Elementary education MEd and teaching license, dual language immersion focus
This hybrid online and in-person two-year program prepares you to teach elementary education content to students in both dual language/immersion classrooms and those where English is the language of instruction. You will earn a master’s of education (MEd) degree and qualify for a teaching license in K-6 classrooms. The program is grounded by the three goals of dual language education 1.) Promotion of bilingualism and biliteracy 2.) Grade-level academic achievement in two languages 3.) Intercultural consciousness and positive bilingual identities.
Dual language immersion expertise is a high needs area in Minnesota. The Minnesota Advocates for Immersion Network estimates that more than 15,000 students in Minnesota learn their subject matter in a language other than English.
Is this program right for you?
This program is designed for bilingual individuals who have a bachelors degree including:
- New graduates
- Education assistants, paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, parents
- Tier 1 or Tier 2 teachers seeking a Tier 3 license currently in immersion, indigenous, or bilingual programs
- International students
- Indigenous language specialists
- People who enjoy interacting with children in two languages
About the program
Masters of education
Combining an MEd with your teaching license offers the following advantages:
- Teachers who have a master's degree will see a roughly $7,000 annual salary increase [Teacher.org]
- Though the salary increase with a master's degree will vary by district and state, Minnesota teachers are on the higher end of the payscale.
- Teachers with advanced degrees can be promoted to school administration positions and can become mentors to other teachers based upon their graduate training.
Timeline
Classes are held one to two weeknights per week (synchronous online and asynchronous online) and on Saturdays (synchronous online and asynchronous online; once a month in-person on campus). Students may need to take time off to work to complete 100 hours of field experiences and the 14 weeks of student teaching.
Summer 2026: 6 credits
Fall 2026: 6 credits
Spring 2027: 6 credits, 50 hour field experience in a Dual Language or Immersion school
Summer 2027: 6 credits, 50 hour field experience in a diverse context (may be a DLI school)
Fall of 2027: 6 credits, Student Teaching in a Dual Language or Immersion school (14 continuous weeks)
Spring 2028: 6 credits, May graduation; apply for MN teaching license *the program plan for field experience and student teaching may vary for Tier 2 teachers
Program experience
Our program is unique and offers the following core experiences:
- A teacher cohort studying together for two years
- Face-to-face and online coursework
- Candidates can complete the program while continuing to work
- Innovative and equity-driven curriculum
- University coursework concurrent with school-based experiences
In addition to learning the K-6 content and pedagogy, the program infuses dual language and immersion-specific topics including:
- Biliteracy development
- Language-focused teaching strategies
- Teaching English-language learners
- Culturally-responsive pedagogies
Prerequisites
You must have completed courses in at least three of the following areas before beginning the program. Remaining prerequisite coursework may be completed during the program, but must be finished before applying for a Tier 3 license.
- College-level algebra (or higher)
- Science (biological, earth, or physical sciences)
- Social science
- Literature
How to apply
Application deadline and instructions
- October 1, 2025: Application opens
- December 15, 2025: Priority application deadline
- March 1, 2026: Final application deadline
- June 2026: Summer term begins in Minneapolis, MN
Please note: an interview and admission decision will occur following each application deadline. Candidates only need to participate in one application round.
Do you have questions? Contact:
What we look for
Strong applications will demonstrate:
- A commitment to social justice and equity through working with diverse populations and underrepresented, or marginalized, group
- A capacity for critical self-reflection
- How teaching is a thoughtful and informed career choice
Application process
Step 1: Review language testing requirements to determine if there is any additional testing you will need to complete before being admitted to the program.
Step 2: Apply to our program using our free, internal application. See “Apply here” link below. For this step, you will need: all unofficial undergraduate transcripts (in English) from any post-secondary institution you have received credit from and your resume.
Step 3: If your application and references are strong, you will be invited to participate in an interview with program staff in the weeks following the deadline.
Step 4: Following the internal program application process, those we plan to admit will be given instructions to complete the Graduate School Application. Only those who are invited should complete the Graduate School application.
Program Prerequisites
Prerequisites
You must have completed courses in at least three of the following areas before beginning the program. Remaining prerequisite coursework may be completed during the program, but must be finished before applying for a Tier 3 license.
- College-level algebra (or higher)
- Science (biological, earth, or physical sciences)
- Social science
- Literature
Language testing requirements
English:
- It is both a Graduate Admissions requirement to demonstrate readiness to participate in graduate-level studies in English at the University as well as a program requirement to demonstrate readiness to teach in a dual-language context in the target language.
- If you received a bachelor’s degree in the United States, or outside of the US from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, no additional evidence of English proficiency is required except the transcript of coursework.
- If you received your bachelor’s degree outside of the US, from an institution where English was not the primary language of instruction, you will need to show evidence of proficiency in English. Submit an official score from one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB prior to interviewing. For more information on these exams and the minimum score requirements and additional ways your proficiency may be evaluated, please visit the Graduate School's English language proficiency page.
Target Immersion Language:
- If you grew up speaking the target immersion language in the home, or have developed proficiency in some other setting, no testing is required if you are currently employed in a bilingual school setting where proficiency in the target language is required for your position. This will be verified by the program. Those NOT employed in a dual language or immersion school using the target language each day will need to demonstrate a minimum Advanced Low in the Oral Proficiency Interview for admission*.
- If you received your bachelor’s degree outside of the US, from an institution where the target immersion language was the primary language of instruction, no testing is required.
- If you grew up speaking English in the home (non-native target language speakers), target language testing is required. Submit an official score from the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) to demonstrate readiness to teach in a dual language context in the target language. Advanced Low is the minimum level accepted for admission*.
*Exceptions may be made for qualified candidates who earn an Intermediate High proficiency on the OPI
Tuition and funding
To get you started, we have created a tutorial to review your scholarship and financial aid options. Watch the scholarship video tutorial.
Financial aids
- Apply for financial aid and scholarships when you submit your application
- Each year we award partial scholarships to qualified teaching candidates. Teaching candidates received over $600,000 in scholarships from CEHD last year.
- If you intend to teach a high-need subject in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income families, you may be eligible to receive grants of up to $4,000/year. Learn more about the TEACH grant on Onestop.
- If you plan to teach full time for five complete and consecutive years in schools that serve low-income families, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 through a program administered by the federal government.
- Learn more about teacher loan forgiveness
Undergraduate course requirements and licensure information
- MEd / Initial Licensure in K-6 Elementary Education Licensure Checklist
- MEd / Initial Licensure in K-6 Elementary Education Prerequisite Course Evaluation Review Sheet
Non-native speakers of English must meet additional University language requirements. More information is available on the Graduate School website.
Request information
We're here to help. Simply complete one of these forms and a member of our team will be in touch