New pathway allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree and complete student teaching in Northern Michigan
North Central Michigan College (NCMC) and the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) have established a new 2+2 transfer pathway for future secondary school teachers, allowing students to complete their bachelor's degrees online and student teaching in Northern Michigan.
Building on an existing partnership in elementary education, the new agreement allows students to complete an Associate of Arts with a concentration in Secondary Teacher Education at NCMC before transferring to UM-Dearborn to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education. Students can choose from three pathways: English language arts, integrated science, and social studies.
Students complete their first two years at North Central and their remaining coursework online through UM-Dearborn. Student teaching can also be completed in Northern Michigan schools, eliminating the need to relocate.
"Expanding this partnership into secondary education gives our students even more opportunities to begin their education close to home and continue toward a bachelor’s degree without having to leave Northern Michigan," said NCMC Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Stephen Strom. "We are creating pathways that can help prepare talented educators for the very schools and communities that need them."
Michele Andrews, NCMC dean of business, education and adjunct faculty, said the agreement extends opportunities previously established for students pursuing elementary education degrees.
"We are extending that opportunity to future secondary educators," Andrews said. "Students who want to teach English, science, or social studies can now begin that journey at North Central, remain connected to their communities, and see a clear pathway."
The agreement identifies course equivalencies to help students plan their transfer to UM-Dearborn. Students are encouraged to work with advisors at both institutions to ensure they meet degree and transfer requirements.
"We are already seeing evidence of lives changed as North Central Michigan College students, with their associate’s degrees in hand, come to the University of Michigan-Dearborn to earn their bachelor’s degrees and certification for elementary or secondary teaching," said Danielle DeFauw, chair of the Department of Education in UM-Dearborn’s College of Education, Health & Human Services. "We are delighted that we already have eight students enrolled in the Winter 2027 semester, half of whom are NCMC graduates."
The new secondary education pathway opens for enrollment in Winter 2027.