Teacher Education Preferred Admit (TEPA)

Why TEPA?

Explore education in your first two years of undergraduate study, be a part of a small community, work with young people, and get guaranteed admission into our junior-level program.

Express Your Interest

How to apply

Step 1: Apply to U-M

Apply to U-M Ann Arbor using either the Common Application or the Coalition Application.
When filling out the application, select “School of Education” under preferred admission.

Step 2: Confirm interest in TEPA

Complete the TEPA interest form.
Following the application deadline, the School of Education will reach out to you with more information.

TEPA

The School of Education (SOE) Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program is a week long service learning opportunity for SOE Teacher Education Preferred Admit (TEPA) students during the University of Michigan spring break. This is a great opportunity for TEPA students to bond with one another, gain education-related experience, and make a difference in the lives of students. In 2019 & 2020, ASB participants travelled to Chicago, IL. Contact Tim Golden (tbgolden@umich.edu) or Laura Mayers (lmayers@umich.edu) with questions.

Where can TEPA take you?

Sharae Franklin

Advice for future TEPA students
Never put teaching and the field of education in a box. There are countless opportunities that are already available as well as chances for you to create your own. Try to find classes or volunteer positions where you can be in the classroom and work closely with the age of students you are considering teaching. At the University of Michigan, I took a course called Ann Arbor Language Partnership (A2LP) where I was able to work with a partner and teach Spanish classes to third grade students. This provided an introduction to critical elements of teaching such as lesson planning and classroom management. A2LP, in cumulation with the informative, encouraging, and supportive events provided in TEPA, helped me make my final decision to pursue a teaching degree. TEPA was a program that helped me gain more confidence in my potential of becoming a successful educator. Now, I am teaching overseas at an international school in Bahrain!

Although the field of education can be difficult at times, there is something so beautiful and fulfilling in knowing that each day I have another chance to share love and wisdom with my students in hopes that they one day also achieve their dreams just as I have begun to. The world of teaching is changing, and I believe that people are beginning to see the importance and need of the work we do. So, do not give up, and always remember why you want to become a teacher. Let that be the fuel that allows you to push through, and the fruit from it will be more than you can imagine. All the best, and GO BLUE!

Major: Elementary Education with Mathematics Concentration

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Lawrence Teng

Advice for future TEPA students
One of the reasons that TEPA is an amazing program, and the School of Education in general, is that it gives you access to so many knowledgeable faculty and staff who are doing research and teaching around critical issues in education today. Take advantage of this opportunity by asking them as many questions as possible, from education topics to personal advice. You will learn lessons and form relationships that last a lifetime.

Major: B.A. Mathematics with Teacher Certification

Hometown: El Cerrito, CA

See what the SOE is all about

Interested in an Education degree or teacher certification, but unsure of your commitment? All students interested in Education can take the following courses: