The State of Michigan takes its name from the mishigamaa, an Ojibwa word for large lake or large water. It is commonly referred to as “the great lakes state” because four of the five Great Lakes form a substantial part of the state’s border. Michigan is best known for its role in the development of the automotive industry, and Detroit is still commonly referred to as the “motor city.” The role of manufacturing in Michigan, however, is on the decline. As such, quality education -- both K-12 and college -- continuously takes on greater importance in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Education defines virtual learning as a “non-traditional method of receiving academic instruction in courses, for which the pupil is registered, taken online through a computer over the Internet.” Online schools in Michigan are mostly intended for high school and college students, though younger students enrolled in a Michigan school district can generally take advantage of online courses with the supervision of an instructor. Middle school students, for example, can take classes through the Genesee Network for Education Telecommunications.
High school students can take courses from Michigan online schools, online community college programs, or online programs associated with their high schools. Michigan Virtual School, for example, provides online courses and other forms of academic support to students, teachers, and educational institutions at all levels in Michigan. To be eligible for classes from online schools, Michigan high school students must first seek approval for specific courses from the district school board. Homebound or home-schooled students can take advantage of online schools for the same price as students enrolled in that district’s public school system.
Many Michigan colleges allow students to complete all or part of their studies online. Michigan State University, one of Michigan’s largest research universities, offers more than 100 courses online, in areas ranging from criminal justice and language instruction to biomedical science and educational technology. Many other notable universities, including Central Michigan University and Wayne State University, also offer online classes. Such courses can generally be taken for credit as part of a degree program or for a certificate verifying that the student completed the course.
Public school programs, including online courses, are supported by tax money, the Michigan lottery, and several other sources of funding. Students enrolled in a Michigan public school district can often access online schools at little or no personal expense. College students taking online courses as part of a degree program can usually apply for federal financial aid through FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students can also apply for specific merit or need-based scholarships at their individual institutions, such as Michigan State University’s Lee Meyer scholarship for students coming from the Detroit area.
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
9600 E 13th St
Cadillac, MI 49601-9600
34950 Little Mack Ave
Clinton Township, MI 48035
2800 Springport Rd
Jackson, MI 49202-1290
1020 S Washington St
Owosso, MI 48867
3403 Lapeer Road
Port Huron, MI 48060
12214 W Lakeshore Dr
Brimley, MI 49715
3601 Plymouth Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2659
4090 Geddes Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
1001 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-5897
6191 Kraft Avenue S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49512-9396
26999 Central Park Blvd Ste 125
Southfield, MI 48076-4174
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
E 4946 Jackson Rd
Ironwood, MI 49938
1011 Aldon SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
143 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295
5101 Evergreen Rd
Dearborn, MI 48128-1495
1905 S. Haggerty Rd
Canton, MI 48188-2025
19855 W Outer Dr Ste L10W
Dearborn, MI 48124
6359 Miller Road
Swartz Creek, MI 48473
1522 E Big Beaver Rd
Troy, MI 48083-1905
1980 Metro Court S.W.
Wyoming, MI 49519
450 North Ave
Battle Creek, MI 49017-3397
10775 N Saint Helen Road
Roscommon, MI 48653
419 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI 48901-7210
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075-1058
36600 Schoolcraft Rd
Livonia, MI 48150-1176
8425 W McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221-2599
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
1701 E Front St
Traverse City, MI 49686
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI 48309-4401
7400 Bay Rd
University Center, MI 48710
1247 E. Siena Heights Dr
Adrian, MI 49221
19900 W Nine Mile Rd
Southfield, MI 48075
106 E. Main St
Spring Arbor, MI 49283-9799
450 North Ave
Battle Creek, MI 49017
4001 W McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221-3038
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
4901 Evergreen Rd
Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
303 E Kearsley
Flint, MI 48502-1950
5480 Corporate Dr Ste 240
Troy, MI 48098-2623
318 River Ridge Dr NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544-1683
3838 Livernois
Troy, MI 48083-5066
656 West Kirby Street
Detroit, MI 48202
3000 N Stiles Rd
Scottville, MI 49454-0277
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5167
101 E 13th St
Holland, MI 49423-3622
