The information below is most applicable to current undergraduate students at the U of M Twin Cities. If you are not a current student, review the general admissions information.
Early childhood (birth-third grade) or
Elementary education (kindergarten-sixth grade)
- Major in early childhood or elementary education foundations.
- Through course planning with your adviser, you may be able to meet the prerequisites for the M.Ed. and initial teaching license program while completing a different major.
- Explore related areas through a minor, such as child psychology, learning technologies, racial justice in urban schooling, and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
- Apply to the M.Ed. and initial teaching license program in early childhood or elementary education. These are one year programs after completing your undergraduate degree.
Secondary (middle school and high school):
English, mathematics, science, or social studies
- Major in the content area you would like to teach. If you’re unsure about the pathway to teaching from a particular major, contact your academic adviser.
- During your undergraduate studies, you will want to fit in the prerequisites courses for the M.Ed. and initial teaching license program. Connect with teacher education advisers early to ensure that you are on track for applying to the master’s program.
- Consider applying to the DirecTrack to Teaching program (during your first year or sophomore year).
- Explore related areas through a minor, such as learning technologies, racial justice in urban schooling, and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
- Apply to the M.Ed. and initial teaching license program in English, mathematics, science, or social studies. These are one year programs after completing your undergraduate degree.
Specialty areas K-12:
Arts in education (dance, theatre, visual arts)
World languages and English as a Second Language
- Major in the content area you would like to teach.
- During your undergraduate studies, you will want to fit in the prerequisites courses for the M.Ed. and initial teaching license program. Connect with teacher education advisers early to ensure that you are on track for applying to the master’s program.
- Consider applying to the DirecTrack to Teaching program (during your first year or sophomore year).
- Explore related areas through a minor, such as learning technologies, racial justice in urban schooling, and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
- Apply to the M.Ed. and initial teaching license program in second language education (world languages and English as a Second Language) or Arts in Education. These are one year programs after completing your undergraduate degree.
Special education
- Major in special education. You will earn your Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) teaching license and undergraduate bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in four years.
- Explore related areas through a minor or certificate, such as the applied psychology in educational and community settings (APECS) minor or the autism spectrum certificate.