English Composition 1
A general education course nearly every college plan includes.
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →MichiganTeachers
Michigan substitute teaching permit: the 60 college credits and how to finish them
Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The short answer
A Michigan substitute teaching permit needs at least 60 semester hours of college credit or an associate degree, under MCL 380.1233(5). MDE counts credits with a grade of C or better from colleges recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education, and they can come from more than one college. The school district applies for the permit, not you.
The rule
Under MCL 380.1233(5) a Michigan district may employ a substitute without a teaching certificate who has at least 60 semester hours of college credit or an associate degree, and the 60 hours do not need to come from the same college; MDE counts hours with a grade of C or better from colleges recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education.
The rule asks for 60 semester hours (or an associate degree). The legal source is MCL 380.1233(5).
| Requirement | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Credit | At least 60 semester hours of college credit, or an associate degree | [1] |
| Where the hours come from | Do not need to be from the same college, university or community college | [1] |
| Grade and college | C or better; colleges recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education | [2] |
| Who applies | The school district or nonpublic school requests the permit | [3] |
| Length | No more than 90 consecutive calendar days in the same assignment; not renewable, limited extensions | [3] |
Who decides
Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of Educator Excellence, which issues substitute permits on a school district's request decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Which credits count
What counts
- Semester hours of college credit with a grade of C or better, from two- or four-year colleges recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education.
- Hours from several colleges added together: the law says the 60 do not need to come from one place.
- An associate degree, which meets the rule on its own.
What does not count
- Grades below C, which MDE does not count toward the 60.
- Course certificates from a provider that is not a college; MDE reviews credit on a college transcript, so outside credit has to be recorded there first.
- Hours you apply for yourself: the district or nonpublic school requests the permit.
Courses that fit
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of Educator Excellence, which issues substitute permits on a school district's request.
College Algebra
A math course that also helps if you later move toward a degree.
Self-paced online College Algebra course (Math 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Psychology
A common social science course for future educators.
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Educational Psychology
Directly related to classroom work as a substitute.
Self-paced online Educational Psychology course (Psychology 120). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
US History 1
A history course that fits most general education plans.
Self-paced online US History 1 course (HIST 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Another common social science course.
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →The path via a college transcript
- Count what you already haveGather every college transcript and add up the semester hours with a C or better. Quarter hours convert to fewer semester hours, so ask the district how it counts them.
- Ask in writing before you enrolAsk the district's HR office, or MDE, in writing whether hours from ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses would count once they are on a college transcript.
- Close the gap at your own paceOn PRO you can take general education courses such as English Composition, College Algebra and Introduction to Psychology, one after another, for one monthly price.
- Put the credit on a college transcriptThe credit reaches MDE via a college transcript: a college that considers recommended credit reviews your courses and records any credit it awards. Then the district applies for your permit.
TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; a partner college can review your courses and, if it awards credit, show it on its own transcript for the district and MDE to review.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
What it costs
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | $99 for each month you are subscribed; take as many courses as you finish in that time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Macomb Community College (Macomb County resident) | $113 per billable contact hour, fall 2026 to spring/summer 2027, before fees | About $1,356 in tuition for 12 hours (four 3-hour courses), plus registration and technology fees | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Sophia Learning membership | $99 a month, or $299 for four months | Membership covers its own online courses; you still need a college to record the credit | 15 Nov 2026 |
A community college puts the hours straight on a college transcript. An online route can cost less per course, but only counts once a college records the credit and the district or MDE agrees it fits.
What UPI Study cannot do here
- UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited; it does not issue Michigan permits or decide which hours MDE counts.
- UPI Study cannot apply for a permit for you: the district or nonpublic school requests it.
- A UPI Study course is not a college transcript on its own; the credit has to be reviewed and recorded by a college first.
- Nothing here changes the 90-day limit or the extension rules in R 390.1142.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
Confirm in writing first
Ask the district's HR office or MDE in writing whether hours from the named ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses would count toward the 60 once they are on a college transcript, before you enrol.
