Admissions: MEd and Teaching License

Strong applicants will demonstrate:

  • A commitment to social justice and equity through working with diverse populations and underrepresented, or marginalized, group
  • A capacity for critical self-reflection
  • How teaching is a thoughtful and informed career choice

Dates and deadlines

      October 1: MEd/ILP application opens
      October 4: Scholarship application opens
      November 30: Priority deadline for a transcript review/prerequisite evaluation
      December 15: Priority application and scholarship application deadline, Elementary Education program accepting applications through January 15
      January 15: Deadline for Arts in Education and Elementary education program
      January 15: Final scholarship application deadline
      March 15-April 30: Admissions notifications will be sent on a rolling basis between March 15 and April 30. Students waitlisted may receive a notification after April 30.

Prerequisite evaluations

Each MEd program requires prerequisite coursework based on content area. View a list of the prerequisites by program area that are required for admission to each teaching MEd and initial teaching license program.

Submit your unofficial transcript via email to the following contacts based on licensure area:

Elementary Education Foundations majors do not need to complete this step.

Transcript evaluations can take up to four weeks to complete; please plan accordingly and request a transcript evaluation well in advance of the November 30 deadline.

Application instructions

Utilize the resources below to ensure you have all the required forms and documents needed to apply.

We are here to help! If you have questions, please contact the advisor who completed your prerequisite evaluation. Email addresses are listed in the prerequisite section above.

Note: The Dual Language and Immersion license has a separate application process.

Application requirements

  1. Prerequisite evaluation. Prior to applying you will want to work with an MEd advisor to have your transcripts reviewed. The MEd advisors will evaluate your coursework and determine which classes meet licensure-specific prerequisites. (Elementary Education Foundations majors do not need to complete this step).
  2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from a recognized college or university in another country, is required.
  3. A 2.80 GPA or above is required for immediate consideration of your application. If your GPA is less than 2.8, your application will require special review. In this situation, an Extenuating Circumstances statement may be appropriate.
  4. Transcripts. Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions. Official transcripts aren't required until after you are admitted.
  5. Resume. Tailor your resume to highlight your experiences and achievements working with children and youth.
  6. Essay. Describe the world you come from--for example, your family, community or school. Tell us about a time when your worldview has informed and/or been challenged by working with children or youth. Reflecting on this and other experiences, how do you hope to grow as a reflective teacher through our program? Please submit an essay that is no longer than five pages, standard font-size, and double-spaced. Include your name at the top of each page.
  7. Letter of recommendation. Ask someone to write your letter of recommendation who can speak to your experience working with children or youth, or who can vouch for your commitment to educational equity. When you apply, list the name and email of your recommender. We will email them with instructions on how to submit their letter into the UMN application system.
  8. Diversity Statement. Given the well-documented racial, ethnic, and/or cultural differences between teachers and the students they teach in K-12 spaces, what have you done to further your knowledge and understanding about equity and diversity? How have you demonstrated your learning? Please submit a response that is no longer than two pages, standard font-size, and double-spaced. Include your name at the top of each page.
  9. Extenuating circumstances statement (optional). While this is not required, if there is something on your transcript that does not accurately reflect who you are as a student, please write no more than 500 words documenting unusual circumstances or hardships you have faced and the ways in which you have overcome or responded to them.
  10. Application fees are $75 for US applicants and $95 for international students.

The GRE is not required.

International applicants:

You must get a NACES-approved member organization to complete a course-by-course evaluation of your transcript. Please send the official evaluation to: Department of Curriculum & Instruction c/o Foreign Transcript Evaluations Peik Hall, 125 159 Pillsbury Dr. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455

Non-native English speakers must submit an official score from one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB.

Fore more information on this requirement and how to subnit your scores, please visit the Graduate School's English language proficiency page.

Financial aid and tuition

To get you started, we have created a tutorial to review your scholarship and financial aid options. Watch the scholarship video tutorial.

CEHD Tuition Costs:

All master's degree programs have the same cost per credit hour. The University of Minnesota tuition operates on a credit band where there is a flat rate for tuition each semester when taking 12 - 24 credits.

Financial Aid

  • Apply for financial aid and scholarships when you submit your application
  • Each year we award partial scholarships to qualified teaching candidates. Teaching candidates received over $600,000 in scholarships from CEHD last year.
  • If you intend to teach a high-need subject in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income families, you may be eligible to receive grants of up to $4,000/year. Learn more about the TEACH grant on Onestop under Employment or Service Related.
  • If you plan to teach full-time for five complete and consecutive years in schools that serve low-income families, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 through a program administered by the federal government.
  • Learn more about teacher loan forgiveness