English education

Master of education/initial licensure
(Minnesota state licensure in communication arts and literature education)

The program's multifaceted approach allows you to acquire an understanding about teaching a range of different aspects of teaching English at both the middle and high school levels: composition, language, literature, reading, media, digital technologies, and oral interactions.

Program

The English education initial licensure program is designed to develop inquiring, analytical, and reflective professional educators prepared to teach in the classroom and lead in the schools. These educators can help students succeed in mastering a wide range of written and spoken communication skills.

Master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure programs are for individuals with bachelor’s degrees who want to become licensed teachers. These graduate-level programs provide rigorous, professional teacher preparation in accordance with Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT) and content standards adopted in fall 1998 by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

English education students enter a 15-month program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. This program is offered through the Department of Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Practicum and 10 weeks of student teaching create a strong experience base in which to apply the principles and methods learned in University classes. Topics include 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 emphasis area begin classes together and continue through their course of study as a single group, building a valuable sense of community. Throughout their student teaching, prospective teachers work closely with experienced teachers, observing firsthand the daily rewards and challenges of the profession.

This program includes two components: initial licensure and M.Ed. degree. After successfully completing initial licensure requirements, students are recommended for state licensure to teach communication arts and literature education for grades 5-12. After completing an additional 12 credits, 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) used in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 grade point average (GPA) for M.Ed. courses.

Curriculum

Students complete foundations, methods, and clinical experience coursework for licensure.

First summer term*

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) (effective fall 2009)
EDHD 5005—School and Society (2 cr)
EDHD 5009—Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society (1 cr)
PUBH 6003—Fundamentals of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1 cr)

Note: The PUBH-designated course listed above may not be applied toward the M.Ed. degree.

Throughout the program, students take courses in foundations of education, including courses on psychological, sociological, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of education. These courses lay the foundation for developing a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in education. Through inquiry, analysis, and reflection, prospective teachers learn to examine educational issues from multiple perspectives. Students may also complete remaining prerequisite English courses.

* Some of these courses may also be completed during fall, spring, or second summer session.

Fall semester

CI 5441—Teaching Literature in the Secondary School (3 cr)
CI 5451—Teaching Reading in Middle and Secondary Grades (3 cr)
EDHD 5007—Technology for Teaching and Learning (1.5 cr)
Fall practicum

In the fall, students enroll in courses that include field-based experiences (practicum). If student teaching in a high school, the practicum is in a middle school; if student teaching at a middle school, the practicum is in a high school. Courses cover methods of fostering understanding of texts and reading interests, teaching and modeling comprehension strategies, current theories of teaching literature, adolescent literature, theory and research on response to literature, and uses of technology tools and computer software in English/language arts classrooms.

Spring term

CI 5461—Teaching Composition in the Secondary School (2 cr)
CI 5481—Developments in Teaching English and Speech (3 cr)
CI 5644—Working with Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students in the Mainstream Classroom (1 cr)
Pre-student teaching experience
CI 5496—Directed Experiences in Teaching English (8 cr) [does not count toward M.Ed.]

The spring semester is divided into two parts. Students take three methods courses and any additional outstanding foundations or prerequisite courses, and complete a pre-student teaching experience in the school in which they are student teaching. Topics include methods of teaching writing, describing and evaluating features of student writing, using and modeling conference strategies, current theories of English/language arts/speech curriculum, teaching oral language, and organizing English/language arts/speech curriculum. The last 10 weeks is a full-time student teaching experience, ending in early June.

Second summer term

In the second summer of the program, students complete any outstanding foundations and prerequisite courses.

M.Ed. completion

Students earn the master of education degree by completing at least 12 credits from the following list:

Required courses
CI 5472—Teaching Film, Television, and Media Studies (3 cr)
Plus nine credits from the following list:
- CI 5147—Language, Culture, and Education (3 cr)
- CI 5410—Special Topics in the Teaching of Literacy (1-3 cr) [consult with faculty adviser for course section; can be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits]
- CI 5442—Literature for Adolescents (3 cr)
- CI 5462—Evaluating and Assessing Writing (3 cr)
- CI 5475—Teaching Digital Writing: Blogs, Wikis, Online Talk, Podcasting, and E-Portfolios to Teach Writing (3 cr)
- CI 5647—Teaching Middle and Secondary Immigrant and Refugee Students With Limited Formal Schooling (3 cr)
- Other courses with approval of faculty adviser

See course descriptions and course schedules.

Admission criteria

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

Knowledge of content area—Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area (see Content area). A transcript review should be completed by the Student Services program adviser before applying. These reviews may be done by mail or in person. Students completing degrees outside of the United States must arrange for a transcript evaluation (see #3 under the Application materials heading below).
Paid or unpaid classroom experience with grades 5-12—minimum 100 hours (for more information about this requirement, see Classroom Experience).
Cultural and other diversity experience
Personal statement
Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA at the time of application. Bachelor’s degree must be completed at the time of matriculation.

How to apply

Application Materials

All applicants must submit the following items:

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope. Any student with a U.S. bachelor's degree or a comparable foreign degree from an accredited college or university may apply to CEHD. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary academic study must be submitted. If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take four-six weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).

All applicants must submit the following items with their online applications:

Résumé highlighting classroom experience, diversity experience, and other experiences relevant to your teaching field. The résumé must include the following details for each experience:
- Dates and total hours (e.g., October 2007-December 2007; two days/week to total 100 hours)
- Name and location of site
- Supervisor’s name and phone number
- Description of activities
- Description of the cultural background of the population with which you worked
Personal Statement that discusses how the experiences listed on your résumé have influenced your decision to become a teacher. Limited to two double-spaced pages, typed or word-processed, size-12 font.
Two letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application system) addressing your education-related experience, work style, and personal attributes. Include at least one letter from a K-12 site supervisor listed on your résumé.
Application fee charged when your online application is submitted. Fees must be paid with a credit card.

Nonnative English speakers and/or international students

All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (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:

Internet-based test	79-80
Computer-based test	213
Paper-based test	550

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.

Apply Online

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, because 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 e-mail notifications of your status.
Your application status and decision will also be posted in your application account.

Timeline

December 15—All application materials due

February—Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid

February/March—Committee review of applications

Late March—Notification of admission decisions

May 1—Deadline for University of Minnesota application for summer financial aid (eligible if FAFSA has been submitted)

Mid-May—Orientation and summer registration

Early June—Summer term begins. To be eligible to start the program in June, the student’s official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services by June 1.

Before you begin the program

Testing

The Minnesota Board of Teaching requires licensure applicants to pass several standardized Praxis Series tests administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking Praxis Series tests by the required deadlines. Test information is available from The Praxis Series Information and Registration Bulletin, available at Student Services (612-625-6501) or the ETS Web site.

Students must pass the following tests to be recommended by CEHD for teaching licensure:

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). Students must take this test before starting the licensure program. Official Praxis I test scores must be submitted to Student Services before starting the program.

The following tests must be taken before licensure program completion:

Praxis II: Subject Assessments—Agriculture
Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests

See more details at Praxis testing.

Criminal background check

Before starting student teaching or practicums, students are subject to a criminal background check required by the college. 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. For background check details and fees, contact Bob Utke at CEHD, 612-625-1084, e-mail: stuteach@umn.edu.