Minnesota Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to schools of education in Minnesota is designed to help aspiring teachers find the right program for their future career goals. There are many colleges and universities that offer teacher preparation programs that train students to work as professional educators. The information on this page includes lists of top-rated teaching programs, a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, and student reviews. For anyone looking to obtain a teaching degree in Minnesota, this guide aims to help you find the best possible program for your individual needs.

Table of Contents

• Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
• Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs
• Select Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees
• Schools with Associate Degrees in Education
• Student Reviews

Quick Facts

• There are 58 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Minnesota.¹
• 27 schools offer an associate’s degree in education.¹
• 30 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in education.¹
• 22 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
• No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2020.³
• 5 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023.³
• 4 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022.⁴
• 4 educator preparation providers (EPPs) are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.⁵
• 4 educator preparation providers (EPPs) are accredited by the AAQEP.⁶

For not-for-profit schools with teacher degree programs.

Comparison of Minnesota Schools with Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in Minnesota according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution, for both traditional and alternative programs, for the 2018-2019 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education reports under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality. Traditional teacher preparation programs are usually completed as part of a bachelor’s degree program. Alternative certification programs are typically designed for career changers looking to enter the field and lead to a postgraduate certificate or a master’s degree. Many schools in our table offer both traditional and alternative programs. Take a look at our Minnesota traditional and alternative certification guides for more information.

Finally, we have provided the net price per year for undergraduate tuition, based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Minnesota

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (#19 tie)
• University of St. Thomas (#168 tie)
• St. Cloud State University (#188 tie)
• Concordia University St. Paul (#207-274)
• St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (#207-274)

US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022

• College of St. Scholastica (#53 tie)
• St. Cloud State University (#140 tie)
• Concordia University St. Paul (#192 tie)
• Martin Luther College (#242-321)

Select Minnesota Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees

St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College’s Education Department is focused on preparing students for initial licensure and their first years in the classroom. There are three degrees offered: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education, a BA in Social Studies Education, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Education (which is also offered as a BA in Music or as a BA/BM double-degree option). The BA in Education must be paired with a second major in the student’s chosen teaching content area. These content areas include K-12 licenses such as Visual Art, World Languages (French, German, Latin, or Spanish), and English as a Second Language(ESL), as well as secondary/middle school licenses like Mathematics (grades 5-12), Biology (grades 9-12), Chemistry (9-12), and Physics (9-12). All students complete at least 120 hours of field experience prior to completing a formal student teaching placement. St. Olaf also offers an Educational Studies Concentration, which can be added to any liberal arts degree and allows students to expand their program of study with selected courses on issues of education.

University of Minnesota-Crookston

The University of Minnesota-Crookston’s (UMN-Crookston) Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education Department houses its Teacher Education Unit. Four teacher preparation programs are offered, all of which are Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees intended to train students for initial certification and their first teaching role. BS degrees are offered in Agricultural Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and English Education. Within the Agricultural Education degree, students may choose between concentrations in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Systems Engineering Technology, or Natural and Managed Environmental Education. Early Childhood Education majors may choose an emphasis in Primary Education or Program Management. Students in the English Education program will be prepared to teach grades 5-12, while Elementary Education majors will be prepared to teach any subject to grades K-6. UMN Crookston is home to a unique on-campus Early Childhood Development Center, which offers Early Childhood and Elementary Education majors valuable field learning and observation experiences.

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (UMN) is the flagship campus of the UM system and is home to the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). CEHD offers three undergraduate degree programs: a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early Childhood, a BS in Elementary Education Foundations, and a BS in Special Education. For the Early Childhood and Elementary programs, students may choose to pursue one additional year of studies and receive a Master of Education (M.Ed.) as well. Graduate programs include accelerated M.Ed. degrees intended to prepare students for licensure in Social Studies, Mathematics, English, and Science Education in as little as 12-15 months. UMN also offers graduate programs focused on career advancement for experienced teachers and those interested in roles other than teaching, such as a Master of Arts (MA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education Policy and Leadership, an MA or PhD in Higher Education, and an MA or PhD in Quantitative Methods in Education. Online options include an MA in Early Childhood Education and an online graduate minor in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.

Schools with Associate Degrees in Education

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate’s degree can be the first step towards a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree. The following Alabama schools offer associate’s degrees in education.¹ Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.

