The Master of Education/Initial Licensure program is for individuals with bachelor’s degrees who want to become licensed teachers. This graduate-level program provides rigorous, professional teacher preparation in accordance with the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT) and content standards adopted in fall 1998 by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. The program is offered through the Department of Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).

Clinical experiences create a strong experiential base in which to apply the principles and methods learned in University classes. Included is preparation on understanding student learning, working with diverse learners, using a variety of instructional strategies, creating positive learning environments, communication, lesson planning, assessment, reflection and professional development, and collaboration, ethics, and relationships.

An important advantage of this program is its cohort nature. Students in each cohort begin classes together and continue through their course of study as a single group, building a valuable sense of community. Throughout their clinical experiences, prospective teachers work closely with experienced teachers, observing first-hand the daily rewards and challenges of the profession.

This program includes two components: initial licensure and the M.Ed. degree. After successfully completing initial licensure requirements, students are recommended for state licensure in Minnesota to teach elementary education (grades K-6). After completing a year of teaching and the capstone project course, students are awarded a master of education (M.Ed.) degree in teaching. Students have seven years to complete their degree, beginning with the first course(s) in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 grade point average (GPA) for M.Ed. courses.

Students take approximately 18 credits per term. Current tuition rates are listed on the CEHD Tuition, Costs, and Aid page.

Our Career Services office helps students write resumes, hone job search skills, and practice interviewing. Their website also offers a wealth of information about job outlooks and salaries.

Admission criteria

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

• Prerequisite courses for content area knowledge:
  • Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area they plan to teach. This knowledge is recognized through completion of prerequisite courses.
  • A transcript review can be completed before applying. To have your transcript(s) reviewed, please email a copy of all unofficial transcripts to the Prospective Graduate Student Adviser and Recruiter, Jontue Austin.
  • Please allow two weeks for a completed transcript review to be emailed to you.
  • If your transcript is from outside of the United States, you must arrange for a national evaluation (see #3 under the Application materials heading below).
• Grade point average (GPA):
  • Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA and 3.00 GPA in major coursework at the time of application. Bachelor’s degree must be completed at the time of matriculation.
  • Bachelor’s degree must be completed at the time the program begins.
• Classroom hours:
  • Minimum requirement is 100 hours in the classroom. Competitive applicants have significant experiences with diverse populations both inside and outside of a classroom setting. We consider experiences with diverse populations to be within an environment or situation different from that which you are familiar (e.g., race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, language, religion, geography, sexuality, special needs). Hours from undergraduate practicum experiences in elementary schools may be used to fulfill this requirement.
  • Must be completed within grades K-6 in a U.S. public or charter school.
  • U of M Elementary Education Foundations and Early Childhood Education Foundations undergraduate students: hours from undergraduate practicum experiences in elementary schools may be used to fulfill this requirement.
  • For more information about this requirement, see the Classroom experience website.
  • These hours are to be documented on the Classroom Hours form [PDF] [WORD DOC].
  • This form will be uploaded into the application system when you apply.
• Additional related experiences
  • Additional related experiences are considered to be outside of a classroom setting and related to the field of teaching.
  • Although there is no minimum hour requirement for additional experiences, competitive applicants have significant experiences with diverse populations both inside and outside of a classroom setting. We consider experiences with diverse populations to be within an environment or situation different from that which you are familiar (e.g., race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, language, religion, geography, sexuality, special needs).
  • These experiences are outside of the required classroom hours and are to be documented on the Additional Related Experiences form [PDF] [WORD DOC].
  • This form will be uploaded into the application system when you apply.
• Admission statements
  • There are three statements required to complete the application:

  QUESTION A: Experience with difference

  Please describe a specific experience in your life that required you to navigate through an environment or situation different from that which you are familiar. How did you approach this experience? What did you learn? Note that the experience you describe may reflect difference across dimensions such as race, socio-economic status, gender, language, religion, geography, sexuality, special needs.

  QUESTION B: Educational disparities

  Disparity in educational outcomes is a major challenge in Minnesota. How do you account for these disparities? How do you view your role as a future educator in addressing educational disparities?

  QUESTION C: Becoming a teacher

  Discuss your life and work experiences that have influenced your decision to become a teacher.

  • Write statements as separate documents (e.g., Question A is one document, Question B is a separate document, etc.), save them separately to your computer, and upload them separately into the application system.
  • Each statement should be no longer than 2 double-spaced pages with 12 point font.
  • At the top of the statement page, include your name and the question title (e.g., Question A: experience with difference).
  • For tips on writing an effective personal statement, watch the Writing effective personal statements online workshop.
  • Please visit your writing center for feedback on your statements, as CEHD staff are unable to provide this service.
  • We will evaluate your statements to:
    • Ensure best fit between applicants and proposed Initial Licensure Program
    • Capture ability and experiences not reflected in other admission materials
    • Evaluate academic writing skills

How to apply

Two different groups apply to the M.Ed./initial licensure program:

1. Students and graduates of elementary education foundations and early childhood foundations: These applicants have completed or are completing the separate CEHD undergraduate program in elementary education foundations or early childhood foundations with preparation for elementary licensure. This group typically completes the M.Ed./ILP program in two semesters. (Note: Early childhood foundations students must have completed all the prerequisite coursework for the elementary ILP during their undergraduate program.)
2. All other applicants: These applicants have not completed the undergraduate elementary education foundations program. This group typically completes the M.Ed./ILP program in 3 semesters (about 13 months).

