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Minnesota Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in Minnesota

There are multiple avenues toward Minnesota teacher certification for eligible candidates who would like to start a career as a teacher. Traditionally, prospective teachers will complete an educator-preparation program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher from a state-endorsed college or university. Alternatively, professionals who have a bachelor’s degree in another field may be eligible for one of the alternative certification programs offered by the Minnesota Board of Education. These options include an intensive training and mentoring program as well as the relatively new Licensure via Portfolio program.

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DeVry University

Popular Programs:

  • Master's-Education
  • Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
  • Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
  • Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership

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Minnesota Teacher Education Requirements

Minnesota State SealLike most states, Minnesota requires that their prospective teachers complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and some type of teacher-preparation program before they can be granted an official teaching license. A new exception to this rule is the Licensure via Portfolio program. Although a bachelor’s degree is still required with this option, the candidate’s professional skills and experience are the basis for certification and may obviate the need for a formal teacher preparation program. Licensed teachers may also need to continue their education either formally or through professional development opportunities offered by their state or district in order to maintain or upgrade their current teaching certificate.

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Profiles of Well Known Schools

University of Minnesota: Holding true to its vision that the Center for Teaching and Learning leads to a community that is properly and effectively serviced through commitment and a spirit of excellence, the University of Minnesota is ranked as a leader in education among the midwestern states. All levels of degrees are conferred at the University of Minnesota, including the bachelor of science, master of science and doctoral degree in all facets of education, as well as teaching and learning. Professional credentials, such as principal programming and special education are available through the well-respected Department of Education. The University of Minnesota is known throughout the region as graduating well-prepared teachers who enter the industry will to work hard and pursue their dreams to educate young people.

University of Minnesota, Crookston: The Liberal Arts and Education Department at University of Minnesota, Crookston confers two degrees on future educators: A BS in Early Childhood Education and a BS in Elementary Education. The Early Childhood Education curriculum focuses on training students to meet the educational needs of children from newborns up through eight years of age (3rd grade) using a developmental approach. When combined with an emphasis in primary education, students are qualified to apply for licensure as teachers within the state of Minnesota. The university’s advanced Early Childhood facility is a recognized benefit for students, allowing them to gain laboratory and practical experience working with younger children. The Elementary Education program prepares students to teach children from kindergarten through grade six. Emphasizing career skills, this program provides students with hands-on learning and practice experiences guided by full-time faculty. Before completion of the degree, students take the Teacher Performance Assessment, a national assessment that analyzes a student’s preparedness to teach.

Walden University: Walden University offers a variety of teacher preparation programs and confers bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs that surround the education and teaching scope. The bachelor degree within the College of Education is offered as a Bachelor of Science in child development and Bachelor of Science in educational studies. For those students who wish to continue their education into an accredited graduate program may select from a Master of Science degree in early childhood studies, education or higher education. Teacher and principal preparation programs are also offered at the K-12 level. Professional students may receive credentials within the teacher readiness program or continue their education to become an expert in the field of education through the doctoral program. Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or Ph.D. in Education are both offered at Walden.

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Minnesota Teacher Outlook as of 2012
In January 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Minnesota’s unemployment rate at 6.4%, considerably lower than the national average of 8.5%. The Occupational Supply & Demand System projects 3,533 annual job opportunities in Minnesota in education and library related fields through 2018. The National Center for Education Statistics reports 53,083 public school and 7,180 private school teachers employed in Minnesota in 2008 and 2007 respectively. The beginning teaching salary is $32,315 and the overall average teaching salary is $53,680, the 19th highest among states according to the National Education Association. The NEA reports teacher shortages in special education, world languages and math. Because of growing populations, particularly in the South and West regions of Minnesota, kindergarten and elementary school enrollment is expected to increase through 2015. However, new educators may face tough competition for teaching jobs as many school districts have been forced to increase layoffs due to recent budget reductions. For updates on budget allocation and education policy, visit Education Minnesota. Please contact local teaching and education schools for more information regarding certification and employment opportunity.

Minnesota Teacher Testing Requirements

Candidates seeking Minnesota teaching certification must undergo basic skills, pedagogical, and subject area testing via the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE). All candidates seeking initial certification regardless of the grade level and content area must take the Basic Skills and Pedagogy test. These tests assess the candidate’s knowledge of fundamentals in reading, writing, math, and principles of teaching and learning. In addition, candidates for certification must take a Content Area test which is determined by the subject area and grade level the candidate wishes to teach.

Minnesota Teacher Salary and Jobs

Type Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Preschool Teachers 6,890 $32,050
Kindergarten Teachers 3,140 $50,850
Elementary School Teachers 25,200 $57,230
Middle School Teachers 10,520 $55,110
Secondary School Teachers 16,290 $55,720

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Minnesota

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

California University of Pennsylvania

Popular Programs:

  • MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
  • Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
  • Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
  • Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
  • And more...
Brandman University Online

Popular Programs:

  • MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
  • BA in Early Childhood Education
  • MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
  • MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
  • And more...
Concordia University Online

Popular Programs:

  • B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
  • M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
  • Special Education (Early Childhood/Elementary)
  • Educational Administration: (EDD)
  • And more...
Penn Foster Schools

Popular Programs:

  • Teacher Aide
Colorado Technical University Online

Popular Programs:

  • Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
  • Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Minnesota

Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 330-1000
www.augsburg.edu/day/

