What is Early Childhood Education?
Minnesota has introduced numerous initiatives during the past 10 years or so in early childhood education (ECE). They have such a commitment to ECE that they have created somewhat of a disconnect, and now they are working to unite all of the committees and programs in a more efficient manner so that all children, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic standing, will receive a superior start to the previous educational experience.
Recently, the Minnesota Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and the Children’s Cabinet received a $4.7 million federal grant. This money will be dedicated to determining the best ways to coordinate programs, resources, and policies throughout all departments. The intent is to create a better landscape for early learning for all children and families in Minnesota.
Another initiative is the Early Childhood System Reform Team. This team was built to create alignment, synergies, and overall improvement throughout the Minnesota Departments of Human Services, Education, and Health, including early childhood education. The state is also addressing whether or not ECE teachers and support staff are providing the right techniques and approaches and assessing whether or not teachers need to improve upon additional skill sets and learning tools. The state of Minnesota is working to keep parents involved in the learning process from the beginning and to make funding more available to early education.
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Top Ranked Campus & Online Early Childhood Education Programs in Minnesota
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Score: 86.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,488
- Out-of-State:$36,402
- Net Price: $16,018
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 54,955
- Undergrad Students: 39,248
- Graduate Students: 15,707
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
St. Catherine University
Score: 74.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $49,758
- Out-of-State:$49,758
- Net Price: $19,976
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,577
- Undergrad Students: 2,404
- Graduate Students: 1,173
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Score: 71.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,000
- Out-of-State:$25,000
- Net Price: $17,776
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 5,544
- Undergrad Students: 3,071
- Graduate Students: 2,473
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Score: 70.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,490
- Out-of-State:$18,860
- Net Price: $16,809
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 14,590
- Undergrad Students: 12,676
- Graduate Students: 1,914
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Winona State University
Score: 69.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,498
- Out-of-State:$17,230
- Net Price: $18,187
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 6,154
- Undergrad Students: 5,403
- Graduate Students: 751
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
St. Cloud State University
Score: 69.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,117
- Out-of-State:$10,117
- Net Price: $14,065
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 10,420
- Undergrad Students: 8,569
- Graduate Students: 1,851
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Score: 69.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,336
- Out-of-State:$10,336
- Net Price: $17,939
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 4,682
- Undergrad Students: 3,729
- Graduate Students: 953
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Martin Luther College
Score: 67.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,770
- Out-of-State:$17,770
- Net Price: $22,293
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 880
- Undergrad Students: 755
- Graduate Students: 125
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
Score: 67.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,899
- Out-of-State:$10,899
- Net Price: $17,858
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 3,058
- Undergrad Students: 2,649
- Graduate Students: 409
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Southwest Minnesota State University
Score: 64.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,304
- Out-of-State:$10,304
- Net Price: $15,004
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 6,930
- Undergrad Students: 6,518
- Graduate Students: 412
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Metropolitan State University
Score: 62.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,780
- Out-of-State:$9,780
- Net Price: $19,347
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 6,294
- Undergrad Students: 5,488
- Graduate Students: 806
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Alexandria Technical & Community College
Score: 59.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,213
- Out-of-State:$6,213
- Net Price: $13,655
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 2,865
- Undergrad Students: 2,865
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $46,300
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Walden University
Score: 57.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,498
- Out-of-State:$12,498
- Net Price: $20,510
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 31%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 42,312
- Undergrad Students: 6,298
- Graduate Students: 36,014
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Minnesota North College
Score: 55.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,004
- Out-of-State:$7,302
- Net Price: $9,537
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 49%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 3,044
- Undergrad Students: 3,044
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $45,400
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Capella University
Score: 55.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,436
- Out-of-State:$14,436
- Net Price: $14,935
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 36%
- Graduation Rate: 21%
- Total Enrollment: 39,727
- Undergrad Students: 13,280
- Graduate Students: 26,447
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 35:1
Hennepin Technical College
Score: 54.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,881
- Out-of-State:$5,881
- Net Price: $11,400
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 3,974
- Undergrad Students: 3,974
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $46,500
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Ridgewater College
Score: 53.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,109
- Out-of-State:$6,109
- Net Price: $10,225
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,904
- Undergrad Students: 2,904
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $35,800
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Northland Community and Technical College
Score: 53.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,262
- Out-of-State:$6,262
- Net Price: $13,100
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 2,495
- Undergrad Students: 2,495
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,300
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Central Lakes College-Brainerd
Score: 53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,209
- Out-of-State:$6,209
- Net Price: $12,326
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 4,633
- Undergrad Students: 4,633
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
South Central College
Score: 49.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,146
- Out-of-State:$6,146
- Net Price: $10,514
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 2,602
- Undergrad Students: 2,602
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,500
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Steps to Become an Early Childhood Education Teacher in Minnesota
Minnesota continually has one of the best public-school systems in the US. As a result, the requirements to become even a preschool teacher may be far more demanding than other states. The state is also encouraging prospective teachers to specialize in areas where the state has a shortage, such as special education, as these jobs will be easier to obtain in the coming years. Minnesota is also working to encourage more minorities to become teachers.
