About Michigan State University

• I would like to visit Michigan State University, how do I go about that?
• What are the residence halls like?
• How big is the campus?
• Is MSU a party school?
• What is the security like?

About the College of Education

• How is the College of Education ranked nationally?
• What types of contact will I have with faculty and other professionals in the College of Education?
• What are the class sizes in the College of Education?
• What can I major/minor in for Education?
• How do I become a teacher?
• If I already have a bachelor’s degree, what else do I need to do to be able to teach?

About Admission & Placement

• What is the application process for the College of Education?
• What Grade Point Average do I need for admission to the College of Education?
• Where can I find information about scholarships and financial aid?
• How will I be placed into a math class?
• When do I select a major?

Beaumont Tower
I would like to visit Michigan State University, how do I go about that?
A visit to campus is the best way to learn about Michigan State University. The Office of Admissions and Scholarships welcomes your visit and has developed several programs to serve your needs. 

The Michigan State University Student Alumni Foundation also provides prospective students, friends and alumni with tours of the Michigan State University campus. Regular campus tours are offered Monday through Friday. Special tours require reservation two weeks in advance. Note: Tours are not given during Final Exams or Holiday Breaks. Call (517) 355-4458 for further information.

What are the residence halls like?
The Department of University Housing at Michigan State University operates the largest housing system in the country, with 24 undergraduate and graduate residence halls across a 2,200-acre campus, in styles ranging from ivy-covered Collegiate Gothic to sleek, geometric modern. 

The residence halls are the hub of campus life, and in addition to student living and dining space, many house academic departments and faculty offices, classrooms, computer labs, convenience stores, fitness centers, study rooms, recreation lounges and residence life program space.

MSU Campus
How big is the campus?
Michigan State University, a pioneer land-grant institution, was founded in 1855. The campus is part of a metropolitan area that includes a total population of 433,000. The curriculum now includes more than 200 programs of undergraduate and graduate studies taught by more than 4,000 academic staff in 14 degree granting colleges. Approximately 8,000 nonacademic employees service the needs of the institution.

For the 2005 fall semester, 44,000 students (23,069 women, 19,969 men) were enrolled on MSU's East Lansing campus; 33,966 were undergraduates, 9,400 were graduate students, and 1,340 were professional students. More than 85 percent of MSU students were from Michigan; 2,798 international students came from 118 foreign countries. MSU's residence hall system has a capacity of more than 17,000 students; students may also live in the 2,468 campus apartments.

The property holdings of MSU at East Lansing total 5,200 acres. Of this total, more than 2,000 acres are in existing or planned campus development; the remaining acres are devoted to experimental farms, outlying research facilities, and more than 700 acres of protected natural areas. 

Is MSU a party school?
Michigan State University offers a wide variety of activities for the community there are over 500 registered student organizations, theater, movies, athletics, performers, Greek life, intramural activities and much, much more. 

Red Ceder River
What is the security like?
The Department of Police and Public Safety, with 90 full time employees, is responsible for police services, parking, special events, and public health and safety on the campus. Forty-eight are police officers who provide protection and service around the clock.

Community Policing provides close personal involvement between the officers and the community within a specified geographical area with an emphasis on officer ownership and problem solving. Each residence hall complex and the University Apartment area has a mini-station with a full time community policing officer assigned to work directly with University housing groups to rapidly disseminate information and assist in preventing criminal activity. 

The Police Division conducts crime reduction, sexual assault and personal safety seminars aimed at risk avoidance and crime prevention. The officers also coordinate and support citizen programs such as "Campus Watch" and "Lot Watch" which are staffed by student and employee volunteers.

The College of Education


How is the College of Education ranked nationally?
College continues to be ranked among the best in the nation. In the 2008 issue of U.S. News and World Report's Best Graduate Schools, the College was ranked first in elementary and secondary education for the 13th consecutive year. We were additionally ranked #1 in rehabilitation counseling, #2 in curriculum and instruction, #4 in higher education administration, #4 in educational psychology, #8 in administration/supervision and #10 in educational policy. Having eight graduate program areas ranked by reputation in the top 10 nationally is testimony to the quality and reputation of our faculty and programs. Overall, the College ranked 14th when rated against criteria of selectivity, research activity, resources, enrollment, and reputation. 

What types of contact will I have with faculty and other professionals in the College of Education? 
Once admitted to the College of Education, students have the opportunity to learn from a wide array of experienced professionals. Students will learn from faculty in a variety of different departments, graduate students, supervising teachers during their field placements, team administrators and academic advisors.

What are the class sizes in the College of Education?
The average class size is 26.5 students.

What can I major/minor in for Education?
There are 28 majors and 30 minors to choose from in preparation for teaching certification at the elementary and secondary level. The Teacher Education department maintains a list of majors and minors, and associated coursework.

How do I become a teacher?
Simply earning a bachelors degree in education is not sufficient to become a certified elementary or secondary teacher.  The requirements for teacher certification fall into four categories:

• Coursework to earn a bachelors degree
• Internship/student teaching
• Michigan Test for Teacher Certification. 
      Basic Skills Test  taken before admission to the certification program 
      Subject Area Tests
• Technology Requirement

At Michigan State University students are prepared to meet these requirements in an integrated baccalaureate/post-baccalaureate internship program.  After earning a Bachelors degree in an approved major/minor(s),students enter a Fifth Year Internship where they teach under the guidance of cooperating teachers and faculty of the College of Education while completing Education coursework. 

Details of the teacher education program requirements can be found with the Academic Program descriptions for teacher certification and undergraduate programs.

If I already have a bachelor's degree, what else do I need to do to be able to teach?
The Post-Bachelor Certification Program is designed for people with a bachelor's degree who wish to earn their teaching certificate. This program requires a minimum commitment of 24 months in a full-time student status to complete the Teacher Certification Program. During their course of study, students receive instruction from nationally renowned faculty and classroom experiences with outstanding K-12 teachers, resulting in preparation to meet the challenges of the teaching profession.  More information

What Grade Point Average do I need for admission to the College of Education?
To be considered the student must have as a minimum an overall Grade Point Average of 2.75. However, admission is based on a competitively derived score, not solely Grade Point Average.

Where can I find information about scholarships and financial aid?
Scholarships: The College of Education offers an increasing number of scholarships for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students funded by gifts from faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the College. More information 

Currently, only one of these scholarships is available for an incoming freshman: the College of Education Alumni Association Freshman Scholarship. All others are for enrolled students. 

In addition, the Michigan State University Office of Financial Aid has information about other university, state, federal and private scholarships. 

Financial Aid: If you have already applied for admission to Michigan State University, you can, at the same time, apply for financial aid. 

How will I be placed into a math class?
Undergraduates new to Michigan State University take a mathematics placement exam. This exam is available to high schools in computer format via the Mathematics Department home page. 
Each student whose score on the mathematics test shows a deficiency, and who is required to remove that deficiency in order to fulfill the University graduation requirement in mathematics or degree program requirements, will complete Mathematics 1825. 

Students who have questions about their placement should consult with the Mathematics representative at Orientation. More information 

When do I select a major?
The Undergraduate University Division advises no preference majors. More information about no preference majors and advising is on the Undergraduate University Division's web site.  If, however, you think you might want to pursue a teaching certificate, you are urged to declare "pre-education" as your major so you can be advised by College of Education advisors.

Students must select a major and minor(s) when applying to the College of Education at the end of their Sophomore year.