Bemidji State University
1500 Birchmont Dr
Bemidji, MN 56601
(800) 475-2001
www.bemidjistate.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “In a world full of phenomenal schools, Bemidji is a force to be reckoned with, and their education programs are no exception. The staff are all passionate and caring about their students, and the environment is warm, friendly, and welcoming. We are constantly learning new and innovative methods, and every day is a new adventure. The school assigns us to go on practicums to the local schools, where we work first hand with students, and observe professionals at work. The school also has a very welcoming approach with the community, which gives us more opportunity to teach and learn, making the experience even more valuable. Choosing a school was not an easy task, but if I could go back again, I know I wouldn’t choose any other school than Bemidji.” -Josh M., student at Bemidji State University

Bethel University
3900 Bethel Dr
Saint Paul, MN 55112-6902
(651) 638-6400
cas.bethel.edu/admissions/contact-us.html

Century Community and Technical College
3300 Century Ave N
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 770-3200
www.century.edu/futurestudents/admissions/default.aspx

College of St Catherine
2004 Randolph Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 690-6000
www.stkate.edu/admissions/

Concordia College at Moorhead
901 S 8th St
Moorhead, MN 56562
(218) 299-4100
www.cord.edu/admissions1.php

Concordia University-Saint Paul
275 Syndicate Street North
Saint Paul, MN 55104-5494
(651) 641-8278
www.csp.edu/admission/

Crown College
8700 College View Drive
Saint Bonifacius, MN 55375-9001
(952) 446-4100

Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498
(507) 933-8000
admission.gustavus.edu/admissions/default.asp

Hamline University
1536 Hewitt Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
(651) 523-2800
www.hamline.edu/hamline_info/admissions/admissions.html

Mesabi Range Community and Technical College
1001 Chestnut St W
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-3095
www.mr.mnscu.edu

Metropolitan State University
700 E Seventh St
Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000
(651) 793-1212
www.metrostate.edu/admissions/

Minnesota State Community and Technical College
1414 College Way
Fergus Falls, MN 56537-1000
(218) 736-1500
www.minnesota.edu/admissions/

Minnesota State University-Mankato
South Rd and Ellis Ave
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-1866
www.mnsu.edu/admissions/

Minnesota State University-Moorhead
1104 7th Ave S
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-4000
www.mnstate.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “Minnesota State University in Moorhead has been a whirlwind of great experiences. It has a small and beautiful campus with a relatively small student population. Generally the professors are very encouraging, communicative and driven to make their students succeed. There are some downsides to the college, however. The food is average at best and there is no longer wireless Internet in the dorms. Probably the biggest disadvantage of all is the temperature of northern Minnesota, which is bitterly cold, windy, and makes walking to class a chore at times. All things considered it is a lovely campus and a wonderful place to meet friends and grow as an individual.” -Asher S., student at Minnesota State University-Moorhead

Minnesota West Community and Technical College
1593 11th Ave
Granite Falls, MN 56241
(320) 564-4511
www.mnwest.edu/admissions/

Northland Community and Technical College
1101 Hwy # 1 East
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 683-8800

Northwestern College-Saint Paul
3003 Snelling Ave N
Saint Paul, MN 55113-1598
(651) 631-5100
www.nwc.edu/admissions

Pillsbury Baptist Bible College
315 S Grove
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 451-2710

Ridgewater College
2101 15th Ave NW
Willmar, MN 56201
(800) 722-1151

https://www.ridgewater.edu/admissions/Pages/Home.aspx

Rochester Community and Technical College
851 30th Ave SE
Rochester, MN 55904-4999
(507) 285-7210
www.rctc.edu/admissions/index.html

Saint Cloud State University
720 Fourth Ave. South
Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4498
(320) 308-0121
www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u/

Student Review: “For the most part I’ve enjoyed my experience at St. Cloud State. I learned about a lot of different aspects of teaching. I loved my professors. There were a couple of professors that I had a difficult experience with, where I didn’t get the grade I was looking for, but I think you’re going to have that problem at whatever school or program you get enrolled in. I have mixed feelings because I’ve noticed that a lot of my class material is online. I like how it saves trees but I sometimes question whether or not it’s as good as learning in a classroom. I feel like the technology used in learning facilities such as St. Cloud State’s should become more interactive for the students and professors, where communication is easier. As a student of education, I believe that having interaction between both is going to facilitate the most learning, as opposed to just reading slide shows as a lot of online classes do.” -Keith W., student at Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud Technical College
1540 Northway Drive
Saint Cloud, MN 56303-1240
(320) 308-5000
www.sctc.edu/admissions

Saint Marys University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights
Winona, MN 55987-1399
(507) 457-1600
www.smumn.edu/sitepages/pid2173.php

Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State St
Marshall, MN 56258-5468
(507) 537-7021
www.smsu.edu/Admission/

St. Olaf College
1520 St Olaf Ave
Northfield, MN 55057-1098
(507) 786-2222
www.stolaf.edu/admissions/

The College of Saint Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Ave
Duluth, MN 55811-4199
(218) 723-6000
www.css.edu/Admissions.html

University of Minnesota-Crookston
2900 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716-5001
(800) 862-6466
www.umcrookston.edu/admissions/

University of Minnesota-Duluth
515 Darland Administration Bldg
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 726-8000
www.d.umn.edu/admissions/

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
100 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0213
(612) 625-5000

University of St Thomas-Saint Paul
2115 Summit Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105-1078
(651) 962-5000
www.stthomas.edu/admissions/

Walden University
155 Fifth Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(800) 925-3368

Winona State University
8th and Johnson St
Winona, MN 55987-5838
(507) 457-5000

Page edited by Charles Sipe.

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