Michigan Alternate Route to Certification
M-ARC includes two program pathways open to candidates from across the State of Michigan:
- Initial Certification pathway is an avenue into the teaching profession for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree. Candidates in this pathway work as certified teachers (with salary and benefits) for 3 years while enrolled in the program.
- Teach For America (TFA)-Detroit Partnership pathway is exclusively designed for TFA-Detroit corps members pursuing initial teacher certification.
In each pathway, candidates teach under interim teaching certificates while receiving ongoing, content-specific instructional training and development from University of Michigan teacher educators. The program support lasts for three (3) years as candidates work towards earning their Michigan standard teaching certificates.
Established in 2010 at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education, Michigan Alternate Route to Certification (M-ARC) is Michigan’s longest-running state-approved alternative route to certification program. Our program supports teachers’ growth by merging the Marsal School's over 100 years of experience preparing educators with the accessibility of an alternative pathway.
We believe that well-prepared teachers make a difference and that effective teaching matters. We use the Marsal School’s well-crafted practice-based approach to support our candidates in honing their practice while leading a classroom. In keeping with the mission of the Marsal School, M-ARC guides teachers to develop high quality, equitable, and socially just educational opportunities for all students.
M-ARC AT-A-GLANCE
Why choose the Marsal School M-ARC program?
- World-class support from University of Michigan instructors
- Robust training in research-based teaching practice
- Focus on teaching toward social justice and equity
- Opportunity to receive University of Michigan graduate credits or MA degree
- Affordable monthly fee of $260
What does M-ARC offer?
Pre-service Induction Supports and Training:
M-ARC candidates are expected to fully and successfully participate in all of the following pre-certification activities in order to be recommended for Michigan interim teacher certification and begin teaching in a certified position in a Michigan school:
| Induction Phase I Coursework (16 weeks) | Induction Phase II Summer Intensive (3 weeks) | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Segments |
| Building Equity-Centered Classroom Climate, Culture, and Community |
| Clinical Experiences |
| Practicum in a summer school setting with a mentor teacher (includes observation, coaching, and assessment by M-ARC field instructor) |
In-service Supports and Training:
Once candidates have successfully completed the pre-service induction period (described above) and begin teaching under an interim teaching certificate, the M-ARC Initial Certification pathway provides mentoring and professional development support through 3 components:
| Program Component | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Instruction: Experienced educators work one-on-one with candidates in their classrooms through observations of teaching practice, coaching conversations, and assessment of growth and proficiency across program standards. Field observations, accompanied by coaching conversations, occur at least six (6) times per year. | x | x | x |
| Content Methods Seminar: Experienced educators facilitate collaborative practice-focused learning experiences for grade level/content area cohorts. These online seminar groups meet about two evenings per month during the first two years of the program. | x | x | |
| Portfolio Assignments: Candidates compile artifacts and reflections from their teaching practice in a professional learning inventory, including a capstone comprehensive unit plan assignment, as evidence of their proficiency in program outcome areas. | x | x | x |
What are M-ARC’s enrollment requirements?
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject
- Pass Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC)
- Complete M-ARC application process
Want to learn more about the program or pathways?
See our upcoming information sessions
Program Overview
- PATHWAYS
Initial Certification
The M-ARC Initial Certification Pathway is an avenue into the teaching profession for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree but have not completed an educator preparation program.
In this program, candidates begin with a pre-service induction period that includes self-paced online coursework and a summer practicum experience working with children in an educational setting. Once this pre-service induction is complete, candidates begin teaching under a Michigan interim teaching certificate with salary and benefits and receive ongoing, practice-focused, content-specific preparation and development for three years to earn their Michigan standard teaching certificates. Candidates are responsible for securing appropriate employment in any K-12 school in the State of Michigan.
The M-ARC Initial Certification pathway includes 3 components:
- Field Instruction: Experienced educators work one-on-one with candidates in their classrooms through observations of teaching practice, coaching conversations, and assessment of growth and proficiency across program standards.
- Seminar: Experienced educators facilitate collaborative practice-focused learning experiences for grade level/content area cohorts. These online seminar groups meet about two evenings per month during the first two years of the program.
- Portfolio Assignments: M-ARC advisers guide candidates in the compilation of artifacts and reflections from their teaching practice in a professional learning inventory as evidence of their proficiency in program outcome areas.
The cost to participate in the M-ARC Initial Certification Pathway is $9360 total for the 3-year program (payable in monthly installments).
TFA-Detroit Partnership
This pathway is a state-approved alternative route to teacher certification open only to teachers who are Teach For America (TFA)-Detroit corps members.
