all subject matter areas for 3-4 weeks.

May and June – Interns teach in their school classrooms five half-days each week and take two more courses to complete their program.  Interns who are taking the ESL Endorsement courses move to teach with an ESL teacher for the spring term.

 PLEASE NOTE: The Elementary MAC Program schedule varies from the UM calendar to accommodate school district calendars and program needs.

Licensure in Michigan

In addition to the requirements of our program, the State of Michigan has requirements with which any teacher candidate must comply in order to receive teacher certification. These requirements are applicable to all of the teacher certification programs within the state.

CPR and First Aid

Michigan Public Act 18 of 2003 requires all teacher candidates to be certified in CPR (Child and Adult) and First Aid prior to being recommended for teacher certification.   The legislation stipulates that this training must be completed through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association .

NOTE: Because the CPR certification is valid only for one year, the program recommends that teacher candidates complete this training during their student teaching, or final, term in the program (whichever is later).

In order to help our teacher candidates meet this certification requirement, the School of Education has partnered with the Washtenaw County chapter of the American Red Cross to offer this certification course to School of Education students during fall and winter semesters.   Information about course dates and times will be distributed to teacher candidates at the beginning of their student teaching term.   Teacher candidates also have the option of contacting the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association directly to arrange to take a CPR/First Aid course.

Teacher candidates must send copies of the front and back of their CPR/First Aid cards to the Teacher Education Office (Room 1228) in the School of Education, to the attention of the academic advisors.   Cards should include both the instructor and student signature.  

Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting

Michigan's "School Safety" legislation (2005) requires that all potential employees of public schools in the State of Michigan be fingerprinted and subjected to a criminal background check prior to hire. A teacher candidate can be denied initial certification, or certification can be delayed, if his or her background reveals a felony or certain enumerated misdemeanor convictions.

All newly admitted teacher candidates must provide proof that a State of Michigan and FBI criminal background check (via LIVESCAN fingerprinting) has been conducted. The results of the criminal background check must be submitted to the program according to current policy.   This must be done before any field placement in a K-12 setting can occur.  

Additionally, two signed criminal affidavits are required: 1) prior to student teaching, and 2) prior to recommendation for certification to the State of Michigan.

It is likely that school districts in which teacher candidates are placed for practicum and/or student teaching may ask for fingerprint results before agreeing to host the teacher candidate.

Teacher candidates are expected to report any criminal convictions that occur during their tenure in our teacher education program to their program coordinator as soon as they occur.

Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC)

The MTTC Basic Skills and Subject Area tests are designed and implemented by the Michigan Department of Education, and are meant to ensure that each certified teacher has the necessary basic skills and subject area knowledge to serve in Michigan schools.

Basic Skills Test:

Candidates in our teacher education programs must take and pass all three sections (Reading, Math, and Writing) of the Basic Skills test prior to being eligible to student teach.  

Subject Area Tests:

The Subject Area tests should not be taken before the teacher candidate's final year in the program.  

Elementary candidates: Before being recommended to the State for teacher certification, elementary teacher candidates must take and pass the MTTC test in Elementary Education. Additionally, elementary teacher candidates who wish to teach in subject-specific classrooms in grades 6-8, must take and pass MTTC tests in their teaching major and minor. The program strongly encourages elementary teacher candidates to take and pass the appropriate subject-area tests.   So, as an elementary teacher candidate, you can expect to take 2-4 MTTC tests while in our program.

Secondary and K-12 candidates: Before being recommended to the State for teacher certification, secondary teacher candidates must take and pass the subject area tests in their teaching major(s) and minor(s).   As a secondary teacher candidate, you can expect to take at least three MTTC tests while in our program.

Test Registration Information:

MTTC tests are offered four times each year: in January, April, July, and October.   MTTC registration information, as well as test objectives and study guides for each subject-area test, are available online at: http://www.mttc.nesinc.com This link opens in a new window

Please visit http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5234_5683_5857-116214--,00.html#MTTCTestReg for MTTC Frequently Asked QuestionsThis link opens in a new window

Master of Arts with Certification (MAC): Elementary - Admissions Information

Here are the steps for completing an application to the Elementary Master of Arts with Certification Program.   ( Links will open up in a new window.   Close the new window to return to this page.)

1. Fill out a Rackham program inquiry form This link opens in a new window.   We will contact you to inform you of the latest recruiting events and admissions updates.  

2. Submit an Elementary MAC Application for a Coursework Evaluation This link opens in a new window (Adobe PDF).

Please submit the Application for a Coursework Evaluation along with one official transcript from each of your undergraduate and graduate institutions (including community colleges)  prior to submitting other application materials.  Your transcripts will be evaluated to be sure that you have met all general education and teaching major and minor course prerequisites.  There is no charge for this evaluation. Note that the process may take 3-4 weeks to complete.

Applicants with coursework and/or degrees from non-U.S. colleges or universities must have their transcripts evaluated by an international credit evaluation center. Coursework evaluations cannot be completed until evaluated transcripts are submitted to the Office of Student Services. Click here to view a list of centers we accept This link opens in a new window.

3. Submit all other documents listed on the Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) Application Checklist (Adobe PDF).

4. For the latest application deadline, please see our deadlines page.

5. Do you have any questions not addressed above? If so, view the School of Education Frequently Asked Questions This link opens in a new window page or contact the Elementary MAC Program This link opens in a new window.

