| What is the time commitment and how long will it take to complete the program?
It will take 13 months to complete the program and it requires a full-time commitment during the school year. Summer classes are quite intensive, but it might be possible to work a few hours on weekends or during the breaks. It is not reasonable to expect to continue extensive employment while completing the program. If committing to a full-time program is not possible for you at this time, please complete the Survey of Additional Program Needs and return it to us so that we may take your needs into account when we consider developing additional programs.
What can I expect to pay for the program?
The estimated cost for tuition and program fees is $11,000 for the 30 credit licensure program. In addition you will have to pay for the tests required for licensure for all Minnesota teachers. The total estimated cost of those tests is $500. You will also have the expense of textbooks and materials for the courses as well as your personal living costs.
What sources of financial support are there?
It is not possible for WSU to pay a stipend or scholarship to all students accepted in this program. Each person may explore their eligibility for loans or other forms of financial aid by contacting the WSU Office of Financial Aid or other sources.
What if I don’t have a degree closely related to the licensure field I want to teach?
If you don’t have significant course background in a field closely related to the field you want to teach, you will not be eligible for this program. It has been designed to allow people with a bachelor’s degree in specific areas to learn how to become a teacher. See the Table of Appropriate Majors for guidance on whether this program is suitable for you to pursue. You may want to pursue a different program for teacher licensure at WSU or another institution.
How does this program differ from the other licensure programs at WSU?
It differs in several ways. It allows you to earn the licensure at the graduate level which boosts your earning power when you obtain a teaching position. In addition, it is a collaborative delivery model which provides significant classroom experience and work with classroom teachers in addition to university faculty. Another significant difference is that it allows you to attempt to complete the licensure without taking any additional undergraduate content courses if you are able to pass the Praxis II content test and to document mastery of content standards that are missing from your coursework.
Why do I need to take the Praxis I test and the Praxis II content test before being admitted to the program?
The Praxis tests are required for licensure in the state of Minnesota. The Praxis I tests assure that you have basic skills in reading, writing and math in order to be an effective teacher. All WSU students applying to the Education Department must take these tests prior to admission to a teaching licensure program. For the TLC program, passing the Praxis I tests and the Praxis II content test is an assurance to you and to us that you have the basic skills and content knowledge that you will need to be successful in the program.
At the end of the year-long practicum, it will be necessary to pass the Praxis II Principles of Teaching and Learning test in order to obtain your Minnesota license. You can learn more about these tests by going to www.ets.org/praxis
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