Do you want to bring Hope to the world? Do you dream of becoming a teacher? Does the opportunity to make a difference drive your passion for working with children and young adults? If education is your calling, the Hope College education department will help turn your aspiration into a reality through our Teacher Preparation Programs.

The education department offers nationally accredited programs leading to professional certification. Graduates are prepared to “hit the ground running,” making a difference right from the start.

Hope’s Educator Preparation Program is arranged in three levels that you will progress through during your four-year journey. Graduates will gain valuable classroom experience and earn certification to teach in either elementary, secondary, or K–12 with additional special education endorsements or minors, like Early Childhood or English as a Second Language.

Level 1Exploring a Career in Education

All prospective teachers begin with the same three courses, which incorporate clinical experiences that relate to the coursework. Once completed, students may apply to the education department at Hope College. The focus is learning about education and the teaching profession and discerning whether teaching is for you. 

Level 2Committing to an Education Major

During this time, the focus is on learning how to teach, practicing pedagogical learning and developing lessons and units through various methods. Students must apply to the department in order to take Level 2 Education courses.

Newly accepted students choose between elementary, secondary, or K–12 certification bands.

Level 3Student Teaching

Students must apply to and complete Student Teaching, a semester-long, all-day clinical experience, and the Educatior Preparation Program culminating experience. Successful completion is required to become a certified teacher by the Michigan Department of Education.