Teacher and Administrator Certification

Additional Endorsements

Office of Teacher and Administrator Certification
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5260 USA
(269) 387-3473

Successful completion of an approved program, a passing score on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification subject area test, and 30 to 50 hours of supervised clinical experience in the new endorsement area are required to apply to add an endorsement(s) to an existing certificate through MOECS. Endorsements must be added within five years of program completion and testing. Failure to be certified within this time period will require a program review and a retake of the subject area test(s).

Request an additional endorsement program evaluation

Subject endorsements at current grade level

A teacher may earn an additional endorsement in a new major or minor appropriate to the grade level of the original certificate.  For example, a secondary certified teacher may add a secondary minor or major such as secondary mathematics to be certified in grade 6-12 mathematics. The elementary certified teacher may complete an elementary major or minor such as elementary mathematics to become certified in grade K-8 mathematics. State of Michigan subject area testing will apply to the addition of endorsement(s) to existing certificates after Sept. 1, 1993.

Teachers holding Michigan teacher certification in K-5, K-8, or Special Education K-12, can add the Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement to be eligible to teach birth through age 8, including in state-funded preschools and early childhood special education programs for children birth through age 5.

Candidates must complete the approved 27 semester hours of graduate level coursework. Teachers without graduate level early childhood coursework must enter WMU's master's degree or graduate certificate program. Contact Dr. Andrea Smith for advising.

Policy for handling requests from students with a Master's of Arts from an institution other than WMU who want to earn the ZS (Early Childhood General and Special)

Policy for handling requests from Miller College students who want to earn the ZS (Early Childhood General and Special)

The early childhood teacher education faculty in Michigan universities have agreed to the following requirements for adding a ZS endorsement when one has a ZA endorsement. Teachers should apply to WMU using the graduate Certified Teacher or Administrator Seeking Continuing Certification application.

1. Students must complete a graduate course on assessment in early childhood special education (ED 6110 at WMU).
2. Students must complete a field experience (minimum of 90 hours) in an inclusive early childhood setting focused on curriculum and instruction (ED 7120 at WMU).
3. Pass the MTTC test #106 (ZS test) and apply to add the endorsement to an active teaching certificate within five years of the test and program completion.

Adding endorsement to certificate

Teachers who want to add an elementary endorsement (K-5 all subjects and K-8 all subjects in a self-contained classroom) to their secondary certificate must complete the entire approved undergraduate or graduate initial certification program, including elementary content and methods courses, an internship in an elementary setting, and a passing score on the Michigan Test for Teaching Certification elementary education exam #103. WMU does not offer a short of quick route to elementary certification. Please contact the Office of Teacher and Administrator Certification for additional information or to have your transcripts evaluated. 

Teachers who want to add a secondary endorsement to their elementary certificate must complete the entire approved undergraduate initial certification program, including major and minor content and methods courses, an internship in a secondary setting and a passing score on the Michigan Test for Teaching Certification in their major area of study. K-12 endorsements in physical education, health education, family and consumer science education, art education, music education and world languages are all secondary programs. Please contact the Office of Teacher and Administrator Certification for additional information or to have your transcripts evaluated.