Domestic violence classes by state · Michigan
Court-Ordered Domestic Violence Classes in Michigan
If a Michigan court ordered you into a domestic violence class, it almost certainly means the state's certified program — Batterer Intervention Program (BIP) that meets the Michigan Batterer Intervention Standards (minimum 26 weekly sessions; 52 recommended) — not a generic anger-management class. Here's what that program is, how long it runs, whether it can be done online, and how to find one your court will accept.
If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 911. To talk to someone about domestic violence — as a survivor or if you're worried about your own behavior — the National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.
Quick answer: domestic violence classes in Michigan
Varies by court / provider. A Michigan BIP is a group program of at least 26 weekly sessions of 90 minutes to two hours, built around accountability for abusive behavior — not a short anger-management class. Some programs on the BIPSCC list offer virtual or in-person-and-virtual services, but whether a virtual program is accepted is up to your court and probation officer, so confirm before you enroll. the Michigan court that sentenced you or your probation officer decides what counts — confirm the specific certified program and format before you enroll or pay.
Anger management is not the same thing. Read anger management vs. batterer intervention to make sure you sign up for the right program the first time.
At a glance
| What courts order | Batterer Intervention Program (BIP) that meets the Michigan Batterer Intervention Standards (minimum 26 weekly sessions; 52 recommended) |
|---|---|
| When it's required | Michigan judges order batterer intervention case by case — for example, as a condition of probation in a domestic violence case. For a first-offense domestic assault handled as a deferral, MCL 769.4a allows probation conditions that include a mandatory counseling program and lets the court order the accused to pay its reasonable costs. The statewide Batterer Intervention Standards describe what an acceptable program looks like. |
| Typical length | A minimum of 26 group sessions, completed over no less than 26 weeks (not counting intake); the Standards recommend 52 sessions or longer. Each group session runs at least 90 minutes and no more than two hours. |
| In person or online? | Varies by court / provider |
| Who certifies / approves it | Michigan has statewide Batterer Intervention Standards (created by the Governor's Task Force on Batterer Intervention Standards and distributed through the state's Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, now part of MDHHS), but no state agency licenses programs. Courts approve local providers — the court-system application for providership requires a program to follow the Standards and is subject to annual renewal. The Batterer Intervention Provider Standards Compliance Council (BIPSCC) publishes a list of programs that have submitted documentation that they meet the Standards. |
Michigan-specific rules to know
- CRITICAL DISTINCTION: a Michigan BIP is NOT a generic anger-management class. The Batterer Intervention Standards warn that treating a lack of anger-management skills as the primary cause of battering may be counterproductive (those skills may only be taught as part of a broader program), so an anger-management certificate generally will not satisfy a domestic-violence order.
- The Standards rule out couples or family counseling as the primary intervention, and say groups for batterers should not include women participants (mixed groups).
- The BIPSCC list is self-reported compliance: programs submit documentation that they meet the Standards, and BIPSCC states it does not do on-site assessments. Always confirm with your court that a listed program is accepted for your case.
- You pay: every program must have a written payment policy that includes provisions for people who cannot afford it, the intake and evaluation fee can be charged separately, and payment can be made a condition of probation. Billing insurance is strongly discouraged.
- Get written confirmation of the accepted program and format (in person or virtual) from the court or your probation officer before you pay.
Find an accepted domestic violence program in Michigan
A certified program is not the same as a class you find on your own, so the safest move is to confirm the specific provider with the Michigan court that sentenced you or your probation officer before you pay:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for certified domestic violence programs in Michigan — then check any provider against your court's order, and confirm it is on the certified/approved list, before enrolling.
Source & accuracy: compiled from official Michigan statutes and certifying-agency sources. Requirements change and vary by court and case — always confirm the certified program, format, length, and deadline with the court that ordered you before enrolling. Sources: michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Division-of-Victim-Services/Resources-for-Professionals/Batterer-Interventions/Batterer-Intervention-Standards-for-the-State-of-Michigan.pdf, courts.michigan.gov/4a7b63/siteassets/court-administration/standardsguidelines/bs_app.pdf, biscmi.org/what-is-bipscc/bipscc-approved-programs, legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-769-4a.