Secondary Teacher Certification and Endorsements
Ferris is authorized by the State of Michigan to recommend individuals for secondary
provisional certification, interim occupational certificate, secondary professional
certification, occupational education certificate, certificate renewals, and additional
endorsements in FSU approved subject areas.
- Secondary Provisional Certification
The secondary provisional certificate is the initial certificate issued upon completion
of an approved program. The holder of this certificate is eligible to teach grades
7–12 in their major and minor subject areas. If you are completing a Secondary Teacher
Education bachelor's degree or if you currently hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-teaching
field you will begin with this level of certification.
- Interim Occupational Certificate
The interim occupational certificate is the initial vocational certificate (not to
be confused with “annual occupational authorization”). With this certificate you are
eligible to teach grades 9–12 in the occupational major, in a reimbursed vocational
program.
- Certificate Renewal
You may renew an expired teaching certificate by completing 10 semester hours in a
planned program. A renewal is valid for three years. A second renewal can be obtained
by completing the remaining 8 hours of the required 18 hour program plan for professional
certification.
- Additional Endorsements
An additional endorsement may be completed in any of the major or minor FSU approved
subject areas. You must have a valid teaching certificate to add a new endorsement.
- Occupational Education Certificate
This certificate is the next level of certificate following the interim occupational
certificate. To obtain this certificate, you must: hold a interim occupational certificate,
complete 10 semester hours in a occupational education planned program (may be part
of the 18 hour program plan for secondary professional certification), and have taught
successfully for three years in grades 9–12 in your occupational major.