Minneapolis Teacher Licensure Prep Programs

MPS has two Grow Your Own teacher preparation programs!

1. Minneapolis and St. Thomas Teacher Residency (MSTR) is a pathway to licensure that will prepare highly effective and diverse special education and Elementary teachers who will create increased opportunities for students in Minneapolis Public Schools.
   
   This rigorous and accelerated teacher preparation program is open to unlicensed MPS employees and employees of our community partners who work in MPS schools.  Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and are interested in becoming a special education or Elementary teacher, with an emphasis on recruiting diverse and bilingual candidates. Upon completing this program, residents will earn their master's degree and teaching license in either Special Education- Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) or K-5 Elementary Education.
    
2. Minneapolis Public Schools Academy is a pathway to a K-12 ABS Special Education teaching license. This 15 month program is open to licensed teachers who are seeking an additional license in ABS, Employees currently working on a Tier 1 or 2 license, or ESPs. This is a non credit-bearning program that will result in an ABS license.

Both programs require a bachelor's degree.

Compare the programs and see which is right for you.

MSTR

• Open to unlicensed employees or employees of our community partners. Must have a bachelor's degree
• Participants earn a license in either K-12 ABS Special Education OR K-6 Elementary Education
• Participants co-teach with a licensed teacher over the course of the year and gradually take on more responsibility
• Participants exit the program with a Master's degree in Educaion as well as a teaching license
• Reduce credits and tuition supports offered for coursework

MPS-A

• Open to Licensed teachers seeking an additional license in Special Ed, Tier 1 or Tier 2 teachers, or ESPs. Must have a bachelor's degree
• Participants become the teacher of record for the school year and receive support from multiple educators over the course of the year
• Participants take 6 hours of classes a week in the evnings and/or weekends that will lead towards completion of their K-12 License over the course of the year
• There is no cost for the classes