How to Obtain a Secondary Teaching Certification in Minnesota

Teaching can be a very rewarding careers and, in tough economic times, teachers are considered more indispensable than many other professionals. It is not, however, always easy to break in to the world of secondary education, grades five through twelve. Districts have the luxury of taking only the highly educated and highly qualified. According to the National Education Association, Minnesota teachers start out making $32,315 and the average teacher salary in the state is $51,938 as of 2010. Combined with long breaks in the summer and throughout the school year, benefits, and meaningful work, these figures make teaching at the secondary level a highly competitive and desirable job.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree
• Credit card
• Internet access

Instructions

Get the Degree You Need

1. You must first obtain a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution. If you completed an accredited teacher preparation program (usually included in Education majors) within your degree, you will be better prepared to move into the classroom. If you simply have a Bachelor's degree in a field that you wish to teach in without having completed the teacher preparation program you must follow the alternative certification path described in step five.

2. You will have to register for and pass two examinations. The first is the Praxis I Test of Basic Skills or the CAAP Exam (a test of pedagogy) and the second is the Praxis II Content Test related to the subject area you wish to teach in. Note that after September 1st, 2010, the Minnesota Department of Education will be changing to the MTLE for teacher licensing. Praxis exams taken before this date will remain valid.

3. You will be required to submit to a background check through the state of Minnesota and the FBI. You must submit your fingerprints for this investigation. Request fingerprinting cards from the Minnesota Department of Education at [phone]. These cards will need to be completed by a law enforcement office. Call one that is conveniently located for you and make an appointment. You will also need to include a money order or cashier's check for $31.00 to cover the cost of the background check.

4. Download a Minnesota Licensure application from the Minnesota Department of Education's website. Complete the packet. Your completed packet should include:
   Praxis exam score reports.
   Your official transcripts from all universities attended, should show degree conferred
   Completed and signed Minnesota Department of Education Fingerprint Cards.

   Fees:
   $57 by check or money order for processing the application application made out to the "Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education" and...
   $31 by cashier's check or money order for fingerprint processing made payable to the "Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions"

   After you have completed this application and enclosed all of the required materials, you must send it to your Teacher Preparation Institution where a certification officer will finish the required section 5 of the application and send packet to the Minnesota Department of Education.

5. If you did not attend a teacher preparation program or major in education, you will have to enroll in the alternate certification program in Minnesota. If accepted, you will be issued a one-year probationary license and will be required to attend a staff development program run by a Minnesota Resident Mentorship Team. At the end of one year of teaching, it will be determined if you will be eligible for a full license, at which time you will have to submit the paperwork and pay the fees.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to follow up with your paperwork. Once you have gone through the trouble to assemble your application, make sure that your certification officer sends it on to:

• Minnesota Department of Education

• Educator Licensing and Teacher Quality

• 1500 Highway 36 West

• Roseville, MN 55113-4266

• If you are concerned or have questions, call a Minnesota Teacher Licensure Representative at [phone].

• It is not suggested that you get into teaching as a fall-back career. The process of getting licensed is extensive and the work is demanding. The job market is also tight. Individuals should pursue positions in secondary education because they have a passion for working with older youth.

References

• Become a Teacher in Minnesota
• NEA - Minnesota
• ETS - Information on the Praxis I and II

Resources

• Minnesota Department of Education - Educator Licensing