Become a Teacher
in Minnesota
Certification Roadmap
*Click buttons to jump to sectionMinnesota Highlights
$54040
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$50460
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
119%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in Minnesota, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Minnesota Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Minnesota, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
Minnesota Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Minnesota is coming soon!
Minnesota Certification Reciprocity
Minnesota will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Minnesota Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Delaware | Florida | Georgia |
| Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Kansas |
| Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Michigan |
| Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada |
| New Hampshire | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina |
| North Dakota | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania |
| South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas |
| Utah | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
Minnesota Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Minnesota provides no support for teachers teaching in high needs schools or teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Minnesota has no induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Minnesota makes $54,040
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Minnesota makes $50,460
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Minnesota makes 119% of the salary of the average worker in Minnesota
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Minnesota receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
Teachers with advanced degrees can earn higher salaries and enjoy more job security. This page is sponsored by MAT@USC, an innovative Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online by the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more about how USC can put you on the road to successful and rewarding teaching career in Minnesota.
Minnesota Teacher Certification Information & Links
This page is sponsored by MAT@USC, a Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Minnesota.


