Becoming a Physical Education Teacher in Michigan: Requirements and Steps

The Michigan Department of Education (MDOE) has established rigorous standards for physical education, as part of the new Michigan Merit Curriculum. These standards mandate specific instructional periods: 150 minutes per week for elementary students and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students. Certified PE teachers must deliver this instruction using curriculum aligned with the Michigan K-12 Physical Education Content Standards and Benchmarks, equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for lifelong physical activity, while also influencing their development of personal and social skills.

To become a certified Physical Education (PE) teacher in Michigan, there are several key steps involving education, testing, and certification. This article outlines the necessary requirements and provides a detailed roadmap for aspiring PE teachers in Michigan.

Educational Requirements: Laying the Foundation

Step 1: Complete a Bachelor's Degree Approved by Michigan

The first step toward becoming a PE teacher in Michigan is to complete a bachelor’s degree from a program approved by the Michigan Department of Education. There are 19 approved PE teaching programs offered in various departments, including kinesiology and education.

These programs provide training in both teaching methods and PE content. Examples of relevant bachelor’s degrees include:

Physical Education (B.A. or B.S.)
Physical Education Teaching (B.S.)
Physical Education and Education (B.S.)
Physical Education Coaching
Physical Education/Teacher Education, K-12 Major (B.A.)
Physical Education: K-12 Teacher/Coach (B.S.)
General Physical Education (B.A.)
Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Sport
Health & Exercise Science (B.S.)
Kinesiology-Pedagogy Teacher Preparation Track (B.S.)

Some programs also offer minors for teaching physical education to special education students.

The coursework will vary depending on the department, but PE-specific courses typically include:

Exercise Physiology
Kinesiology
Physiology & Anatomy
First Aid & Emergency Care
Philosophy of Physical Education & Sport

Many departments also offer courses in specific types of exercises, such as invasion games and aquatics.

Testing Requirements: Demonstrating Competency

Step 2: Take the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC)

To become a certified PE teacher in Michigan, you must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in physical education. If you aspire to teach elementary school, you must also pass the Elementary Education Exam.

Physical Education Certification Exam

Passing the Physical Education Certification Exam is a prerequisite for becoming a PE teacher in Michigan. Reviewing the descriptive statements in each objective is crucial for identifying areas that require additional study. The MTTC website offers two study guides: one for general preparation and test preparation, and another with sample questions for the exam.

Taking the sample test can help you identify your weaknesses and estimate the time needed to complete the actual test. Additionally, a video tutorial is available to guide you in preparing for the exam, along with an explanation of the score report to help you understand your results.

Read also: Understanding PE Content

Once you pass the PE MTTC, the passing score is valid for five years. If you do not obtain a certificate or endorsement within that time, you will need to retake the exam.

Professional Readiness Exam

You must also pass the Professional Readiness Exam (PRE) before receiving your teaching certification in Michigan. This exam includes three subtests:

Reading
Mathematics
Writing

After taking the PRE, you will receive a score report with detailed information about your performance. The PRE only needs to be passed once and does not need to be retaken for certificate renewal.

Preparation for the Exams

Before registering for the MTTC exams, review the checklist of necessary information. Exam fees vary depending on whether you choose to take the exams on paper or on a computer.

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the MTTC. However, after failing the exam four times, the Michigan Department of Education requires you to seek academic counseling from college or university staff to address any educational deficiencies. This process must be repeated if you continue to fail the exam.

Read also: The Importance of Seeding

Certification Process: Entering the Profession

Step 3: Complete the Michigan Physical Education Provisional Certification Process

After completing your bachelor’s degree and passing the required MTTC exams, your school will recommend you for the Provisional Certificate, your initial teaching certificate. This certificate is valid for up to six years.

During your first three years of teaching, Michigan state law requires you to continue your learning process through three phases:

Structured teacher induction
Quality, trained mentor support
Quality professional development opportunities

Your school will assign you a mentor, who may be a master teacher, a college professor, or a retired master teacher. You will apply your knowledge of content and pedagogy while continuing to learn through a planned program of study.

State law mandates that you participate in at least 15 days of professional development, including classroom management and instructional delivery. This framework aims to ensure a strong teaching force and help new teachers remain employed in their field.

Certificate Renewal

You can renew the Provisional Certificate three times, with each renewal valid for up to three years. For the first renewal, you must complete one of the following requirements within the three years prior to renewing:

6 semester hours at a school approved by Michigan to teach PE or any accredited school providing academic content appropriate to the grade level and field of PE.
180 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level and physical education.
A combination of the two: 30 SCECHs = 1 semester credit hour.

The process for the second renewal is the same, requiring you to obtain the education within the three years prior to renewal. The requirements for a third renewal include:

Sponsorship by the local private school or school district.
MED approval.
Having completed all academic requirements for the Professional Education Certificate.

You cannot obtain a third renewal if you have not met all the requirements for a Professional Education Certificate.

Step 4: Apply for a Professional PE Teacher Education Certificate

Once you have successfully completed the following requirements, you can apply for a Professional Education Certificate, allowing you to teach PE independently in Michigan:

Three years of teaching experience.
6 semester hours of reading methods for elementary certified teachers and 3 for secondary certified teachers.
3 semester hours of reading diagnostic and remediation coursework.
One of the following (or a combination) obtained within the five years before the application and since obtaining the most recent Provisional Certificate:
- 6 semester hours in a planned program at a Michigan-approved school (credit towards a Master’s degree in education or a field related to education) or in an approved endorsement program.
- Coursework appropriate to the grade level and PE.
- 180 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level and PE.
- 150 clock hours of District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) (no more than 30 hours per school year count). If you only use DPPD, you need 150 hours. If you combine this with SCECHs and semester credit hours, you need 180 hours.

Endorsements: Specializing in Physical Education

State law requires high school teachers to have an endorsement in their content area. For physical education in Michigan, this can include one of the following:

MB: physical education major or minor
MX: group major of PE, health education, dance, and recreation

You may be able to teach both PE and health if you hold endorsements in both areas. If you are already certified to teach in Michigan but want to switch to teaching PE, you will need to complete 20 hours of PE coursework at an approved school and take the PE-specific test to obtain your PE endorsement.

Salary Expectations: What to Expect

Occupational salary data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget indicates that the average Michigan PE teacher salary is $61,290. Entry-level salaries range from $33,500 to $38,380. Tenure-level salaries at the top 75th and 90th percentiles are between $81,920 and $101,010, a range of approximately 19%.

Job Opportunities: Finding a Position

When applying for physical education jobs in Michigan, it's important to be aware of the application procedures for different school districts. For example, Livonia Public Schools (LPS) requires all applicants, including current employees, to complete and submit an application through Applitrack, which can be accessed via the Livonia Public Schools website.

The work year, salary, and fringe benefits will align with the current agreement between the Board of Education and the Livonia Education Association.

LPS is committed to non-discrimination and will not discriminate against any person based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, height, weight, marital status, handicap, disability, sexual orientation, sexual identity, or transgender status. The Director of Human Resources is designated to handle inquiries and grievances related to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, and marital status.

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