While in the TFA-Detroit corps, the U-M Marsal Family School of Education provides corps members with content methods seminars, field instruction, and job-embedded professional growth experiences to prepare and support their induction as teachers. During their two years in the corps, TFA corps members who are not already certified to teach must participate in M-ARC in order to hold interim teacher certification.
Corps members are encouraged to participate in M-ARC for a third year while continuing to teach in their endorsed content areas/grade levels in Michigan schools, in order to earn Michigan standard teacher certification.
The M-ARC TFA-Detroit Partnership pathway includes 3 components:
- Field Instruction: Experienced educators work one-on-one with candidates in their classrooms through observations of teaching practice, coaching conversations, and assessment of growth and proficiency across program standards.
- Seminar: Experienced educators facilitate collaborative practice-focused learning experiences for grade level/content area cohorts. These online seminar groups meet about two evenings per month during the first two years of the program.
- Portfolio Assignments: M-ARC advisers guide candidates in the compilation of artifacts and reflections from their teaching practice in a professional learning inventory as evidence of their proficiency in program outcome areas.
In most cases M-ARC program fees are covered in full by a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.
- CERTIFICATION/ENDORSEMENT AREAS
M-ARC candidates can earn certification in the following content areas Grade Band Content Areas Lower Elementary (grades PK-3) Lower elementary teachers are qualified to teach core content areas in grades PK-3 Upper Elementary (grades 3-6) Upper elementary teachers are qualified to teach core content areas in grades 3-6 In addition, endorsements in the following content areas can be added to an elementary teaching certificate:
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Integrated Science
- Social Studies
- Health/Physical Education
- Spanish
- English as a Second Language
Secondary (grades 6-12) - English
- Mathematics
- Integrated Science
- Social Studies
- Health/Physical Education
- World Languages
- French
- German
- Italian
- Latin
- Spanish
- English as a Second Language (only available if combined with another grade level/content area)
To determine if an endorsement aligns with the content and/or grade level you’d like to teach, please review the Michigan Department of Education’s Quick Reference: Courses that Can be Taught document.
- FAQ
1. How long is the program?
Per Michigan law, M-ARC requires candidates in all pathways to teach under the interim certificate for three (3) academic years while receiving support through our program. The Initial Certification pathway also includes spring/summer pre-teaching coursework; the TFA-Detroit Partnership pathway requires participation in the TFA Summer Pre-Service prior to beginning to teach.
2. Are the courses online?Initial Certification Pathway:
Pre-teaching Coursework - In the spring prior to entering the classroom, you will participate in self-paced online pre-teaching courses (February-June). These courses are designed to be compatible with full-time employment and will require about 6-8 hours per week to complete. In addition to that coursework, you will participate in a spring or summer practicum experience that will include a student teaching component as well as pre-teaching seminars and program orientation. Opportunities will be available to participate in this experience in person in Ann Arbor or remotely from other parts of the state.
Teaching Support - Throughout your time in the program, M-ARC will provide support via classroom observations/coaching (in-person and/or via video), ~2x/month online evening seminars with your cohort, and guided compilation of a professional learning portfolio.
TFA-Detroit Partnership Pathway:
Throughout your time in the program, M-ARC will provide support via classroom observations/coaching (in-person and/or via video), ~2x/month online evening seminars with your cohort, and guided compilation of a professional learning portfolio.
3. How much does the program cost?
Initial Certification Pathway:
The cost to participate in the M-ARC Initial Certification Pathway is $9360 total for the 3-year program (payable in monthly installments).
TFA-Detroit Partnership Pathway:
In most cases, M-ARC program fees are covered in full by a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. If you do not have these funds available, please contact us at m-arcprogram@umich.edu.
4. Is financial aid available?YES! M-ARC is pleased to be a participating institution in the following Future Proud Michigan Educator funding programs:
- MI Future Educator Fellowship
To learn more about how you could receive up to $10,000 for your certification program, click here. - Grow Your Own (GYO) Grant
If you are already employed in a Michigan P-12 public or charter school setting, your district may collaborate with M-ARC to apply for up to $10,000 to support you in earning your certification. To learn more, click here.
No university-based financial aid is available.
- MI Future Educator Fellowship
Need more information?
Upcoming Information Sessions
There are no information sessions currently scheduled; please contact us at marsal.admissions@umich.edu to speak with a recruiter.
M-ARC Team
Connect with M-ARC
Location
University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education
610 East University Avenue, Suite 1225
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Contact
m-arcprogram@umich.edu
(734) 647-0219
Application Steps
Complete these steps to be considered for acceptance into M-ARC.
