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Urban Secondary Teacher Preparation Graduate Certificate

[Program Overview] [Program Outcomes] [Curriculum] [Admission Requirements] [Application Deadlines] [Contact Information]

Program Overview

The Urban Secondary Teacher Preparation Graduate Certificate is part of a standards-based alternative pathway for persons with a bachelor's degree or higher who seek a Minnesota grades 5-12 teaching license to teach math, science, English, or social studies in urban middle schools and high schools. Completing the coursework for the certificate along with other program and state requirements qualifies urban teacher candidates to apply for initial state teaching licensure. Please note that the graduate certificate is NOT itself a license to teach, nor is it a master's degree program.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the certificate program and post-baccalaureate process towards licensure will be able to:

demonstrate proficiency in meeting the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice for Beginning Teachers required of all teacher candidates seeking a licensure recommendation to the state;
demonstrate competence in meeting the needs of diverse urban youth to a high-quality, rigorous, culturally-responsive education;
demonstrate respect for urban learners, their development, their families and their communities with "unconditional positive regard" and a focus on their assets and resiliency; and
integrate professional, social-cultural, instructional, and subject matter competence required by standards for teacher licensure and the needs of urban schools.

Curriculum

There are four areas of course requirement for Initial Grades 5-12 Licensure:

Content Coursework (credit varies)

The Any content area coursework in communication arts and literature, life science/general science, mathematics or social studies necessary to meet Board of Teaching content standards not satisfied by your previous degree. This coursework is only offered at the undergraduate level. Needed coursework is determined after faculty review of prior degree(s) and learning.

Professional Education Coursework (28 credits)

Content Methods Coursework (4-8 credits depending on licensure area)

Praticum and Field Experience (8 credits)

Total Credits, Residency and Graduation Requirements

For the purpose of gaining initial teaching licensure, post-baccalaureate students can complete either graduate (600-level) or undergraduate level (300-400 level) courses. However, at least half of your required EDU coursework must be completed at the graduate level to be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Urban Secondary Teacher Preparation from Metropolitan State.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Urban Teacher Program as a post-baccalaureate student, you must:

have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.5 and/or a GPA of 2.75 for courses taken at the graduate level (assessed by transcripts);
have satisfactorily completed at least 12 semester credits at the undergraduate or graduate level in the subject area of licensure being sought (assessed by transcripts);
demonstrate a commitment to teaching in an urban setting (assessed by letter of application, interview);
have at least 40 hours of experience working with diverse youth or observing classrooms in an urban setting (assessed by verifiable documentation of field experience);
demonstrate understanding of and respect for the needs of diverse learners in urban communities (assessed by letter of application, recommendations, faculty interview, and completion of EDU 600); and
provide evidence of professional conduct when interacting with students and fellow educators (assessed by recommendations, letter of application, faculty interview).

Application Deadline

Fall Semester, August 1
Spring Semester, December 1
Summer Semester, April 1

Contact Information

For more information about the program, and/or admission requirements,

Visit: http://choose.metrostate.edu/utp
E-mail: UTP-Admissions@metrostate.edu or
Call: (612) 659-7180

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