DirecTrack to Teaching encourages applications from all students interested in meeting the diverse needs of students in our schools, including applicants who demonstrate the following:

• Racial or ethnic diversity
• Multilingual
• First-generation college student
• Interested in teaching in high-need areas (ESL, Spanish, math, science, special education)
• Interested in teaching for social justice (encompassing race, economics, gender, sexual orientation, religion, power, and privilege)

Dates and deadlines

DirecTrack applications are closed for the 2022-2023 academic year. If you have any questions or extenuating circumstances (transferring to the UMN, current UMN junior hoping to teach) please contact Jehanne Beaton.

The DirecTrack to Teaching Program admits students in Fall term of each academic year only. Applications are accepted from October 15 through February 1st for the following academic year. Acceptance decisions will be communicated to applicants by March 15th.

Admission requirements

This program accepts currently enrolled University of Minnesota-Twin Cities undergraduate students with either second-term freshman status or second-term sophomore. We're looking for exceptional students who hold promise as future educators. We look for students with the following attributes:

• 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.
• demonstrated volunteer activities that show an interest in education, such as teaching activities and volunteer experiences related to children and youth.
• Undergraduate transfer students from outside the University of Minnesota system who meet the above criteria are also eligible to apply. Candidates must have at least two years of studies remaining at the University of Minnesota after transfer.