College of Education Admission Process and Criteria for Transfer Students

Direct Admission Option  
Transfer students interested in obtaining teacher certification must first submit an undergraduate application to the Office of Admissions at Michigan State.  Students interested in Elementary Education should select the “Education” major or one of the Special Education program codes. Students interested in Secondary Education should select the major corresponding to the subject they want to teach and check the box that asks if there is an interest in earning a teaching certificate. Students who want admission to MSU as Kinesiology majors must decide if they want to participate in the teacher certification option or the non-teaching option. If they want consideration for the teacher certification option then they will proceed as secondary applicants.  

The Office of Admissions will review applications to determine if a student is eligible for the direct transfer admission process. To qualify for the direct admission application process a student must: 

• Be able to transfer at least 42 credits 
• Have an average overall GPA of a 3.1 minimum (including all courses, all attempts, all schools)
• Complete any required remedial math or writing courses prior to transferring to MSU. It is required that students will have satisfied at least the Intermediate Algebra level or higher (by course credit or by placement score) prior to admission to MSU. 

The Office of Admissions will send eligible students a College of Education Supplemental Application that will include consideration of grade point average and a web-based essay. There is a $20 essay scoring fee. The supplemental transfer application includes a web address to apply on-line in addition to submitting the hard copy application. Please note that direct admission to the College of Education is competitive and a limited number of spaces are available. Therefore, it is advantageous for students to apply as early as possible, i.e. once 30 or more credits have been earned with an enrollment yielding a total of 42 or more credits. In addition to having a competitive application score based on essay and GPA, students must fulfill the following before matriculation at MSU to retain admission status: 

• Transfer at least 42 credits 
• Complete all remedial/developmental coursework (e.g. Intermediate Algebra)
• Average an overall GPA of a 3.1 minimum (including all courses, all attempts, all schools)  
  Pass the MTTC Basic Skills (reading, writing, mathematics). MTTC scores must be officially reported to MSU. 
• Special Education: Documentation of hours of experience with special needs students  

The College of Education and the Office of Admissions need final transcripts confirming final GPA and total credits.  

Internal Application Option  (for those not eligible for Direct Transfer Admission)
Students who transfer to MSU (after or before completing 42 credits) may apply to the Teacher Education program through the regular on-campus undergraduate application process. Students must meet the following: 

• Sophomore standing or higher (28 credits or more) 
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA from transfer courses and a minimum 2.75 earned at MSU 
• All academic indicators may be considered in their selection 
• MTTC Basic Skills must be passed and scores officially reported prior to admission.

Applications to the Teacher Education program are available in early September in 134 Erickson and at the Academic Orientation Program in January. Admission information and applications are available on the College's website at www.educ.msu.edu under "Info for Students." Again, this is a competitive admission process and a limited number of spaces are available. Students in this pool must meet all requirements for admission including passing the MTTC Basic Skills prior to admission to the College of Education.

Click here for: FAQ for Transfer Students