DirecTrack to Teaching
Get on the path to teaching licensure as an
undergraduate through DirecTrack to Teaching. The program offers
early admission to the
College of
Education and Human
Development’s initial licensure program and gives undergraduates
early exposure to the culture of teaching and schools.
Enter the profession with confidence and
competence.
Take teacher preparation classes normally offered only to
graduate students.
Learn as part of a select group of future teachers from multiple
disciplines.
Participate in guided experiences (tutoring, observing,
volunteering) with youth and in classroom settings.
Focus on the subject area you want
to teach.
Receive early admission into the M.Ed./initial licensure program
when certain benchmarks are met.
Program areas
You'll find it easiest to fulfill all your major and
DirecTrack to Teaching requirements if you choose an undergraduate major that is
directly related to your desired teaching field. Review the
content-area prerequisites linked below, and consult with your
current college adviser, as well as with the
initial licensure program
adviser for your desired teaching area.
Note: DirecTrack to Teaching is not a stand-alone
undergraduate major, and it does not lead to any particular
baccalaureate degree. You will maintain your current University of
Minnesota undergraduate college and major status (i.e., CLA, history
major) while pursuing the DirecTrack to Teaching program.
- Art education (licensure in visual arts education)
Recommended majors: art, art history, studio art
prerequisites in
art education content areas
-
Business and marketing education
(licensure in business education)
Recommended majors: business and marketing education,
human resource management, marketing
prerequisites in
business and marketing education content areas
-
English education
(licensure in communication, arts, and literature)
Recommended major: English
prerequisites in
English education content areas
- Family
education (licensure in family and consumer science education)
Recommended major: family social science
prerequisites in
family education content areas
- Mathematics education
Recommended major: math
prerequisites in
math education content areas
- Science education
Recommended majors: astrophysics, biology, chemistry,
engineering, environmental sciences,
fisheries and wildlife, genetics and cell biology, geology,
neuroscience, physics
prerequisites in
science education content areas
- Second languages and cultures (licensure in world languages and English
as a second language)
Recommended majors: language studies (French, German,
Japanese, etc.), international relations, linguistics, speech-language-hearing sciences
prerequisites in
language proficiency, a general psychology course is also required
- Social studies education
Recommended majors: American studies, anthropology, economics, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology
prerequisites in
social studies education content areas
- Special education
Recommended majors: child psychology, early childhood
education foundations, elementary education foundations,
Inter-College Program, kinesiology, psychology
DirecTrack to Teaching coursework
Exploring the Teaching Profession
Learning, Cognition, and Assessment in the Schools
Developmental and Individual Differences in Educational Contexts
School and Society
Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society
Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse for Teacher Education
Application information
Who is eligible?
Currently enrolled University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
undergraduate students with either second-term freshman status
or second-term sophomore status may apply. We're looking for
exceptional students who hold promise as future educators. We want to see the
following:
- a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 overall (3.0 is preferred). A minimum 3.0 overall GPA is
required for maintaining your status in the program.
- volunteer activities that show an interest in education. We
look for candidates who have demonstrated their interest in teaching with activities and volunteer
experiences related to children and youth.
How to apply
Applications are due February 1 for fall admission to the program.
Speak with Shuji Asai in Student Services for more
details (call
612-624-0512 or e-mail
asai0003@umn.edu).
Application materials
- DirecTrack to Teaching application; choose a format:
- .pdf | print, fill out,
and mail
- .doc | save to
computer, fill out, and e-mail
- a reflective essay (as described on the application form)
- list of activities and volunteer experiences (as described
on the application form)
After you've been accepted
After acceptance into the DirecTrack to Teaching program, you will attend a
spring orientation. DirecTrack to Teaching advisers in the College
of Education and Human Development will work closely with you to help you choose the proper coursework to meet
DirecTrack to Teaching requirements.
Benchmark minimums
You will be required to meet the following benchmarks to continue
participating in the DirecTrack to Teaching program:
- Establish and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Participate in DirecTrack to Teaching activities. (Examples include
online networking and brown-bag speakers.)
- Make adequate progress towards graduation.
- Retain full-time student status.
- Successfully complete selected
courses.
- Other benchmarks may be required by specific programs.
After DirecTrack to Teaching
After you've completed your undergraduate degree and met all
DirecTrack to Teaching benchmarks, you will be eligible to begin the
graduate-level initial licensure program in your field. If you
graduate and complete DirecTrack to Teaching in the spring semester, you will
begin your initial licensure program that summer.
January 2008
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