Substitute teaching in Michigan requirements, in plain words
Michigan law lets a district hire a substitute without a teaching certificate if that person has at least 60 semester hours of college credit or an associate degree. The rule sits in MCL 380.1233(5). The Michigan Department of Education adds that the hours must carry a grade of C or better and come from two- or four-year colleges recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education.
The 60 hours used to be 90. The change to 60 dates from 2018, and the law now says plainly that the hours do not have to come from one college. That matters if your credits are spread across a community college, a university you left, and some newer courses.
How a Michigan substitute permit is issued
You do not apply to MDE yourself. A school district or nonpublic school, or the staffing agency working for it, requests the permit once it decides to hire you. Under R 390.1142 a daily substitute permit is valid for no more than 90 consecutive calendar days in the same assignment and is not renewable, although the district can ask for limited extensions.
Because the district files the request, the district's HR office is the right place to check your transcripts before you plan new courses. Ask them how they count your current hours and whether they would count hours from recommended courses recorded on a college transcript.
Short of 60 credits? Ways to close the gap
Many people who want to substitute teach are a semester or two short. Start by counting hours with a C or better on every transcript you have. Then pick the cheapest route the district will count.
- Finish the associate degree you started, if you are close: it meets the rule on its own
- Take the missing courses at a Michigan community college
- Take online ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses and have a college that considers recommended credit review them, after the district agrees in writing
- Mix the routes: the hours do not have to come from one college
Questions people ask
how many credits to be a substitute teacher in michigan
At least 60 semester hours of college credit, or an associate degree, under MCL 380.1233(5). MDE counts hours with a grade of C or better from colleges recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education. The hours can come from more than one college.
how to get a substitute teaching permit in michigan
Get hired by a district, nonpublic school or staffing agency, and it requests the permit from MDE for you. You supply college transcripts showing at least 60 semester hours with a C or better, or an associate degree. The district handles the request.
what do you need to substitute teach in michigan
You need 60 semester hours of college credit with a C or better, or an associate degree, and a district willing to request a permit for you. Districts also run their own hiring checks. Ask the district's HR office what else it needs from you.
can my 60 credits come from different colleges in michigan
Yes. MCL 380.1233(5) says the 60 semester hours do not need to be from the same college, university or community college. Each college must be recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education, and each grade must be C or better.
how long does a michigan daily substitute permit last
Under R 390.1142 it is valid for no more than 90 consecutive calendar days in the same assignment and is not renewable. A district can ask for limited extensions, and a new permit is requested for each school year.
can online courses count toward the 60 hours for a michigan substitute permit
Online college courses can count if a recognised college records them with a C or better. Recommended credit from a provider that is not a college must first be reviewed by a college and shown on its transcript. Ask the district in writing before you enrol.
Read next
- How to substitute teach in Michigan with 60 creditsTo become a substitute teacher in Michigan, you need at least 60 semester hours of college credit with a C or better, or an associate degree. Then a...
- Does Michigan count transfer credit toward the 60 hours?Yes, Michigan adds up credit from more than one college. MCL 380.1233(5) says the 60 semester hours do not need to come from the same college. MDE...
The same topic in nearby states
Ready when you have it in writing
Check with your district in writing first, then finish the courses it will count at your own pace.
Sources
- Michigan Legislature: MCL 380.1233 (Revised School Code) (official)Subsection (5): a board may employ a substitute without a teaching certificate who has at least 60 semester hours of college credit or an associate degree from a college, university or community college; the 60 hours do not need to be from the same institution. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Michigan Department of Education: Permits (official)The daily substitute permit requires 60 semester hours of satisfactory credit, grade C or better, from two- or four-year colleges or universities recognised by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Mich. Admin. Code R 390.1142: Daily substitute permitThe permit is issued at a district's or nonpublic school's request for a person who meets MCL 380.1233(5); it is valid for no more than 90 consecutive calendar days in the same assignment and is not renewable, with limited extensions. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Macomb Community College: 2026-27 tuition announcement (official)Macomb County resident tuition stays at $113 per billable contact hour for fall 2026 through spring/summer 2027. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Macomb Community College: 2026-27 tuitionPrice for Macomb Community College (Macomb County resident), checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Sophia Learning: Plans and pricingPrice for Sophia Learning membership, checked on 15 Nov 2026.