College of Education and Human Development

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Mathematics education MEd and teaching license

The teaching master's of education and initial licensure program is a full-time, graduate-level pathway to becoming a licensed teacher. It is designed to train brand new teacher candidates through educational theory coursework, self-reflection, and classroom experience on our Twin Cities campus as well as in public schools throughout the metro. In just 12 months you can prepare to earn a tier 3 Minnesota teaching license

Earn Your Tier 3 Teaching License

12

month program (3 semesters)

Full-time

In-person cohort-based courses

Oct. 1 - Dec. 15

Applications accepted

Start your journey

    Earn your MN 5-12 teaching license to teach mathematics education in just over a year

    Our accelerated program will prepare you to step into your classroom with confidence and solid classroom experience. You will complete all of the required teaching hours through school-based field experiences and required coursework in 12 months. Our license is highly transferable to other states.

    This is a graduate-level, full-time program integrating educational theory with classroom practice. Our unique co-teaching program and cohort experience will help you gain the confidence you need to start in your own classroom with plenty of support. 

    Program details

    Program Duration

    • 12 months (3 semesters)

    Modality 

    • In-person, cohort-based work

    Schedule

    • Full time, Monday thru Friday  

    Timeline

    • Our program is sequential and each required course is offered once per academic year, beginning in the summer term. The program can be completed in 12 months. Summer term courses meet in both the mornings and afternoons. Fall courses meet in the afternoons and evenings. Spring courses meet in the evenings. Candidates will have year-long student teaching placements in middle or high school mathematics classrooms, spending 3 hours each morning in classrooms during Fall semester and full days in the classroom during Spring semester

    Cost

    • $9,984 per semester (MN resident)
    • $15,600 per semester (non-MN resident)

    Career outlook

    100% of math education graduates found teaching jobs within a year of completing licensure coursework (2020-2022 cohorts)

    Admission information

    Important dates:

    • October 1 - Application opens
    • December 15 - Application closes 
    Decisions are released mid February

    Application requirements

    International applicants

    International applicants may also need:

    • An English translation of your transcripts, if the transcript is not in English.
    • A course by course evaluation may be required.
    • TOEFL scores. Official TOEFL scores are required. You may qualify for an exception if you have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States. Please see the University of Minnesota TOEFL score requirements and submission guidelines from the Graduate School. Early application is advised to ensure timely admission.
    • International students with F-1 visas may take no more than the equivalent of one completely online education class (or 3 credits per semester) and count it towards their full-time course requirement. Full-time enrollment for graduate students is 6 credits. If you are enrolled in an online program and studying in your home country, you do not need full-time enrollment status.

    Admissions support

    How to navigate the application

    Application tips 

    Application checklist

    Application checklist 

    Additional admissions information

    Before applying online, make sure you have all the required materials. Download and refer to this application tip sheet as you work through the application. The included directions will help you complete your application quickly and smoothly.

    We are here to help! If you have questions, please contact the academic advisor in your program area:

    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

    Cost

    Minnesota Resident: $9,984 per semester

    Non-Minnesota resident: $15,600 per semester

    Tuition and funding

    Program prerequisites

    Before you are admitted to the MEd and Teaching license programs, you must complete some prerequisite coursework, which varies based on the type of license you are seeking. Below, you will find a list of prerequisites listed by license. Please email the program advisor your unofficial transcript(s).

    Program adviser:

    Please specify content to reference

    Request information

    We’re here to help. Complete our form and a member of our department will be in touch.

    Why choose a master's in mathematics education at the University of Minnesota?

    Our Mathematics Education MEd and teaching license program offers an accelerated, graduate-level pathway to becoming a licensed mathematics teacher in just 12 months. The coursework covers essential core teaching practices such as leading effective discussions, designing assessments, creating engaging learning activities, and mastering the principles of equitable mathematics teaching. Students also develop skills to meet the diverse needs of all learners, ensuring they are well-prepared to foster a dynamic and inclusive math classroom. This comprehensive program provides hands-on classroom experience, equipping you to make an immediate and lasting impact on students’ mathematical understanding. Additionally, our Minnesota teaching license is highly transferable, opening doors to teaching opportunities nationwide.

    About the program and coursework

    Master's of education

    This program includes two components: initial teaching licensure and MEd degree. The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers our teacher preparation programs at the graduate level because it affords you the opportunity to master your content knowledge through your undergraduate degree before being placed in a real classroom for an optimal learning experience.

    This model offers the following advantages:

    • Teachers with a master's degree are regarded as experts in their field, making you a more competitive job candidate with an MEd
    • Teachers with advanced degrees can be promoted to school administration positions and become mentors to other teachers based upon their graduate training.

    The coursework will cover core teaching practices including leading discussion, assessments, developing engaging activities, principles of equitable mathematics teaching, developing skills to meet the needs of all learners.

    See the core curriculum for the program in the University course catalog Teaching MEd page under the Math sub-plan.

      Program duration:

      12 months (3 semesters)

      Modality:

      In-person, cohort-based work

      Schedule:

      Our program is sequential and each required course is offered once per academic year, beginning in the summer term. The program can be completed in 12 months. Summer term courses meet in both the mornings and afternoons. Fall courses meet in the afternoons and evenings. Spring courses meet in the evenings. Candidates will have year-long student teaching placements in middle or high school mathematics classrooms, spending 3 hours each morning in classrooms during Fall semester and full days in the classroom during Spring semester.

      In order to be recommended for your Minnesota mathematics license(s), you must successfully complete these licensure requirements mandated by the state of Minnesota.

      This material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Office of Teacher Education at ote@umn.edu612-625-5060.

      Our unique co-teaching program and cohort experience will help you gain the confidence you need to start in your own classroom with plenty of support. You will engage in student teaching at both a middle school and a high school. Learn more about the student teaching experience.

      Quote from Ericka Storvick

      I appreciated that the U offered a one-year, intensive program that would allow me to become a teacher sooner, and that the student teaching hours were built into the program.

      Ericka Storvick MEd 2020

      Faculty

        Erin Baldinger Erin Baldinger

        My research centers on the preparation of secondary mathematics teachers. These areas of interest have emerged from my experiences as a middle school math teacher and as a mathematics teacher educator.

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        Erin Baldinger

        Lesa Clarkson Lesa Clarkson

        The foundation of my research agenda is mathematics in urban classrooms. This interest evolved from my initial study which examined a middle school reform mathematics curriculum to determine if mathematics achievement, as determined by the state…

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        Lesa Clarkson

        Irene Duranczyk Irene Duranczyk

        What motivates me in my work? Being a member of a community that is working to advance an engaged, multicultural peaceful world is my passion.

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        Irene Duranczyk

        Susan Staats Susan Staats

        As a cultural anthropologist with research and teaching responsibilities in mathematics, my academic pathway is varied and unusual.

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        Susan Staats

        Ranza Veltri Torres Ranza Veltri Torres

        My research takes a humanizing approach to investigating how school mathematics can function as a gatekeeper by centering the stories of math learners and doers.

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        Ranza Veltri Torres

        Terrence Wyberg Terrence Wyberg

        My teaching experience began as a high school mathematics teacher in Yuma, Arizona. Since that time, I have taught mathematics at the high school and college levels and mathematics education at the college level.

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        Terrence Wyberg
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