Although both groups apply through the Online application system, there are some differences in deadlines and required materials for the two groups; please be sure to follow directions appropriate for your situation.

Application process for elementary education foundation and early childhood foundations students

Students in the elementary education foundations and early childhood foundations undergraduate majors who have completed all prerequisites for the elementary ILP are not required to submit recommendation letters or transcripts (unless you took a course outside of the U of MN and have not transferred those credits to the University). Remember that you must have a minimum of 2.8 overall GPA and satisfactory professional competency reviews to qualify for admission (for more information about competency reviews, talk with your faculty adviser).

• Apply Online
  • Be sure to save your PIN number and password, so that you can work on the application over time.
  • Take your time and follow instructions carefully! Once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change information or upload required supplemental material.
  • As your application is reviewed, you will receive email notifications of your status.
  • Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.
• Submit the following three required application materials (listed below)
  • You will only upload materials listed below into the “Additional Program Specific Uploads – Initial licensure program” section – please disregard all other sections requesting information

1. Classroom Hours form (upload into the application system in the “classroom experience form” section.) Hours from undergraduate practicum experiences in elementary schools may be used to fulfill this requirement.
2. Additional Related Experiences form (upload into the application system in the "additional related experiences form" section
3. Three Admission Statements
   • Each statement is to be uploaded into the application system separately under the “Additional Program Specific Uploads – Initial licensure program” section for “Question A”, “Question B”, and “Question C”.

Deadlines: Elementary Education Foundations students and graduates and Early Childhood Education Foundations students or graduates who have completed all Elementary ILP prerequisite coursework have the option of starting the M.Ed./ILP during either the spring or fall term. Your undergraduate degree must be complete prior to starting the program.

Fall: Application due December 15 Degree complete by June 30

Spring: Application due September 15 Degree complete by December 31

Students who complete their undergraduate degree at the end of summer term may apply for spring admission into the program.

Application process for all other applicants

For those who do not have an Elementary Education Foundations degree from the U of MN, you will need to submit the following materials:

• Apply Online
  • Be sure to save your PIN number and password, so that you can work on the application over time.
  • Take your time and follow instructions carefully! Once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change information or upload required supplemental material.
  • As your application is reviewed, you will receive email notifications of your status.
  • Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.
• Submit all six required application materials (listed below)
  • You will only upload materials listed below into the “Additional Program Specific Uploads – Initial licensure program” section – please disregard all other sections requesting information

Application Materials

1. Transcripts
   • Submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended
     (except the University of Minnesota) to:
     
     • CEHD Student Services – ILP Admissions
       360 Education Sciences Building
       56 East River Road
       Minneapolis, MN 55455
   • If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center by requesting a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take 4-6 weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). You can, however, use any provider that is an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
2. Classroom Hours form [PDF] [WORD DOC]
   • The purpose of this form is to record the required classroom hours completed within the appropriate grade level in a U.S. public or charter school.
   • Complete this form, save it to your computer, and upload it into the “classroom experience form” section of the application system.
   • All other experiences need to be listed on the Additional Related Experiences form (see below).
3. Additional Related Experiences form [PDF] [WORD DOC]
   • The purpose of this form is to document paid or unpaid non-classroom experiences that you consider to be related to you desire to pursue a career in teaching (e.g., tutoring, mentoring, Peace Corp work, volunteer work outside of a classroom, etc.)
   • ccomplete this form, save it to your computer, and upload it into the "additional related experiences form" section of the application system.
4. Admission Statements
   • Each statement is to be uploaded into the application system separately under the “Additional Program Specific Uploads – Initial licensure program” section for “Question A”, “Question B”, and “Question C”.
   • For information on the admission statement questions, please see the "Admissions Criteria" tab.
   • Be sure to put your name on each page of your statements.
   • At the top of the statement page, include the question number and title (e.g.; Question A: experience with difference).
   • Write statements as separate documents (e.g., Question A is one document, Question B is a separate document, etc.), save them separately to your computer, and upload them separately into the application system.
   • For writing tips, watch the writing effective personal statements online workshop.
   • Please visit your writing center for feedback on your statements, ad CEHD staff are unable to provide this service.
5. Two Letters of Recommendation
   • These letters should address your education-related experiences, work style, and personal attributes.
   • One letter must be from a K-6 site supervisor listed on your Classroom Hours form.
   • These will be requested and submitted through the application system.
6. Application fee
• This fee is charged when you submit your application and is required for each application you submit.
• Fees must be paid online with a credit card.