- Initial Certification Pathway
The next cohort will begin coursework in February 2025.
Priority Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 (admission decision provided by December 1)
Final Application Deadline: January 6, 2025
There is no application fee. A completed application includes the following:- Application (application form will be available in September 2024)
- Personal Statements (personal statement form will be available September 2024)
- Official Transcript for bachelor's (or higher) degree: Minimum GPA: 2.95. The official transcript must be sent directly from the granting institution of your most recent degree and must include the date on which your degree was awarded. Please request that transcripts be emailed to m-arcprogram@umich.edu (preferred) or mailed to: M-ARC Program, 610 E. University Suite 1225, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
- Non-US Transcript: If you completed your degree outside of the U.S., you will need to submit a course-by-course credit evaluation of your transcript which will provide us with a U.S. equivalency of the degree, credits, and GPA. If this is your situation, please email m-arcprogram@umich.edu to request instructions for the credit evaluation process.
- Recommendation Form (recommendation form will be available in September 2024) - To be completed by someone who knows you in an academic or professional capacity and can briefly speak to your potential as a K-12 educator and a certification program participant.
Note: Applicants who are offered admission will also need to complete the requirements listed in the Enrollment Steps section below.
- TFA-Detroit Partnership Pathway
- To apply to be a Teach For America-Detroit corps member, visit teachforamerica.org/register
- Accepted TFA-Detroit corps members will be contacted with instructions for completing M-ARC enrollment requirements.
Enrollment Steps
Timeline for Completion
- Steps 1–4: Complete upon acceptance into M-ARC.
- Steps 5-6: Complete as soon as possible, but no later than July 1 in the year you begin M-ARC.
Links to individual forms are also included below:
- Consent to Photograph or Record Electronically
- Read this Notification Letter which provides details about the university’s data collection practices.
- Permission to Be Contacted for Additional Data Collection
- Teacher Certification Acknowledgment of Understanding
- Criminal Background Affidavit
Order Criminal Background Check via Castle Branch.
This is in addition to any background check you may have done for your employer and is required by the University of Michigan for anyone seeking an interim teaching certificate. No fingerprinting is required. Castle Branch will provide the results to M-ARC. Cost: $42.
Submit Form W-9.
Do not send your W-9 over email, as it includes sensitive personal information. The university’s Financial Services Office requests that we collect this form from you as part of their billing protocol. Please mail the completed form to:
- M-ARC Program
610 E. University, Suite 1225
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Pass the MTTC in all content area(s) and grade level(s) relevant to your desired certification/endorsements.
- Which test(s)?
Take the MTTC that corresponds to the content area(s)/grade level(s) you wish to teach. Visit the M-ARC Overview page for a complete list of the certification/endorsement areas supported by M-ARC.
- When?
We encourage you to take the MTTC(s) before the program begins in March, but at minimum the test(s) must be scheduled by May 1. Most subject area tests are offered frequently year-round, but others are offered only periodically. Plan accordingly and register early. You must pass the MTTC for all desired endorsement areas no later than July 1 in the year you begin M-ARC. You cannot be recommended for an interim certificate until your official MTTC scores are received by the University of Michigan-M-ARC.
- How will the University of Michigan receive my scores?
We can only accept test results sent to us directly from the testing center. When you take your test(s), please indicate that you want test results sent to the University of Michigan-M-ARC (Institution Code: 55).
The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is administered by Language Testing International and is only required for those seeking a world language endorsement. Email m-arcprogram@umich.edu to request M-ARC-specific test registration instructions.
Funding Opportunities
M-ARC, as part of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, is a participating institution in two Future Proud Michigan Educator funding programs.
- MI Future Educator Fellowship
Recipients may receive up to $10,000. - Grow Your Own (GYO) Grant
Applicants already employed in a Michigan P–12 public or charter school setting may receive up to $10,000 to support certification if their district collaborates with M-ARC.
Connect with M-ARC
Location
University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education
610 East University Avenue, Suite 1225
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Contact
m-arcprogram@umich.edu
(734) 647-0219
M-ARC is a certification-only program and does not, by default, lead to graduate credits or a master's degree. However, there are a number of options available for M-ARC candidates to earn U-M graduate credits or a full master’s degree during their time in our program.
If you are interested in more detailed information regarding master’s degree or credit-bearing options for M-ARC candidates, please contact m-arcprogram@umich.edu.
Connect with M-ARC
Location
University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education
610 East University Avenue, Suite 1225
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Contact
m-arcprogram@umich.edu
(734) 647-0219