Graduate Teacher Licensure Programs – KSP – College of Education

Admission Standards and Process

Admission into the graduate teacher licensure program at Minnesota State University occurs at three district levels:

To the Graduate School
To the Program
To Professional Education

I. Application to the Graduate School

Applicants should have submitted complete files a minimum of one month before the term of anticipated entry. Applications are accepted for any term or summer session. International students should complete their files and applications three months before the term of session of anticipated admittance. Students wishing to enroll in any KSP graduate or licensure program must be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies and Research and to the program. All applicants should submit the following to the College of Graduate Studies and Research:

A completed Application for Graduate Study;
Verification of pending baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university if undergraduate degree has not been completed;
Two official transcripts listing undergraduate/graduate degree(s) to be sent directly from the degree granting institution to the College of Graduate Studies and Research (including MSU students, undergraduates, faculty, and staff);
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in your undergraduate study. If the your GPA is below 3.0, you must have obtained a minimum GRE score of 500 on one or more portions (verbal, quantitative, or analytical) of the Graduate Record Exam;
Note: A candidate may request that the GRE be waived based on the following criteria: three references and 3.0 GPA based on last two years of undergraduate study or at least nine credits of graduate course work with a GPA of 3.0, or successful completion of a Masters degree from an accredited college or university.
Any additional information required for international students, if appropriate.

Where the GRE is required (see number 4 above), you must request that the testing institution send the official scores directly to the College of Graduate Studies and Research. Upon receipt of these materials, the College of Graduate Studies and Research will forward the applicant's file to the Department of Educational Studies: K-12 and Secondary Programs for admission recommendation.

Information about admission to the Graduate Studies and Research may be obtained at the following web site: http://www2.mnsu.edu/graduate/ or from:

Minnesota State University, Mankato
College of Graduate Studies & Research
115 Alumni/Foundation Center, Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (507) 389-2321
Fax: (507) 389-5974
Toll Free: (800) 722-0544
Email: Inquiries from the United States grad@mnsu.edu
Email: Inquiries from overseas international students gradintl@mnsu.edu

II. Application to the Program

In addition to the College of Graduate Studies and Research requirements, the applicant must submit the following directly to the Department of Educational Studies: K-1 2 and Secondary Programs:

A completed application to the College of Graduate Studies and Research;
Three letters of recommendation forms (154KB PDF) (available from the department office or on web site) focusing upon the applicant's academic potential as well as the individual's promise to become an effective professional educator (one of these recommendations must be from an undergraduate/graduate instructor or academic advisor, and it highly recommended one is from a current employer);
A completed Personal Statement form (152KB PDF) (available from the department office) summarizing the applicant's experiences and professional goals;
The applicant's professional resume; and
A completed and signed plan of study (15KB PDF). The plan of study must be signed by your advisor and the content specialist.

III. Background Check

The amended Minnesota Data Practices Act (1997) requires that we inform all graduate teacher licensure candidates that a background investigation will be conducted as part of the graduate K-12 mentorship placement process. The background investigation is currently used and required in many school districts throughout Minnesota.

The investigation will include an examination of information contained in public records including but not limited to criminal history records. The information is requested for determining your suitability and participation in the mentorship/student teaching program and is intended solely for screening purposes for school districts. It will not be used in a discriminatory manner.

Applicants are not legally required to provide the requested information or to consent to the background investigation. You may choose to refuse to supply the requested information. However, due to your refusal to either provide the requested information or consent to the background investigation, schools may not have the necessary information needed during the selection process of the mentor/student teacher and therefore choose not to include you.

Only individuals who have a legitimate need to access, conduct or place applicants will have access to applicant’s information. The information will be made available to Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) and public school employees that are involved in the mentor/student teacher placement process at the school district level. Any data collected, used or maintained by the Department of Educational Studies K-12 and Secondary Programs and the Office of Clinical and Field Experience about a candidate, is accessible to that candidate, upon request, as provided by the Minnesota Governmental Date Practices Act.

Admission

Admission will occur in the Fall and Spring Semester only. There will no consideration of admission until all of the above admission criteria have been met. All material must be received in the Department of Educational Studies: K-12 and Secondary Programs by April 2nd to be considered for the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program, and April 20th to be considered for the Master of Arts in Teaching. Early application is recommended, as enrollment is limited for both programs. Applicants will be notified regarding their admission status following the receipt of all required application materials.

Information about admission to the Graduate Studies and Research may be obtained at the following web site: http://www2.mnsu.edu/graduate/ or from:

Note: Personal statements, recommendation forms, plan of studies, mentorship applications, background check letters and resumes should be returned directly to:

Mailing Address:

Coordinator of Graduate Teacher Licensure Program, Educational Studies: K-12 and Secondary Programs
313 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001.
(507) 389-6116 Karla Worden: Administrative Assistant or
(507) 389-1965 Vicky Hudson: Administrative Assistant.
Phone: (507) 389-1965
Fax: (507) 389-5751
Toll Free: (800) 722-0544
Email: daria.dona@mnsu.edu

III. Application to Professional Education

After meeting all program requirements and receiving acceptance into either the Post-Bac. or MAT, candidates will need to apply for admittance into professional education. The process, material and requirements will be discussed and completed during the first class session. Prior to beginning the program it is highly recommended that each candidate successfully complete the Pre-professional Skills Test (PPST). The test score along with additional information will be needed prior to acceptance into professional education. ETS will no longer provide printed copies of the PPST (i.e., Tests at a Glance) booklets. They are available online at www.ets.org/praxis under Test Preparation. For additional information about the PPST or professional education please visit: /newweb/Advising/Praxis_PPST.html.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Daria Paul Dona at 507-389-2915 or email: daria.dona@mnsu.edu, or (507)-389-6116 Karla Worden: Administrative Assistant or (507)-389-1965 Vicky Hudson: Administrative Assistant.