Become
Becoming a special educator.
Overview
In Minnesota Special Education, we provide information about courses and resources to help educators obtain certification to become special educators.
Roadmap
Tiered Licensure
Step by step process for licensure through PELSB (Tiered Licensure).
Apply for a License
Minnesota School Jobs
Minnesota School Jobs helps educators connect directly with hiring administrators in public, PreK-12 schools across the state. Discover schools and programs eager to meet aspiring and veteran educators. View current job postings from schools across all of Minnesota and be seen by principals and administrators by clicking the botton below.
Access Minnesota School Jobs
Special Education Preparation Programs (SEPP)
St. Thomas University
Graduate Studies: Special Education at St. Thomas University.
Apply Now
The University of St. Thomas Special Education Programs - Panopto video (3:59 min, sec )
The University of St. Thomas Special Education Programs - Panopto video (4:45 min, sec )
Bethel University
Belong and Become a Special Educator at Bethel University.
Undergraduate programs leading to ABS license.
Graduate programs (initial license, add-on license, and/or Master's degree) leading to ABS, EBD, ASD, or DD license.
Bemidji State University 2
Bethany Lutheran College
ABS Undergraduate - all online for additional licensure or hybrid for traditional undergraduate
EBD -all online for additional licensure
ASD -all online for additional licensure
Apply Now
College of St. Scholastica
- K-12 Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS)
- Special Education Minor
- Master of Science (MS) in Special Education
The programs mentioned above are offered online.
Apply Now
MN State University, Moorhead
ABS Undergraduate - all online for additional licensure or hybrid for traditional undergraduate
EBD -all online for additional licensure
ASD -all online for additional licensure
Apply Now
Special Education at Minnesota State University Moorhead - YouTube video (7:30 min, sec)
Southwest Minnesota State University
Undergraduate or Graduate initial licensing:
* Online or on-campus
- Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS)
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Graduate additional licensing:
*Online
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Developmental Cognitive Disorders (DCD)
- Emotional and behavioral Disorders (EBD)
- Learning Disabilities (LD)
Apply Now
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Undergraduate licensure programs (para to teacher options):
- Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS) - in-person with online options
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) - in-person with online options
- Graduate licensure programs with or without licensure:
- Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS) - fully online with in-person field experiences
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) - hybrid with in-person field experiences
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) - fully online with in-person field experiences
- Emotional and behavioral Disorders (EBD) - fully online with in-person field experiences
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) certificate - fully online
Apply Now
Augsburg University
Earn graduate programs in Education.
Apply Now
Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota
LDA’s Institute for Special Educators:
Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS) Teacher Prep & Licensure program
Apply Now
St. Cloud State University
- SPED Major and Minor
- Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS) Initial Licensure (Undergraduate and Graduate)
- Graduate Certifications:
- Academic Behavior Strategist (ABS)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD )
- Developmental Delay (DD)
- Emotional and behavioral Disorders (EBD)
- Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
Apply Now
Hamline University School of Education and Leadership Programs
Hamline University School of Education and Leadership programs are designed to meet the needs of working professionals with evening and summer classes as well as fully online options.
We offer initial and additional special educational licenses in the following areas:
- Academic and Behavioral Strategist –
- Traditional or Para Pathways with options for flexible undergraduate & graduate programs such as online, hybrid and on-campus.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (undergraduate & graduate, online)
- Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education
- Teachers in MAT program can start at any time and finish in two years or at their own pace.
Hamline is committed to training and supporting teachers in applying proven, culturally relevant pedagogical practices in urban schools. Scholarships and mentoring are available for aspiring teachers who are people of color, indigenous or American Indian through The Center of Excellence in Urban Teaching.
Apply Now
The University of St. Thomas Special Education Programs - YouTube video (9:54 min, sec)
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
The Master of Arts in Special Education graduate program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers initial licensure in the following areas:
- K-12 Specific Learning Disability (LD)
- K-12 Emotional Behavioral Disability (EBD)
- Birth-21 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
All programs are delivered fully online, providing flexibility for students. Additionally, in-person field experiences are integrated into the program, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world settings.
Know Your Region
A list of all regional districts in the state of Minnesota in alphabetical order by region.
View Regions