Alexandria Technical & Community College
1601 Jefferson St
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
www.alextech.edu

Anoka-Ramsey Community College
11200 Mississippi Blvd NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763) 433-1100
www.anokaramsey.edu

Central Lakes College-Brainerd
501 W College Dr
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 855-8000
www.clcmn.edu

Century College
3300 Century Ave N
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 770-3200
www.century.edu

Concordia University-Saint Paul*
282 Concordia Ave
St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 641-8230
www.csp.edu

Crown College
8700 College View Dr
St Bonifacius, MN 55375
(952) 446-4100
www.crown.edu

Dakota County Technical College
1300 145th St E
Rosemount, MN 55068
(651) 423-8300
www.dctc.edu

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
2101 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 879-0800
www.fdltcc.edu

Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
(952) 995-1300
www.hennepintech.edu

Inver Hills Community College
2500 80th St E
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
(651) 450-3000
www.inverhills.edu

Itasca Community College
1851 US-169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 322-2300
www.itascacc.edu

Leech Lake Tribal College
6945 Little Wolf Rd NW
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-4200
www.lltc.edu

Mesabi Range College
1001 Chestnut St W
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-3095
www.mesabirange.edu

Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 659-6000
www.minneapolis.edu

Minnesota State College Southeast
308 Pioneer Rd
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 385-6300
www.southeastmn.edu

Minnesota State Community and Technical College
1414 College Way
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(218) 736-1500
www.minnesota.edu

Minnesota West Community and Technical College
1450 College Way
Worthington, MN 56187
(800) 658-2330
www.mnwest.edu

Normandale Community College
9700 France Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 358-8200
www.normandale.edu

North Hennepin Community College
7411 85th Ave N
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
(763) 488-0391
www.nhcc.edu

Northland Community and Technical College
1101 State Hwy 1
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 683-8800
www.northlandcollege.edu

Oak Hills Christian College
1600 Oak Hills Rd SW
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 751-8670
www.oakhills.edu

Ridgewater College
2101 15th Ave NW
Willmar, MN 56201
(800) 722-1151
www.ridgewater.edu

Rochester Community and Technical College
851 30th Ave SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 285-7210
www.rctc.edu

South Central College
1920 Lee Blvd
North Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 389-7200
www.southcentral.edu

St. Cloud Technical and Community College
1540 Northway Dr
St Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 308-5000
www.sctcc.edu

St. Paul College
235 Marshall Ave
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 846-1600
www.saintpaul.edu

Vermilion Community College
1900 E Camp St
Ely, MN 55731
(218) 235-2100
www.vcc.edu

Student Reviews

Bemidji State University
1500 Birchmont Dr
Bemidji, MN 56601
(800) 475-2001
www.bemidjistate.edu

Student Review: “In a world full of phenomenal schools, Bemidji is a force to be reckoned with, and their education programs are no exception. The staff are all passionate and caring about their students, and the environment is warm, friendly, and welcoming. We are constantly learning new and innovative methods, and every day is a new adventure. The school assigns us to go on practicums to the local schools, where we work first-hand with students, and observe professionals at work. The school also has a very welcoming approach with the community, which gives us more opportunity to teach and learn, making the experience even more valuable. Choosing a school was not an easy task, but if I could go back again, I know I wouldn’t choose any other school than Bemidji.” -Josh M., student at Bemidji State University

Minnesota State College Southeast
308 Pioneer Rd
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 385-6300
https://www.southeastmn.edu/

Student Review: “The Early Childhood Education Program, when I started, was a brand-new program linking to a higher, 2+2 teaching degree in education from birth to third grade, in partnership with Minnesota State University. As I took classes recommended by the program, the final requirements were still under revision. The final revision ended up rendering some of the classes I had taken obsolete, and I am still taking classes to fulfill the final requirements to even move on to the last two years at Minnesota State University. Most of the classes were online, with the exception of an internship, which was off-site. I interned at a daycare in Saint Cloud and at an early childhood facility in Red Wing. I will be taking an Algebra CLEP test to finish my final requirement of the first two years in order to move on to MSU. This has taken me four years, due to the nature of the changing final course requirements, being an online student and my situation as a single mother with a special needs child. I loved the communication with the teachers. They are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and communicative. I do not enjoy having wasted so much of my time and college funding taking classes that were unnecessary to the completion of the degree, how long it’s taking me to finish the first two years, and the frustration of having fallen behind my peers.” -Student at Minnesota State College

