Become a Teacher
in Minnesota

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.

Prerequisite CourseworkMinnesota 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.

Teacher PreparationMinnesota Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.

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!
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.

Certification ReciprocityMinnesota 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

Teacher SalaryMinnesota 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.

Required TestsMinnesota Required Tests

In order to become a certified teacher, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.

Subject Area Competence

Teacher Certification Information & LinksMinnesota 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.