Best Online Education and Teaching Programs in Michigan (MI)
If you want a career that matters, teaching in Michigan could be the perfect fit. But, let’s be real — figuring out how to get there can feel like a maze. You need to decide on the type of degree, how to study online while working, how much it costs, and your prospects once you graduate.
This guide is here to cut through the noise and help you find the right education program in Michigan, where the demand is high for teachers and there is state-based financial aid for your education. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up in your career, you’ll get the inside scoop on top schools, financial aid, certification steps, and job opportunities.
Associate Degrees in Michigan
An associate degree in education is a great way to start your career in teaching or gain foundational knowledge before transferring into a bachelor’s program. Many associate-degree holders go on to work as teaching assistants, preschool educators, or childcare workers.
Lake Michigan College
This two-year program provides an affordable, flexible pathway for students who plan to transfer to a four-year university and earn teacher certification. The college is especially set up well to transfer credits to Michigan schools, including partner Western Michigan University. The curriculum covers child development, instructional methods, and classroom management, preparing students for entry-level roles in education or further study. You can earn speciality associate degrees in applied science or in arts. LMC accepts scholarships for this program and has a financial aid department to help prospective students.
Location: Benton Harbor
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $125/credit (in-district)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
Bachelor’s Degrees in Michigan
A bachelor’s degree in education is designed for people passionate about shaping young minds. Ideal for aspiring teachers, this program provides foundational knowledge in teaching practices, classroom management, and subject matter expertise. It equips students with the skills needed to embark on rewarding careers in primary or secondary education.
Central Michigan University
CMU’s Bachelor of Science in Education is a top choice for students looking to specialize in early childhood, elementary, or special education. This flexible program features classroom work that can be completed online, making it accessible for students balancing work and life commitments.
One of CMU’s standout tracks is the Early Childhood Certification program. This nationally accredited program prepares students to teach from pre-school programs through third grade, with hands-on experiences in diverse early childhood settings. Graduates can become preschool teachers, early childhood special educators, or Head Start program coordinators.
Location: Mount Pleasant
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $525/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Completed prerequisites
Master’s Degrees in Michigan
A master’s degree in education is designed for educators seeking advanced knowledge and specialized skills. These programs go beyond foundational teaching principles and offer in-depth studies in areas like curriculum development, educational leadership, and technology integration. This degree route is for anyone aspiring to leadership roles or wanting to enhance their expertise.
University of Michigan – Dearborn
A fully online, 30-credit program, UM-Dearborn’s Master of Arts in Education is designed for educators looking to expand their skills and move into leadership roles. Whether you want to specialize in Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) , reading, or English as a Second Language (ESL), this program provides flexibility and affordability while maintaining academic rigor. The program also offers students the chance to earn an additional endorsement, depending on your chosen track, along with the master’s degree. All coursework will be delivered asynchronously, allowing students to balance work, life, and education without the need for scheduled logins.
Location: Dearborn
Mode: Online
Cost: See tuition calculator
Admissions Requirements:
- Undergraduate degree
- 3.0 GPA or higher
- Teaching certificate required for certain concentrations
PhD, Doctoral, and Graduate Certificate Programs in Michigan
An EdD is geared toward experienced professionals and focuses on research, leadership, and policy development in education. Meanwhile, a PhD in Education is a research-oriented degree for educators who want to shape the future of the profession for impactful roles in academia, policy, and educational research. Graduate certificates can also help active teachers earn specialties in chosen areas.
University of Michigan – Flint
This satellite of the University of Michigan offers a fully online doctor of education program for students who want to become organizational leaders and affect education policy in K-12 or higher education. Asynchronous classwork is predominant, with one synchronous class taking place on one Saturday a month. Classes include ones on school reform theory, quantitative and qualitative research, and ethical leadership. Degree-holders can work as administrators, superintendents, HR leaders, or higher education professors. A dissertation is part of the final years of this degree, which can take between two and four years for most students.
Location: Flint
Mode: Online
Cost: $1,113 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Statement of purpose
- CV
- Three recommendation letters
- Transcripts (GRE not required)
FAQs From Michigan Education Students
Thinking about becoming a teacher in Michigan but have a million questions? We totally get it. From figuring out how to pay for school to understanding certification requirements, it can seem like a lot. You’re not alone in this feeling, and we’ve got some of the answers you may be seeking below.
Are there scholarships or financial aid opportunities for education & teaching students in Michigan?
If you want to complete a teaching program but aren’t sure how to fund it, there are plenty of financial aid options to explore. In addition to federal aid programs such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, Michigan offers state-specific scholarships like the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and the Tuition Incentive Program. There are also two scholarships specifically for future educators, the MI Future Educator Fellowship and the MI Future Educator Stipend.
Many state schools, including Michigan State University with its scholarships for undergraduates and education interns, offer teaching scholarships. These financial aid resources make pursuing a teaching degree in Michigan more accessible and affordable.
What are the certification requirements to become a teacher in Michigan?
To teach in Michigan, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in education (or a related field), complete a state-approved teacher prep program, and pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC). You’ll also need to participate in student teaching, which is basically hands-on classroom training.
