State hub

How to become a teacher in Minnesota

Prep providers

Completers

2,031

Newly licensed

2,302

Colleges (IPEDS)

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete a teacher preparation program. Minnesota has 32 Title II providers.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
Apply to MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for an initial credential, such as Professional License: Tier 4.
Career changers can use one of 3 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

Minnesota teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in Minnesota

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
Augsburg College	Traditional	279	63
Bemidji State University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	494	129
Bethany Lutheran College	Traditional	74	15
Bethel University	Traditional	298	88
Clg. of St. Benedict & St. John's Univ.	Traditional	191	44
College of St. Scholastica	Traditional	112	42
Concordia College-Moorhead	Traditional	201	56
Concordia University-St. Paul	Traditional	242	65
Crown College	Traditional	44	8
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College	Traditional	5	3
Gustavus Adolphus College	Traditional	181	48
Hamline University	Traditional	208	38
Learning Disabilities Association of MN (LDA MN)	Alternative, not IHE-based	15	3
Martin Luther College	Traditional	590	102
Metropolitan State University	Traditional	281	56
Minnesota State-Mankato	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	527	195
Minnesota State-Moorhead	Traditional	630	137
North Central University	Traditional	56	17
Southwest Minnesota State University	Traditional	435	75
St. Catherine University	Traditional	88	30
St. Cloud State University	Traditional	611	115
St. Mary's University	Traditional	150	39
St. Olaf College	Traditional	114	34
The New Teacher Project (TNTP)	Alternative, not IHE-based	36	15
University of Minnesota Crookston	Traditional	60	6
University of Minnesota Duluth	Traditional	342	106
University of Minnesota Morris	Traditional	57	21
University of Minnesota Twin Cities	Traditional	405	179
University of Northwestern - St.Paul	Traditional	174	35
University of St. Thomas	Traditional	197	57
Walden University	Traditional	27	4
Winona State University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	642	206

About teacher preparation in Minnesota

Minnesota Licensure Standards Assure Highly Qualified Teachers

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board is authorized by Minnesota Statutes section 122A.09, subdivision 4, to adopt rules establishing licensure standards for teachers and the procedures for approval of Minnesota teacher preparation programs.

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board is committed to strengthening the licensing and preparation of teachers. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board has established high rigorous standards for teacher licensure and preparation. Central to the Board is a belief and commitment to the public that competent teaching requires educators who deeply understand subject matter and how to teach it in ways that motivate students and help them learn. The Board grants teaching licenses to those applicants who demonstrate and document compliance with Board established standards for teacher licensure.