The Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program (CLTCP) is a Post Baccalaureate Expedited certification program that prepares speakers of Chinese (Mandarin) with a bachelor's degree and no Michigan teaching certification to teach Chinese language and culture in U.S. schools. Successful completion of the program leads to initial (standard) Michigan certification with a Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) Chinese endorsement. This is a program for candidates who are already proficient in Chinese (Mandarin).
There are four pathways to completion of the Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program. The first, called the Residency Pathway, is a two-year teacher residency pathway that provides some financial support and yields initial (standard) Michigan secondary certification with a K-12 Chinese endorsement as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC). The second is the Certification-only Pathway, a 15-month program that only grants teacher certification. Current Michigan State University (MSU) students with an Elementary Education major in their senior year can apply to merge their internship year with the CLTCP in the Elementary Education Residency Pathway to earn initial (standard) Michigan elementary certification with a K-12 Chinese endorsement and a MATC. Lastly, current MSU students with a Special Education major in their senior year can also apply to merge their internship year with the CLTCP in the Special Education Residency Pathway. They will earn initial (standard) Michigan elementary certification with a K-12 Chinese endorsement, their specific special education endorsement, and a MATC. Please see below for the description of these pathways.
Application deadline: We are now accepting applications to each pathway of the Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program (CLTCP) for the 2023-2024 academic year that starts in May of 2023. International applicants must submit all application packet requirements by January 15, 2023. Domestic applicants must submit all application packet requirements by March 15, 2023. Many of the application items can take some weeks for processing. Please make sure to begin the application process early. Questions should be directed to 517.884.6061 or cltcp@msu.edu.
To apply for any of the CLTCP pathways, please visit our Admission Requirements page at the link below:
Earn your Michigan Teacher Certification and Master of Teaching and Curriculum while gaining in-classroom experience through the Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program (CLTCP) Residency Pathway. This full-time, two-year teacher preparation program will provide candidates with the knowledge, skills and support needed to develop into a highly effective teacher of Chinese.
The initial summer will entail academic coursework and pre-internship field experiences. During the mentored internship year (Year 1), students will participate in a yearlong internship in K-12 schools, where they will begin to develop their intern teaching under the guidance of a mentor teacher and supported by MSU field instructors. They will also continue their master's level education courses.
During students' residency year (Year 2), they will continue their academic courses while independently teaching in their own classrooms with the guidance and support of MSU field instructors. Upon conclusion of the program (32 credits, plus field experiences), they will have one full year of independent teaching experience, initial (standard) Michigan secondary certification with a Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) Chinese endorsement, and a Master of Teaching and Curriculum degree.
Field experiences are site-based. During the first summer, all pre-internship field experience sites are in the Greater Lansing/East Lansing area. Following successful completion of the initial summer pre-internship field experiences, students are required to be in a teaching internship placement for a full (K-12) school year (starting about mid-August) in a Michigan school district within a few-hour drive of the East Lansing area, as interns must attend courses on campus one day a week. Depending on your placement, you may need to move and/or have a car and Michigan driver's license to allow you to commute. You will be responsible for obtaining a Michigan driver's license and car if you need them. Please see the Office for International Students and Scholars' (OISS) website or the Michigan Secretary of State's website for information on obtaining a Michigan driver's license. For the second-year residency placement, students have the possibility of remaining in their initial school or being placed in one of various school districts across the U.S. Teacher candidates are not allowed to seek or arrange their own placements. We ask teacher candidates to express some of their preferences regarding placements, but we cannot guarantee to satisfy those requests. Some students may be required to move. All candidates must accept a CLTCP placement or withdraw from the residency program.
All candidates interested in the Residency Pathway will first apply for the Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program (see our Admissions website). During their first fall semester as CLTCP students, they will apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) program (see the MATC Admissions website) and, provided initial internship performance is meeting standards, will automatically matriculate into the Residency Program. The number of teacher resident positions offered each year is contingent upon the number of placements available.
Financial support for students on the Residency Pathway can consist of stipends, fellowships, and scholarships paid to their student accounts over the two-year program. Due to differing pathways to CLTCP completion as well as the requirements of post-baccalaureate programs, financial support will be handled on an individual basis with your advisor. U.S. citizens/residents participating in the CLTCP Residency Pathway are eligible to apply for the federal TEACH Grant for additional financial support. Please see the federal student TEACH grant website for the amount, terms and conditions associated with this grant.
The following is the anticipated course of study; it is subject to change due to course availability and other reasons. Permanent changes will be added to the website. Students should periodically check it to ensure they are aware of the expected course of study.