Most teachers start with a Standard Teaching Certificate, which is good for five years. Once you’ve got a few years of experience and some professional development hours under your belt, you can apply for a Professional Teaching Certificate. If you ever want to go into leadership or specialize in something like special education, you may need extra endorsements or a master’s degree.
Can I earn my teaching degree online in Michigan?
Yes, there are a ton of great education programs in Michigan that offer either hybrid or online courses, with fully-online classes especially at the graduate level. Schools like Central Michigan University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Michigan State University offer fully online or hybrid education degrees. For undergrad programs, you can find online bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education and special education, but K-12 teaching programs usually require some in-person classroom experience. Even if most of your coursework is online, you’ll still need to do student teaching in a real classroom.
How long does it take to become a teacher in Michigan?
It depends on the path you take. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Traditional Route – If you’re starting fresh, expect four years to earn a bachelor’s degree, with student teaching as part of your last year.
- Alternative Route – If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can take a teacher certification program (1-2 years) or get a master of arts in teaching (MAT) degree while earning certification.
- Graduate Programs – A master’s degree in education takes 1-2 years, while a PhD or EdD (for those who want to go into research or leadership) can take 3-6 years.
What teaching jobs are in high demand in Michigan?
Michigan is significantly short on teachers, which means there are a lot of opportunities, especially in special education, STEM (math and science), bilingual education, and early childhood education.
If you’re open to teaching in rural or underserved areas, there are even more incentives such as student loan forgiveness and hiring bonuses. Some districts are also offering higher salaries and stipends to attract teachers in high-need subjects.
Salary & Career Outlook for Education Graduates in Michigan
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Elementary School Teachers | $46,110 | $89,730 | $63,290 |
| Michigan | Kindergarten Teachers | $44,240 | $85,510 | $61,680 |
| Michigan | Middle School Teachers | $44,350 | $97,230 | $62,630 |
| Michigan | Postsecondary Teachers | $46,860 | $136,930 | $81,740 |
| Michigan | Secondary School Teachers | $46,990 | $96,230 | $64,470 |
| Michigan | Teachers and Instructors | $29,990 | $82,890 | $50,780 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Elementary School Teachers | 36,350 | 36,530 | 180 | 0.50% |
| Michigan | Kindergarten Teachers | 1,000 | 1,010 | 10 | 1.00% |
| Michigan | Middle School Teachers | 12,210 | 12,280 | 70 | 0.60% |
| Michigan | Postsecondary Teachers | 2,570 | 2,620 | 50 | 1.90% |
| Michigan | Secondary School Teachers | 21,080 | 21,280 | 200 | 0.90% |
| Michigan | Teachers and Instructors | 4,660 | 4,680 | 20 | 0.40% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Resources for Education Students & Professionals in Michigan
Whether you’re a future educator navigating certification, a new teacher searching for lesson-planning tools, or a veteran educator looking for career advancement, Michigan has tons of resources to help. Below, we’ve rounded up some resources for Michigan educators that can make your career journey a little easier.
- Education Trust — Midwest: This is a highly selective leadership opportunity for outstanding Michigan teachers looking to share their expertise around instructional practices, deepen their policy knowledge, and gain a voice in decisions that affect underserved students.
- Future Proud Michigan Educators: This program offers scholarships and stipends for first-time teachers and current educators who may need it. You can also add more subject areas to your certification with their programs.
- Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC): Focused on early childhood educators, MiAEYC provides professional development, networking events, and classroom resources for teachers working with pre-K and elementary-age students.
- Michigan Education Association: MEA is one of the largest teacher unions in the state, representing more than 120,000 educators. They provide career resources, legal support, advocacy, and professional development for teachers, education support professionals, and school employees.
- Michigan Education Savings Program: This program offers a wide range of benefits to help education students meet their college savings needs. It also has some of the lowest costs and fees of savings plans in the country.
- MI Future Educator Stipend: A Michigan government program, the Future Educator Stipend provides $9,600 to education students in the state who are participating in their required student teaching semester.
- Michigan Learning Channel: You’ll find resource collections for in-depth classroom planning, lesson ideas on the fly with its video library, and options sorted by teaching standard with this resource.
- Michigan Teachers of Tomorrow: An alternative certification program that helps career changers and non-traditional educators earn Michigan teaching credentials without going through a full four-year degree.
- Michigan Virtual: An online community for educators in the state, you’ll find learning insights, teaching strategies, and success stories on Michigan’s leading virtual education provider.
- Teach Michigan: A five-year initiative powered by Teach For America Detroit, this program invests in the next generation of high-impact educators who will serve in Title 1 schools.
List of the Best Online Education & Teaching Schools in Michigan
The best online programs for education degrees and certificates often include interactive coursework along with opportunities for real-world experiences in the classroom. Keep these attributes in mind as you look at the rankings below, which come from schools that volunteered information to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Stats to watch for include graduation rates, percentages of online offerings, averages for student grant aid, and student-to-faculty ratio.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Public
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
Public
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Public
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan
Private
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Public
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Public
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Public
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan
Public
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan
Public
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan
Public
