Application Process

Application Deadlines

Application materials must be submitted approximately 6 months before student teaching occurs. The due dates are as follows:

• Fall semester student teaching - Application due by the 3nd Friday in February
• Spring semester student teaching - Application due by the 2nd Friday in September

YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE JUDGED FOR COMPLETENESS AND FOR APPEARANCE - PLEASE TYPE INTO THE FORMS AND PRINT THEM OUT.

STEP ONE:  Get a criminal background check

Did you complete the on-line criminal background check form and submit your payment using a credit or debit card?  Results of this process will be accessed by the Office of Field Experience and must be completed in order to process your application.  If not, return to http://ed.mnsu.edu/clinical/teachinginfo

 These background checks are NON-TRANSFERABLE and CANNOT BE OBTAINED OR USED FOR THE PURPOSES OTHER THAN FOR CLINICAL(S) OR STUDENT TEACHING.

STEP TWO:  Put together an application packet including all numbered items listed below

1.  Application Forms - four copies (stapled)

Click on the appropriate link below to open a PDF file (Adobe Acrobat) for student teaching applications. Type into the form within your web browser and print out four copies. After printing the applications, please sign all four copies and have your advisor(s) sign them as well. Note: Do not wait until the last minute to get the signature from your advisor.

Elementary and Early Childhood

• Elementary Education Licensure(199KB PDF)
• Early Childhood Education Licensure(P-3)(206KB PDF)
• Licensure Extension (adding licensure to an existing license, not Special Ed)(33KB PDF)

K-12 and Secondary Programs - Undergraduate

• KSP Licensure (grades 5-12)(229KB PDF)
• KSP Licensure (grades K-12)(229KB PDF)
• Licensure Extension (adding licensure to an existing license, not Special Ed)(33KB PDF)

K-12 and Secondary Programs - Graduate

• KSP Graduate Teacher Licensure (MAT, Post Baccalaurate)(188KB PDF)

Special Education - Undergraduate

• Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD) Licensure(177KB PDF)

Special Education - Graduate ***Please note that Special Education Graduate applications do not require an advisor signature

• Graduate Special Education Licensure(264KB PDF)
• Grad Coop Teacher Agree Form(144KB PDF)
• Grad Building Admin Agree Form (145KB PDF)

2.  Placement Preference & Location - one copy each

Placement form(181KB PDF) Placement Location document(27KB PDF)Download the to fill out the form for your placement preference.  Download the to view the areas available.
·      Be sure to mark your top three choices by area, not by individual schools

3.  Transcripts - one copy each

·      An unofficial transcript from Minnesota State University, Mankato

·      An unofficial transcript from your previous college/university (if applicable)

·      Any waivers or substitutions forms from Minnesota State, Mankato (if applicable).  On your Application Form put an asterisk in the “Term” column if that class is a substitution.

4.  Autobiography - 4 copies, double-spaced, stapled not paperclipped

This autobiography will be read by administrators and cooperating teachers as your personal introduction.  Clarity of expression, thoughtfulness of content and grammatical correctness is important.  (Past student teachers have been denied placement by school districts due to poorly written autobiographies.) Have several people proofread your copy or visit the Center for Academic Success in the Library for help.  The Autobiography should

1. Be no longer than two to three double-spaced typed pages, excluding a title page
2. Be centered around significant educational experiences, particularly if they influenced your decision to become a teacher
3. Contain comments on your experiences with children and youth and comments on your clinical experiences.
4. Include information about hobbies and interests especially as they relate to influencing your teaching.

5.  Authorization for release of student information - one copy

·   Download Authorization for Release of Student Information here.

·   This form allows us to release your paperwork to any school district.

6.  Provide proof of professional liability insurance. 

You have several options to meet this requirement; however, you need to make sure your coverage will extend through the semester in which you are student teaching. 

Option 1: You can receive professional liability insurance for student teaching from Education Minnesota as a student member.  Visit www.educationminnesota.org to see details of student benefits. Submit a copy of member verification.

Option 2: Professional liability insurance from the Association of American Educators.  Visit http://www.aaeteachers.org/insurance.shtml to see details of student member benefits. Submit a copy of member verification.

Option 3: Some of your content specific professional organizations offer professional liability insurance.  Submit a copy of your current membership along with a copy of the liability insurance benefit statement from the organization.

Option 4:  If you are covered for professional liability in a school setting from another insurance provider, please provide a copy of insurance card and section of policy indicating your coverage.

STEP THREE:  Turn in your application materials

Turn in all of your application materials in a manila folder to the Office of Field Experience,  Armstrong Hall Room 119, by the appropriate deadline – dates are for the semester prior to desired assignment date.  For example, application for a student teaching assignment in Spring 2008 has a Friday, September 14, 2007 deadline.

Late applications will not be accepted.

·      Fall Student Teaching Applications – Due 3^nd Friday in February

·      Spring Student Teaching Applications – Due 2^nd Friday in September

STEP FOUR:  Attend the Information Group Meetings

A group information meeting with the Director of Field Experience will be held the semester prior to student teaching i.e. in November for spring Student Teachers and April for fall Student teachers.  These meeting dates will be posted on the web at http://ed.mnsu.edu/clinical/ and on the wall outside of 119 Armstrong Hall.  This meeting is mandatory and no placement will be finalized unless you have attended the scheduled informational group meeting.

STEP FIVE:  Register for courses

Register for appropriate student teaching courses.  More information can be found at http://ed.mnsu.edu/clinical/teachinginfo/course.html