Bachelor of Science in Special Education Teacher’s Certificate

The Special Education Teacher’s Certificate Program (TCP) is designed to prepare future educators for careers in special education. This Bachelor of Science (BS) program qualifies graduates for Michigan teacher certification or provides an option to earn a degree in Education without certification.The program is structured into three phases, equipping students to teach in special education settings with endorsements in autism spectrum disorder (AD), cognitive impairment (CI), or emotional impairment (EI). It emphasizes the educator’s role in supporting students with disabilities through universal design for learning, multi-tiered systems of support, and services under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Academic advisors assist students in selecting courses each semester.Phase IStudents complete preparatory coursework in education and relevant academic subject areas.Before advancing to Phase II, candidates must undergo the Dispositions, Attributes, and Proficiencies (DAP) Interview. Additionally, submission and approval of an application—including a felonymisdemeanor form—are required, with deadlines set for January 10 (Fall entry) and September 10 (Winter entry).Phase IIThis phase involves a minimum of 180 hours in field placements assigned by the UM-Flint Education Department. Placements extend throughout the semester, concluding in the final week.Entry into Phase III requires completion and acceptance of an application, including a felonymisdemeanor form. Applications must be submitted in the semester prior to enrollment, with deadlines set for January 10 (Fall) and September 10 (Winter).Phase IIIThe final phase includes at least 420 hours in field placements, incorporating student teaching assignments coordinated by the UM-Flint Education Department. These placements last the entire semester and conclude in the final week.

To earn a degree, students must complete at least 120 credits, though the exact number varies based on the chosen degree and concentration program. They must fulfill the General Education Program requirements, along with any additional degree and concentration-specific requirements. A minimum number of upper-division credits (300-level or above) is also necessary, with variations across academic units and programs, so students should refer to the specific requirements of their college or school—including the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, the College of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing, the School of Management, or the College of Innovation and Technology—as well as their intended concentration program. Additionally, students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0, though some programs require a higher GPA for completion