The top 5 things to consider when planning a secondary education licensure
- Teaching is a rewarding, challenging, and amazing career!
- As a secondary teacher, you’ll need to know your content well. GPAs of 2.75 in your license area and 2.5 overall are the minimum requirements for the program.
- Typically, you will major in the content area that you want to teach. In Minnesota, the courses you take are determined by state standards for teachers, so completing a major is NOT the same as taking the classes you need for teaching licensure. Check your Academic Progress Audit System (APAS) and the catalog to compare requirements in the major and teaching license and to make sure you are completing a) courses needed for your degree and major, b) courses needed for teaching licensure, and c) the required prerequisite courses.
- Declare your interest in Secondary Education right away (on the “change your major” form on the Advising web page choose secondary education and a subplan in the 2nd or 3rd major slot) so that you can be notified of any informational meetings and have a licensure APAS in addition to your major APAS.
- You'll need to apply to the Secondary Education program in the fall before beginning in the year-long program the following fall. Field experience is a big part of the program and we use the lead time to make sure you have a great learning opportunity in area schools.