Endorsements and Advanced Certifications

Elementary Endorsements

The Certification Office advises teachers adding undergraduate-level Elementary, Integrated Science, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Early Childhood endorsements to their Elementary teaching certificates. As these programs are being phased out to align with Michigan's Revised Certification Structure, please contact the Certification Office with any questions you may have.

Secondary and K-12 Endorsements

The Certification Office works with faculty advisers to evaluate the transcripts for teachers who want to add a secondary or K-12 post-bachelor endorsement to their teaching certificate. Available endorsements and adviser information are listed under Option 1: Education-related professional learning. The faculty advisers or Certification Office can answer any questions you may have regarding the endorsement programs.

Adding a Post-Bachelor Endorsement to a Teaching Certificate

1. Contact the Certification Office or program coordinator indicated on the Education-Related Professional Learning list for a transcript evaluation and customized endorsement plan.
2. Apply for admittance on the Post-Undergraduate Admissions page.
   • Log in or set up an Admissions account Login ID and PIN.
   • Click on "Start New Application" and select the term you are applying for.
   • Complete your account profile and academic history.
   • In the Academic Plans section, under Student Type, select “Teacher Certification – Additional Endorsement".
   • Complete all applicable sections of the application before submitting. The system will notify you of any required documentation.
   • To check the status of your application, log into the online application system or contact Undergraduate Admissions.
   • Once formally admitted, you will receive instructions regarding activating your NetID and registering for classes using SAIL.
3. After admittance, you must successfully complete all requirements indicated on the endorsement plan including:
   • All coursework, including prerequisites and field experiences, required for the endorsement, maintaining the minimum cumulative GPA for all subject area and professional education coursework.
   • Pass the corresponding MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) and have the official score reported to Oakland.
   • Pass the associated OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) - World Language endorsements only.
4. Once you have completed all requirements and final grades have been posted,
   • Apply to add the new endorsement in MOECS - these instructions will help you with the process.
   • Submit a request for Recommendation for Additional Endorsement, as this begins the audit process.
   • Applications will typically be processed within 2-4 weeks from the date the application and all documentation are received - this timeline is dependent upon the number of applications in queue for audit at the time.
   • MOECS will send an email prompting you to pay the state fee once your application has been approved. You can also log into MOECS and check the status of your application.
   • Once MDE processes your payment, you can print your new certificate from within MOECS.

MDE Guidance: Adding an Endorsement to a Teaching Certificate

Program Coordinators and Faculty Advisers advise for the graduate-level endorsement, certificate, and degree programs. Graduate-level programs and adviser information are listed under Options 2-4: Education-related professional learning.

After consulting with the Program Coordinator or Faculty Adviser and receiving a personalized program plan, students who want to complete a graduate-level endorsement program will apply for admittance on the Graduate School page.

Once admitted, students will follow the program plan provided by their adviser and complete the following

• Successfully complete all coursework (including prerequisites) required for the endorsement and maintain the minimum cumulative GPA for all subject areas and professional education coursework.
• Pass the corresponding MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) and have the official score reported to Oakland. MTTC scores are valid for five years.

Once all requirements are complete and final grades/degrees have been posted

• Apply to add the new endorsement in MOECS - these instructions will help you with the process. 
• Submit a request for Recommendation for Additional Endorsement, as this begins the official audit process.
• Applications will typically be processed within 2-6 weeks from the date the application and all documentation are received - this timeline is dependent upon the number of applications in queue for audit at the time.
• MOECS will send an email prompting you to pay the state fee once your application has been approved. You can also log into MOECS and check the status of your application.
• Once MDE processes your payment, you can print your new certificate from within MOECS.

Current tuition rates are available on the Student Financial Services page under the tuition and costs tab.
Students that have questions regarding financial aid should visit Student Financial Services.

MDE Guidance: Adding an Endorsement to a Teaching Certificate

School Administrator, Central Office and Leadership

Oakland University offers the following Administrative Certificate programs:

Building-Level Principal, which leads to the ES Administrative Certificate

• Master of Education in Educational Leadership (M.Ed.)
• Educational Specialist in Leadership (Ed.S.)

Central Office Administration, which leads to the CO Administrative Certificate

Oakland University also offers a Teacher Leader program:

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership (M.Ed.) leads to the TL designation, which is included in the requirements to progress to the Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate. You must add the TL designation to your teaching certificate via MOECS before applying for your Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate.

Adding an Administrative or Central Office Certificate, or Teacher Leader designation requires you to:

1. Contact the program coordinator listed in the program links above to discuss program benefits and requirements, and how to join a cohort.
2. Once you have completed all program or endorsement requirements and final grades/degrees have been awarded, you may apply for your new certificate in MOECS - these instructions will help you with the process.
3. To be eligible for recommendation, you must also submit a request for Recommendation for Administrative Certification, as this begins the audit process.
4. Applications will typically be processed within 2-6 weeks from the date the application and all documentation are received.
5. MOECS will send an email prompting you to pay the application fee once your application has been approved. Once MDE processes your payment, you can print your new certificate from within MOECS.

If your program results in a university issued degree or certificate, you will also apply to Oakland for your degree or certificate to be awarded. Please contact Graduate Education or the Department of Organizational Leadership should you have questions regarding this process.

MDE Guidance: School Administrator Certificate and Renewals