Parent and Family Education Licensure

Complete this program online!

A teacher of parent and family education is authorized to instruct parents in an early childhood family education (ECFE) program. A parent educator plans, coordinates, and teaches in an instructional program that addresses the intellectual, emotional, cultural, social, and physical needs of both parents and children. Parent education seeks to support respectful, reciprocal interactions between parents and their children.

Interest in parent education is growing across the United States. Minnesota is recognized as a leader in this field with its statewide, legislatively supported early childhood family education (ECFE) programs offering parent education for families with young children through local school districts. In Minnesota, a parent educator license is required for employment in an ECFE program. The purpose of the license is to insure, through scholarly preparation, that parent educators are well-prepared professionals who are qualified to deliver educational programs for parents.

This program also prepares parent educators for parent education positions that do not require a Minnesota parent and family education license. For example, parent educators may find positions in health care and social service agencies and institutions and religious settings in Minnesota and in other states and countries. A parent education certificate program is also available for those who do not require a Minnesota teaching license.

Students may include licensure credits toward the M.Ed. professional studies degree (download sample M.Ed. program planning form), or the M.A. or Ph.D. degrees.

Working toward a Minnesota license for teachers of parent and family education

1. MTLE: Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations. The Minnesota Department of Education requires that all students admitted to a teacher licensure program complete the MTLE (Basic Skills Test) before beginning any licensure coursework. This basic skills test includes three content areas: Reading, Writing, and Math. To learn more about the MTLE, visit http://www.mtle.nesinc.com/. Use institutional code 6874 to have your scores submitted to the University of Minnesota. If you already hold an active teacher licensure in another area, you have already completed this step. This test needs to be completed before you begin the M.Ed. licensure program.  If you fail to pass one or more of the content areas, you may begin the program and retake the exam. Passing scores in all content areas are required for program completion. 
   More about the MTLE »
2. Register for courses. The packet your received indicating your acceptance into this program offers information on how to register for courses. You may also find it helpful to review online parent education licensure courses for course descriptions and registration information. If you need more information about how to register, please visit One Stop Student Services or contact them at 612-624-1111.
3. Complete required coursework. Your CEHD student contract will indicate the coursework remaining to fulfill licensure requirements. See our list of approved courses that meet licensure requirements to begin your course selection and registration process. Check the Class Schedule to see when the courses you need are offered.
   1. Apply for student teaching in the fall. CI 5949—Student Teaching in Parent Education is offered every spring semester. Students wishing to student teach in in the spring must apply in the fall. Application materials are due by October 15th. See Student Teaching in Parent Education to access forms and directions.
   2. Student teach in the spring.
4. Maintain satisfactory progress in your program
   1. All courses taken in the program must be on a college or university transcript.
   2. Courses required for licensure may be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.
   3. An overall GPA of 2.8 or higher is required with a grade of  "C" or higher in all required courses.
   4. All courses in child development and parent education must have been completed in the ten years immediately preceding your application for licensure in parent and family education.
5. Apply for your Minnesota teaching license Once you have received passing MTLE scores, completed the coursework needed for your parent and family education license, and confirmed that all final grades are posted to your transcript, you are ready to apply for your Minnesota teaching license.
   1. If this is your first Minnesota Teaching License, follow these Online MDE Application Instructions (pdf).
   2. If you hold a previous Minnesota teaching license, complete this Application for an Additional MDE License (pdf).
   3. Submit application materials to:
      Parent and Family Education Licensure
      Attn: Colleen Hennen-Clements
      299D McNeal Hall
      1985 Buford Avenue
      St. Paul, MN 55108

Contact Heather Cline (612-624-1294, fyc@umn.edu) if you have questions about working toward your Minnesota license for teachers of parent and family education.