Industrial education (technology education)
Master of education/initial licensure
(Minnesota state licensure in technology education)
This program allows students with diverse backgrounds—including technology, science, training, and supervision—to apply their experience and education toward teaching licensure.
On this page
Admission is open only to students in the University of Minnesota's undergraduate technology education program. For more information, contact program adviser Shuji Asai, asai0003@umn.edu, 612-624-0512.
Program
The industrial education (technology education) initial licensure program at the University of Minnesota is designed to help you become an accomplished professional educator who can help students succeed in the classroom. The program prepares inquiring, analytical, and reflective professional educators who can teach in the classroom and lead in the schools.
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.
The program allows individuals with diverse backgrounds—including technology, science, training, and supervision—to apply their experience and education toward teaching licensure. This program is offered by the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
Industrial education students enter an approximately 15-month program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. In addition to coursework, clinical seminars in the school setting plus an in-depth teaching internship create a strong experience base upon which apply educational principles and methods. Working closely with experienced teachers, students observe firsthand the daily rewards and pressures of their profession.
After successfully completing licensure requirements, students are recommended for state licensure to teach technology education in grades 5-12. After completing an additional three-credit seminar, a three-credit research course, and a field-based project (1-4 cr) for a total of at least 30 approved graduate credits, students are awarded an M.Ed. degree. Students have seven years to complete their degree, beginning with the first course(s) used in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 minimum overall grade point average (GPA).
Curriculum
Students complete foundations, methods, and clinical experience coursework for licensure.
Note: Foundations of education coursework may be completed throughout the program, including summer, fall, or spring terms.
Foundation courses
- CI 5452—Reading in the Content Areas for Initial Licensure Candidates (1 cr)
- EDHD 5001—Learning, Cognition, and Assessment (3 cr)
- EDHD 5003—Development 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 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 (2 cr)
Note: PUBH-designated course listed above may not be applied toward the M.Ed. degree.
Major courses
- BIE 5365—Curriculum Development in Technology Education (3 cr)
- HRD/WHRE 5661—Instructional Methods in Business and Industry (2 cr)
Teaching internship courses
- WHRE 5696—Teaching Internship: Introduction (1 cr)
- WHRE 5697—Teaching Internship: School and Classroom Settings (2 cr)
- WHRE 5698—Teaching Internship (3-8 cr)
Technical requirements
Students must complete the technical requirements for the degree in one of the following ways:
- Students who have a bachelor’s degree: Complete the 36 technical content course credits listed on the content area page. These credits may be completed before or after admission to the M.Ed./initial licensure program.
- Students who do not have a bachelor’s degree: Complete the bachelor of science degree program in business and industry education.
Consult an industrial education adviser for information about these requirements.
Additional courses for M.Ed.
- BIE 5325—Foundations of Industrial Education (3 cr)
- BIE 5605—Critical Issues in Business and Industry (3 cr)
- HRD/WHRE 5601—Student and Trainee Assessment (2 cr)
- HRD/WHRE 5629—Course Development in Business and Industry (2 cr)
See course descriptions and course schedules.
Admission criteria
Before submitting an application, all applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the program coordinator to complete a transcript review and keep abreast of possible changes to admission requirements and state of Minnesota teaching licensure requirements.
Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:
- Content area prerequisites—Applicants must have a fully developed knowledge base of the subject area, as demonstrated by completion of appropriate content area courses (see content area). Students completing degrees outside of the United States must arrange for a transcript evaluation (see #3 under the “Application materials” heading below).
- Classroom experience with grades 5-12, including verified site visit to a family and consumer sciences classroom.
- Cultural and other diversity experience
- Personal statement
- Grade point average (GPA)—2.80 overall GPA at the time of application. The bachelor’s degree must be completed by the time of matriculation.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution emphasizing child development, human relations, social work, human ecology, family studies, or related areas
- A personal interview with the program coordinator
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
All application materials are due by the following deadlines:
- April 1—to enroll summer session
- July 1—to enroll fall semester
- October 1—to enroll spring semester
A College-wide orientation is held in mid-May for summer or fall enrollment, and in mid-December for spring enrollment.
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.
Completing the program
Career information for teachers ( CEHD Career Services center)
Faculty and staff
Program adviser
Shuji Asai
612-625-3339
E-mail: asai0003@umn.edu
Core faculty
Tom Stertz
612-625-7250
E-mail: ster0112@umn.edu
Other resources
Multicultural Teacher Development Project
Department of Curriculum and Instruction home page
Revised November 2009