Minnesota State University-Moorhead
1104 7th Ave S
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-4000
www.mnstate.edu

Student Review: “Minnesota State University in Moorhead has been a whirlwind of great experiences. It has a small and beautiful campus with a relatively small student population. Generally, the professors are very encouraging, communicative and driven to make their students succeed. There are some downsides to the college, however. The food is average at best and there is no longer wireless Internet in the dorms. Probably the biggest disadvantage of all is the temperature of northern Minnesota, which is bitterly cold, windy, and makes walking to class a chore at times. All things considered, it is a lovely campus and a wonderful place to meet friends and grow as an individual.” -Asher S., student at Minnesota State University-Moorhead

St. Cloud State University
720 4th Ave S
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 308-0121
www.stcloudstate.edu

Student Review: “For the most part I’ve enjoyed my experience at St. Cloud State. I learned about a lot of different aspects of teaching. I loved my professors. There were a couple of professors that I had a difficult experience with, where I didn’t get the grade I was looking for, but I think you’re going to have that problem at whatever school or program you get enrolled in. I have mixed feelings because I’ve noticed that a lot of my class material is online. I like how it saves trees but I sometimes question whether or not it’s as good as learning in a classroom. I feel like the technology used in learning facilities such as St. Cloud State’s should become more interactive for the students and professors, where communication is easier. As a student of education, I believe that having interaction between both is going to facilitate the most learning, as opposed to just reading slideshows as a lot of online classes do.” -Keith W., student at Saint Cloud State University

Student Review: “Saint Cloud State University’s teacher preparation program was very good overall! The professors in my area of concentration (social studies education) were all extremely knowledgeable. The social studies course offerings were diverse, allowing me to study the histories of entire continents or specific time periods, such as Renaissance-era Italy. Along with having access to a large number of content-specific courses, I was also exposed to other social studies subject areas, such as Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology. The teaching pedagogy courses were hit-or-miss, unfortunately. Some courses were taught by highly qualified former instructors, and between the field experience, practicum experience, and the student teaching experience, I graduated with a large amount of real-world experience on the job. However, many of the courses in the College of Education were delivered by instructors that did not seem to understand how to effectively transmit ideas to college students, since they were often former elementary school teachers. These instructors also had issues with creating interesting, challenging content, and had no standard grading procedures. I would recommend this program as a whole, despite these specific issues with the pedagogy portion.” -Student at Saint Cloud University

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 457-1600
https://www.smumn.edu/

Student Review: “The Masters of Arts in Teaching program at SMUMN is a highly effective and beneficial program. The professors and the school program administrators go above and beyond to make sure you are learning the path to becoming a successful teacher. The professors are up to date on pedagogy research and making sure they are giving their students the necessary resources. The education department is like a big family that sticks together and will do anything possible to make sure their students are taken care of. I would recommend Saint Mary’s University of MN to anyone interested in receiving a degree in education.” -Student at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Student Review: “I really enjoyed my program. It was taught by someone that had taught for years and was now a Special Education Director. The classes met on the weekend, which I liked because I could work while going, but it did take up multiple weekends. I didn’t like having to meet in different towns to attend school but I did like the freedom of taking much of it online and I also liked that it took a year and a half to complete even with student teaching. The entire program costed eleven thousand dollars.” -Student at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota-Duluth
1049 University Dr
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 726-8000
www.d.umn.edu

Student Review: “While I very much enjoyed my time at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) in general I don’t believe that the teaching program from which I graduated in 2008 was anywhere near as effective as it could or should be in preparing teaching students for life in the classroom. I learned a great deal in the two years that I was in the teaching program at UMD, however, much of that was geared towards teaching in an ideal classroom setting where all students are engaged in learning. There was an extreme lack of attention paid to classroom management which, I’ve found, is well over half of the job. I realized that this was an issue while I was doing my student teaching – before I had even left the program. I was placed in a special education classroom for emotionally and behaviorally challenged students. From the first day that I was in the classroom, I realized that I was woefully underprepared for this experience. Essentially everything that I had been taught over the prior 3 semesters was thrown out the window within the first week. Luckily I was blessed with an amazing cooperating teacher, who was nominated for teacher of the year in Minnesota while I was in her classroom. She was able to point me in the right direction and give the help and guidance that I wasn’t given at UMD.” -Student at University of Minnesota-Duluth

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2021.
3. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2023: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
7. US Department of Education 2020 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx