Minnesota Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) oversees the requirements for alternative certification in the state. If you don’t have your bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional route certification in Minnesota. If you already have your bachelor’s degree, continue reading to learn how to earn your teaching license through an alternative route.
Table of Contents
- Minnesota Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
Minnesota offers various alternative teacher certification routes, all of which require at least a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the chosen route, candidates may also need to complete an alternative teacher preparation program. Such a program may be completed as a graduate certificate or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a teachable subject area.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Minnesota
There are two main alternative pathways to teacher licensure in Minnesota. For more information on these routes to teacher certification, review the PELSB website.
Graduate Teacher Preparation
PELSB has approved several post-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs offered at Minnesota colleges and universities. Prospective educators who already have a bachelor’s degree may be eligible to complete an approved teacher preparation program at the graduate level to earn Minnesota teacher certification. For more information on these programs, contact PELSB or the program provider.
Licensure via Portfolio
Minnesota offers Licensure via Portfolio for professionals with a bachelor’s degree and substantial professional and life experience in a specific content area. Candidates must submit an Eligibility Form to PELSB. Once deemed eligible, candidates have one year to submit their portfolio for review by a panel. Within 90 days, the reviewers will provide a recommendation for licensure and candidates must submit an application for a Tier 3 or Tier 4 License.
Testing Requirements for Minnesota Alternative Certification
Testing is no longer required for Tier 3 or Tier 4 license candidates who completed an approved teacher preparation program or were recommended for licensure via the portfolio process.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Out-of-state applicants with a valid teaching license may qualify for certification in Minnesota if they have completed a teacher preparation program from an accredited institution and their training is deemed equivalent to Minnesota’s approved programs. For more information, see our teaching license reciprocity resource or refer to the PELSB website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Minnesota
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by PELSB for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augsburg University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $24,306 |
| Bemidji State University | AAQEP | Master’s | 312 | 79 | 74% | $14,924 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $16,968 |
| Bethel University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $29,107 |
| College of St. Scholastica | AAQEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $23,215 |
| Concordia College Moorhead | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $24,096 |
| Concordia University St. Paul | AAQEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $16,521 |
| Hamline University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,528 |
| Metropolitan State University* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $15,941 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | 69 | 11 | N.Av. | $15,201 |
| Minnesota State University-Moorhead | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $17,324 |
| St. Cloud State University | AAQEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $13,697 |
| St. Mary’s University of Minnesota | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $22,021 |
| Southwest Minnesota State University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $14,340 |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | — | Certificate | 187 | 62 | N.Av. | $18,211 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities* | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $17,729 |
| University of St. Thomas | — | Master’s | 73 | 37 | 89% | $31,799 |
| Winona State University* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 92 | 37 | 72% | $17,185 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Minnesota
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Minnesota. The following schools reported 70% pass rates or above for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- University of St. Thomas (Master’s; 89%)
- Bemidji State University (Master’s; 74%)
- Winona State University (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s; 72%)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Minnesota based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- St. Cloud State University (12 months)
- University of Minnesota-Duluth (12 months)
- University of St. Thomas (15 months)
- Bethel University (18 months)
- Hamline University (18 months)
- Augsburg University (21 months)
- Bemidji State University (21 months)
- Concordia University St. Paul (22 months)
Additional Resources
- PELSB Licensure via Portfolio: Guide to requirements for alternative route licensure via portfolio.
- PELSB Approved Licensure Programs: Complete listing of approved teacher preparation programs in Minnesota.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Minnesota Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Minnesota Department of Education: https://mn.gov/pelsb/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/