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students

• Submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Register for the test and submit scores here: http://www.ets.org/toefl/.
• Exceptions may be granted for applicants who will have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.
• Minimum TOEFL score requirements are listed below:

• Applicants may also be required to demonstrate spoken English proficiency in an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and/or oral interview with faculty or staff. Contact Student Services for more information.
• International applicants who will require an I-20 for a student visa must submit a Financial Certification Statement, which will be mailed to you upon admission to the program.
• Questions regarding the TOEFL should be directed to TOEFL Services, Inside the U.S. and Canada: 1-877-863-3546, Outside the U.S. and Canada: 1-609-771-7100

Deadlines: Those who have not completed the undergraduate elementary education foundations program at the U of MN may apply to the M.Ed./initial licensure program only for summer term admission. Application materials are due December 15 (undergraduate degree must be complete by June 30).

Curriculum

The curriculum for the licensure portion of the program includes common content/foundational courses, methods courses, and extensive clinical experiences in the elementary classroom. Coursework is integrated into a co-teaching model with the prospective teachers spending a large portion of their time in the classroom with an experienced elementary teacher in the fall and spring semesters.

NOTE: Before starting clinical experiences, students are subject to a criminal background check. The investigation is conducted by a private agency contracted by the college and is designed to meet school district guidelines governing adults with responsibility for children. Decisions about candidate placement will be made by the district approving the assignment.

Common Content/Foundations (these courses are taken as part of the Elementary Education Foundations undergraduate curriculum, or as part of the first summer session for all other students)
• CI 5111—Introduction to Elementary School Teaching (3 cr)
• EDHD 5001—Learning, Cognition, and Assessment (3 cr)
• EDHD 5003—Developmental and Individual Differences in Educational Contexts (2 cr)
• EDHD 5004—Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings (2 cr) (Note: Elementary Education Foundations majors take the Special Education block in lieu of this course)
• EDHD 5005—School and Society (2 cr)
• EDHD 5007—Technology for Teaching and Learning (1.5 cr)
• EDHD 5009—Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society (1 cr)
• PUBH 6003—Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1 cr)

Methods and Applied Practice
• CI 5425—Reading Instruction in Elementary Grades (3 cr)
• CI 5426—Language Arts Instruction in the Elementary Grades(3 cr)
• CI 5502—Teaching Science and Health in the Elementary School (3 cr)
• CI 5702—Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School (3 cr)
• CI 5822—Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (3 cr)
• CI 5645—Teaching English Language Learners in the Elementary School (3 cr)
• CI 5285—Clinical Experience in Elementary School Teaching (12 cr) During the first term of student teaching, students alternate between 2 weeks in the elementary classroom and then 2 weeks in their own courses. In the second term of student teaching, students spend full days, five days per week, in the elementary classroom.
• CI 5286—Student Teaching Seminar (3 cr)

Testing

The Minnesota Board of Teaching requires licensure applicants to pass the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLE). These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking MTLE tests by the required deadlines. All tests must be passed in order for the student to be recommended by CEHD for teaching licensure.

• MTLE Basic Skills: Students must take this test and submit official scores to the CEHD Student Services office before starting the licensure program.
• MTLE Content Area Test: Elementary Education (Grades K-6). This exam is generally taken prior to the final semester of student teaching.
• MTLE Pedagogy Test: Elementary (Grades K-6). This exam is generally taken during the final semester of student teaching.

Applying for Licensure

Once students satisfactorily complete all coursework and testing, they may apply for licensure.

M.Ed. completion

Requirements for finishing the M.Ed. after completing the licensure portion of the program depend on the year in which you began your M.Ed./ILP program.

For students who began the M.Ed./ILP in spring 2011 or earlier:

After teaching for at least one year, you can earn your M.Ed. degree by completing the following courses with at least a 2.80 overall GPA.
• One 2-credit elective course selected in consultation with your faculty adviser
• CI 5187—Practicum: Improvement of Teaching in Elementary or Pre-Kindergarten Schools (2 cr) (project and paper related to the area of teaching; it is a correspondence course so there are no required on-campus sessions)

For students who began the M.Ed./ILP in summer 2011 or later:

After teaching at least one year, you can earn your M.Ed. degree by completing CI 5287—Capstone Project in Elementary Education and achieving at least a 2.80 overall GPA.

Applying for Degree

In addition to completing all program requirements, you must complete and submit the program degree packet.

Student Services clears degrees for graduation on a monthly basis. The degree completion packet must be completed on or before the first day of the month that the student intends to graduate. Please refer to the timeline in the packet for deadlines. Students who submit forms to Student Services after the first day of the month will be cleared to graduate at the end of the following month.

Once the degree is noted on the University transcript, the student has technically graduated. The college holds one commencement ceremony each year in May to recognize all students in the college who have graduated within that academic year.

Students have seven years to complete their degree, beginning with the first coursework used in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 overall GPA.

Apply by March 1 if you plan to participate in the college commencement ceremony in May.