If you are interested in other School of Education programs, return to the "Academic Programs" page by clicking on the tab above or by clicking here .

Master of Arts with Certification (MAC): Elementary - People

If you have a general question about the Elementary Master of Arts with Certification Program, or would like to talk to a current student about the program, please visit the program contact page.

Faculty: To view a faculty member's research interests, click on his or her name. Links will open up in a new window. Close the window to return to this page.

Deborah Loewenberg BallThis link opens in a new window

Hyman BassThis link opens in a new window

Diane Larsen-FreemanThis link opens in a new window

Eugenie Potter This link opens in a new window

Klo PhillipiThis link opens in a new window

Laura RoopThis link opens in a new window

Stuart RankinThis link opens up in a new window(Elementary MAC Program Coordinator)

Catherine H. ReischlThis link opens up in a new window (Elementary MAC Program Coordinator)

Nancy SongerThis link opens in a new window

Karen WixsonThis link opens in a new window

Alumni and current students:

Deepika Ahuja - ELMAC 04

Julie Donnelly - ELMAC 02

Mark Donnelly - ELMAC 03

Suzanne Garcia Mateus - ELMAC 05

Rhonda Jordon - ELMAC 05

Pam Reifman - ELMAC 05

Amy Warner - ELMAC 04

Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) Program?

The MAC Program is a highly-intensive graduate level teacher certification program that begins late June of each year and ends the following July. To learn whether you are prepared to begin the MAC Program, you must complete either an application for an elementary (Adobe PDF) or secondary (Adobe PDF) coursework evaluation and submit it along with one official transcript from all academic institutions attended (including community colleges) to the Office of Student Services. Although the application requirements include the completed application, GRE scores, 3 letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose, the most critical element that determines admission to the program is the completion of coursework for the teaching major and minor.

What is the cost of the Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) Program?

The length of both the Elementary and Secondary MAC Program is 2 half semesters (summer and the following spring half semester), and 2 full semesters (fall and winter semester). Please refer to the following Web site for current tuition costs as a graduate student in Education. The information indicates in-state and out-of-state and full-term and half-term tuition costs. The Web site is:
www.umich.edu/~regoff/tuition/

You may also contact the Office of Financial Aid for further information on costs.

Should I wait until I have all information before applying to the program?

No. Because of the significant amount of time required for our academic advisors to complete the coursework evaluation, we recommend you submit the Application for a Coursework Evaluation to the Office of Student Services as soon as possible. This will prevent any delays in the admissions process, and enable you to take any additional courses which may be required for your teaching major, teaching minor, or general studies requirements before entrance to the MAC Program.

What "deadlines" should I be aware of?

Application deadline dates can be found in the program/specialization site. To view the admissions deadlines, visit the School of Education Web site at http://www.soe.umich.edu/programs/ and choose the specialization you wish to study. When you get to the program/specialization page, click on the "Admissions" link on top.

What are the terms of my certification (i.e., "What can I teach?")

The State of Michigan allows teachers with secondary certification to teach subjects within their teaching majors or minors in grades 6 through 12 in public school systems. Students who complete the MAC Program receive a provisional certificate from the State of Michigan which is valid for a period of six years. Renewal of the provisional certificate or professional certification are then available based upon work experience and subsequent professional development. Any additional questions about certification can be addressed to a School of Education academic advisor or to the Michigan Department of Education. Elementary certification is for all subjects in grades K-5 and in teaching majors and minors for grades 6-8 for students passing the state tests in those areas.

What should I include in my Statement of Purpose?

Your Statement of Purpose for the Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) Program should be an explanation of why you want to be a teacher.   Please make a case for why you want to teach and why you want to pursue teaching through this program.   This might include responses to some of the following:

Keep in mind that the above questions are to serve as a guide to help you think about why you want to become a teacher.   Your Statement of Purpose should read like a well thought out essay and not a response to a series of questions.   In addition, it should be two to four typed, double-spaced, single-sided pages. Carefully edit this statement for content and writing conventions.

What if I want to teach somewhere other than Michigan?

Click here for more information about certification in other states.  

Where can I find the School of Education or University schedule of classes?

The schedule of classes for the University can be found by viewing http://www.umich.edu/~regoff This link opens in a new window. The subject code for the majority of the School of Education classes is EDUC. Other subject codes are:
EDBEHAVR Education Behavioral Sciences
EDCURINS Education Curriculum and Instruction

You can also view classes offered by School of Education academic units by visiting the "Courses and SchedulesThis link opens in a new window" topic under the " Academic ProgramThis link opens in a new window" section of the School of Education Web site.

 

 

Master of Arts with Certification (MAC): Elementary - Contacts

You can view a list of program faculty by visiting the “People” link to the right.

FAQ If you have any questions, contact:

Professor Stuart RankinThis link opens up in a new window, Elementary MAC Coordinator
School of Education
610 E. University Avenue, Room 1228J
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Email: srankin@umich.edu
Phone: 734-647-4723
Fax: 734-647-9158

Professor Catherine H. ReischlThis link opens up in a new window, Elementary MAC Coordinator
School of Education
610 E. University Avenue, Room 1228I
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Email: creischl@umich.edu
Phone: 734-936-0872

or use the online form below to send the Elementary MAC Program an e-mail. Remember: To help us alert you to recruitment events and admissions updates, be sure to graduate program inquiry formThis link opens up in a new window.

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