Enrollment is handled by the CLTCP program secretary except for courses that only count toward the MATC. If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact the program secretary at 517-884-6061 or cltcp@msu.edu.
Individuals who are only interested in obtaining their Michigan Teacher Certification may do so through a 15-month program that leads to an initial (standard) Michigan secondary certification with a K-12 Chinese endorsement. This program consists of 26 credits, pre-internship field experiences, and a one-year teaching internship. Candidates who choose to only pursue certification are ineligible for both the CLTCP Residency Pathway financial support and the federal TEACH Grant.
Field experiences are site-based. During the first summer, all pre-internship field experience sites are in the Greater Lansing/East Lansing area. Following successful completion of the initial summer pre-internship field experiences, students are required to be in a teaching internship position for a full (K-12) school year (starting about mid-August) in a Michigan school district within a few-hour drive of the East Lansing area, as interns must attend courses on campus one day a week. Depending on your placement, you may need to move and/or have a car and Michigan driver's license to allow you to commute. You will be responsible for obtaining a Michigan driver's license and car if you need them. Please see the Office for International Students and Scholars' (OISS) website or the Michigan Secretary of State's website for information on obtaining a Michigan driver's license. Teacher candidates are not allowed to seek or arrange their own placements. We ask teacher candidates to express some of their preferences regarding placements, but we cannot guarantee to satisfy those requests.
The following is the anticipated course of study; it is subject to change due to course availability and other reasons. Permanent changes will be added to the website. Students should periodically check it to ensure they are aware of the expected course of study.
Enrollment is handled by the CLTCP program secretary except for courses that only count toward the MATC. If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact the program secretary at 517-884-6061 or cltcp@msu.edu.
Fourth year MSU students with an Elementary Education major can apply for the CLTCP Elementary Education Residency Pathway. This full-time, two-year teacher preparation program will provide candidates with in-classroom experience and the knowledge, skills and support needed to develop into a highly effective teacher of Chinese.
All candidates interested in the Elementary Education Residency Pathway will first apply for the Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program (see our Admissions website). Those accepted into the program will merge their Elementary Education internship year with CLTCP's mentored internship year. These students must complete their non-internship related coursework the spring semester before entering the program.
Once they begin the program, students will follow a pathway that combines courses for their Elementary Education internship with CLTCP courses. The initial summer will entail academic coursework and pre-internship field experiences. During the mentored internship year (Year 1), students will participate in a yearlong internship in K-12 schools, where they will begin to develop their intern teaching under the guidance of a mentor teacher and supported by MSU field instructors. They will also continue their master's level education courses.
During their first summer semester as CLTCP students, they will apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) program (see the MATC Admissions website). The number of teacher resident positions offered each year is contingent upon the number of placements available.
After their mentored internship year, they will continue to take courses needed to complete the CLTCP and MATC programs as part of their residency year (Year 2) while independently teaching in their own classroom with the guidance and support of MSU field instructors.
Field experiences are site-based. During the first summer, all pre-internship field experience sites are in the Greater Lansing/East Lansing area. Following successful completion of the initial summer pre-internship field experiences, students are required to be in a teaching internship placement for a full (K-12) school year (starting about mid-August) in a Michigan school district within a few-hour drive of the East Lansing area, as interns must attend courses on campus one day a week. Depending on your placement, you may need to move and/or have a car and Michigan driver's license to allow you to commute. You will be responsible for obtaining a Michigan driver's license and car if you need them. Please see the Office for International Students and Scholars' (OISS) website or the Michigan Secretary of State's website for information on obtaining a Michigan driver's license. For the second-year residency placement, students have the possibility of remaining in their initial school or being placed in one of various school districts across the U.S. Teacher candidates are not allowed to seek or arrange their own placements. We ask teacher candidates to express some of their preferences regarding placements, but we cannot guarantee to satisfy those requests. Some students may be required to move. All candidates must accept a CLTCP placement or withdraw from the residency program.
Elementary Education Residency Pathway students who complete the CLTCP will have their Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (along with any minors or endorsements they earned as part of it), one full year of independent teaching experience, initial (standard) Michigan elementary certification with a K-12 Chinese endorsement, and a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum.
Financial support for students on the Elementary Education Residency Pathway consists of stipends, fellowships, and scholarships paid to their student accounts over the two-year program. Due to differing pathways to CLTCP completion as well as the requirements of post-baccalaureate programs, financial support will be handled on an individual basis with your advisor. U.S. citizens/residents participating in the CLTCP Elementary Education Residency Pathway are eligible to apply for the federal TEACH Grant for additional financial support. Please see the federal student TEACH grant website for the amount, terms and conditions associated with this grant.
The following is the anticipated course of study; it is subject to change due to course availability and other reasons. Permanent changes will be added to the website. Students should periodically check it to ensure they are aware of the expected course of study.
Enrollment is handled by the CLTCP program secretary except for courses that only count toward the MATC. If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact the program secretary at 517-884-6061 or cltcp@msu.edu.
Fourth year MSU students with a Special Education major can apply for the CLTCP Special Education Residency Pathway. This full-time, two-year teacher preparation program will provide candidates with in-classroom experience and the knowledge, skills and support needed to develop into a highly effective teacher of Chinese.
All candidates interested in the Special Education Residency Pathway will first apply for the Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program (see our Admissions website). Those accepted into the program will merge their Special Education internship year with CLTCP's mentored internship year. These students must complete their non-internship related coursework the spring semester before entering the program.
Once they begin the program, students will follow a pathway that combines courses for their Special Education internship with CLTCP courses. The initial summer will entail academic coursework and pre-internship field experiences. During the mentored internship year (Year 1), students will participate in a yearlong internship in K-12 schools, where they will begin to develop their intern teaching under the guidance of a mentor teacher and supported by MSU field instructors. During this initial year, students will have one semester interning in an elementary Chinese immersion placement and one semester interning in a special education placement. They will also continue their master's level education courses.
During their first fall semester as CLTCP students, they will apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) program (see the MATC Admissions website). The number of teacher resident positions offered each year is contingent upon the number of placements available.
After their mentored internship year, they will continue to take courses needed to complete the CLTCP and MATC programs as part of their residency year (Year 2) while independently teaching in their own classroom with the guidance and support of MSU field instructors.
Field experiences are site-based. During the first summer, all pre-internship field experience sites are in the Greater Lansing/East Lansing area. Following successful completion of the initial summer pre-internship field experiences, students are required to be in a teaching internship placement for a full (K-12) school year (starting about mid-August) in a Michigan school district within a few-hour drive of the East Lansing area, as interns must attend courses on campus one day a week. Depending on your placement, you may need to move and/or have a car and Michigan driver's license to allow you to commute. You will be responsible for obtaining a Michigan driver's license and car if you need them. Please see the Office for International Students and Scholars' (OISS) website or the Michigan Secretary of State's website for information on obtaining a Michigan driver's license. For the second-year residency placement, students have the possibility of remaining in their initial school or being placed in one of various school districts across the U.S. Teacher candidates are not allowed to seek or arrange their own placements. We ask teacher candidates to express some of their preferences regarding placements, but we cannot guarantee to satisfy those requests. Some students may be required to move. All candidates must accept a CLTCP placement or withdraw from the residency program.
Special Education Residency Pathway students who complete the CLTCP will have their Bachelor's degree in Special Education (along with any minors or endorsements they earned as part of it), one full year of independent teaching experience, initial (standard) Michigan elementary certification with a K-12 Chinese endorsement, their specific special education endorsement, and a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum.
Financial support for students on the Special Education Residency Pathway consists of stipends, fellowships, and scholarships paid to their student accounts over the two-year program. Due to differing pathways to CLTCP completion as well as the requirements of post-baccalaureate programs, financial support will be handled on an individual basis with your advisor. U.S. citizens/residents participating in the CLTCP Special Education Residency Pathway are eligible to apply for the federal TEACH Grant for additional financial support. Please see the federal student TEACH grant website for the amount, terms and conditions associated with this grant.
The following is the anticipated course of study; it is subject to change due to course availability and other reasons. Permanent changes will be added to the website. Students should periodically check it to ensure they are aware of the expected course of study.
Enrollment is handled by the CLTCP program secretary except for courses that only count toward the MATC. If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact the program secretary at 517-884-6061 or cltcp@msu.edu.
At the end of the program, no matter the pathway taken, the typical candidate will have met the requirements for teacher certification in Michigan (see requirements below). In order to receive this certification, candidates must apply for the Michigan Provisional Certificate through the MSU Certification Office in 134 Erickson Hall.
Students who are completing any of the three residency pathways will apply for and complete the MATC program through MSU's Teacher Education Department for a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) as part of their curriculum. At the appropriate time in their first year, students will be prompted to contact the MATC program secretary (at matc@msu.edu) to complete the application process. In addition to satisfying the requirements for the teacher certification program, students admitted to the master's degree program must take additional graduate-level coursework to earn the master's degree (these courses are included in the schedules listed above).
To be eligible for certification, candidates must:
Depending on the pathway taken, additional requirements may be applicable. Please direct any questions to your CLTCP academic advisor or cltcp@msu.edu.
To apply for any of the CLTCP pathways, please visit our Admission Requirements page at the link below:
