Teacher, Administrator, School Counseling, & School Psychologist Certification (Adventist & State of Michigan)

Seventh-day Adventist Teaching Credential Levels and Requirements

Seventh-day Adventist K–12 teacher credentialing is organized into three levels of certificates: Basic, Standard and Professional. The following section describes each level, points out specific requirements, and tells how they are met at Andrews University.

Adventist Basic Certificate

The Basic Teaching Certificate may be issued to the candidates presenting a “Verification of Eligibility” form from Andrews University. The certificate is issued by the union conference where the candidate takes his/her first teaching position.

Religion Requirements

A minimum of 12 semester hours in religion, taken at a Seventh-day Adventist college/university or through Consortium of Adventist Colleges and Universities, to include the following areas:

• Doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
  • RELT225 - Doctrines of Adventist Faith
• Biblical Studies
  • Courses such as Jesus in His Time and Ours, Law & Writings of the New & Old Testament, Acts & Epistles, Prophets of Israel
• Spirit of Prophecy. A study of the gift of prophecy revealed in the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White. 
  • RELH 400 - SDA History and Prophetic Heritage/Seventh day Adventist Church History. (This course covers both Gift of Prophecy and Seventh-day Adventist Church History.)
• Seventh-day Adventist Church History
  • RELH 400 - SDA History and Prophetic Heritage
• Health Principles. A course in health based on the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White. 
  • HLED 120 - Fit for Life

Adventist School Experience

All candidates for Adventist certification must have significant structured experiences in a Seventh-day Adventist school. To fulfill this certification requirement at Andrews University, any one of the following experiences are considered appropriate:

• Full-semester student teaching in an approved Seventh-day Adventist school.
  
• A lab experience for EDTE 165 in a recognized Seventh-day Adventist school.
  
• Three weeks of pre- or post-student teaching experience in a recognized Seventh-day Adventist school.
  
• Other verified experiences may fulfill this requirement. Requests to have these considered must be made on a petition form available at the Department of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum office. Such petitions should be submitted at least one semester before student teaching begins.
  

Multi-grade/Multi-age Teaching Experience (Elementary only)

For the Elementary Teaching endorsement, multi-grade teaching experience is required. The unique curriculum, instructional strategies, and scheduling which characterize the multi-grade classroom are the focus of the course program and its 50-hour fieldwork experience. Arrangements to take EDTE 425 - Multi-grade/Multi-age Education should be made with the Director of Student Teaching immediately following admission to the teacher preparation program.

Renewal of Adventist Basic Certificate

The Basic Teaching Certificate is valid for any three-year period (commencing when it is activated) during the first five years after it is issued. It can be re-validated by completing additional approved professional education/activities. See Manual for SDA Certification Requirements K–12 for specifics.

Adventist Standard Certificate

• The Standard Teaching Certificate may be issued to an applicant who meets initial General Eligibility Requirements.
• Meets the requirements for a Basic Teaching Certificate.
• Completes a minimum of three years of full-time teaching or equivalent. Completes 6 credits of professional education or courses in area(s) of endorsements beyond the requirement of the Basic Teaching Credential.

Renewal of Adventist Standard Certificate

The Standard Teaching Certificate is valid for five years. It can be renewed by completing 9 semester credits of advanced/graduate professional education or approved subject-area courses. See Manual for SDA Certification Requirements K–12 for specifics.

Adventist Professional Certificate

Seventh-day Adventist teachers desiring Professional Certification must meet the following criteria:

• Meet initial general eligibility requirements.
• Qualify for the Standard Teaching Certificate.
• Meet one of the following:
  • Hold a master’s degree.
  • Complete a prescribed fifth-year program for teachers.
  • Earn 40 semester hours of graduate/post-baccalaureate upper-division credit.
  • Have 30 semester credits in professional education courses and/or in no more than two areas of certification endorsement.
  • Earn graduate/post-baccalaureate upper-division credit in at least two of the areas listed below:
    • Curriculum
    • Improvement of instruction
    • Learning theory/style
    • Education of the exceptional child
    • Trends and issues in education
    • Multi-cultural education

Renewal of Adventist Professional Certificate

The Professional Teaching Certificate is valid for five years. Renewal of the certificate requires 6 additional semester credits. See Manual for SDA Certification Requirements for specific details.

State of Michigan Certification Resources

Michigan’s administrative rules change frequently. Certificate holders are responsible for understanding the effects of any changes. Please access the certification resources listed to keep current with changes.