Step 1. Get Your Degree
All prospective teachers must complete a variety of certificates and licensures to become a teacher in Minnesota. To become a lead teacher in a classroom for young children you will need to complete a state-approved bachelor’s degree program focused on early childhood education. You might also consider specialized certificate programs as a way to enter the field; however, you will still require a state license to teach in Minnesota for nearly all career levels. You will also be required to complete an in-depth background check to be able to work with children in any state. To become an ECE teacher or administrator, you must start with a bachelor’s degree in education, though it does not necessarily need to be early childhood education. You will also have to complete a number of programs dedicated to teacher preparation as mandated by the state. If you wish to work as an administrator, you will likely require at least a master’s degree. If you wish to work in a daycare or preschool as an assistant teacher, you will likely require an associate’s degree or some college education. Those who want to make a difference in the Head Start program only need to attain an associate’s degree.
During your early childhood education higher learning degree program, you will be required to complete hands-on experience in a classroom. The hours required will vary from program to program. Experience in early childhood education is highly valued for long-term employment. Many college and university students will find work experience that allows program participants to work with kids throughout their undergraduate experience to get ahead of the future competition.
In Minnesota, you must possess a specialty license to teach any subset of early childhood education. These licenses will vary, including a nursery school license, a prekindergarten license, an early childhood special education license, an early childhood education license, an elementary school license and more. Applicants can pursue different types of licenses for each sector, such as first-time full professional, limited full-time license, limited intern and two-year, short-call substitute. It is important to note that those who wish to teach kindergarten will require special endorsement licensure.
Check out our Financial Aid Guide National Rankings - best online bachelors National Rankings - best online mastersStep 2. Pass your Exams and Teacher Performance Assessments
Many states use the PRAXIS exams to assess teachers on their preparation for licensure. However, Minnesota replaced the PRAXIS tests with their own, called the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE). [Be aware that if you type this just slightly wrong you may end up looking at information for the Massachusetts tests, abbreviated as the MTEL, so careful not to get confused!]
These exams will test you on basic skills, pedagogy, and content are subjects. Tests are usually taken at a Minnesota college but there are other options so make sure to check before making an unnecessary drive.
The basic skills section has three subtests: math, reading, and writing ($25 each). The pedagogy section has two subtests: Early Childhood, I and Early Childhood, II ($35 each).
Step 3. Apply for Certification
Once you’ve finished an early childhood education program and your exams, you can submit verification to the Department of Education and apply for your teaching certification. You’ll also have to pay a fee and go through fingerprinting and a thorough background check. Once you’ve done this, you are good to go! Your new license to teach will be good for five years.
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If you are applying for licensure from out-of-state, and you already have a license from your state, you may be able to receive a one-year license that will allow you to teach while you complete everything you need to bring you up to speed on the Minnesota system. This may include taking the MTLE tests or coursework, or both. If you do not already have some form of licensure, you will likely have to complete these requirements without the benefit of a preliminary, one-year license.
Step 4. License renewal
You will need to be mindful of the requirements for license renewal during the five years your have your license. If you don’t complete these requirements, you may not be able to renew. During these five years, you’ll need to complete 125 hours of professional development. These hours must be completed with activities approved by your school district. You’ll also need to pay a licensing fee for the new license ($64) and list any recent criminal offenses.
Popular Career Choices:
- Preschool Teacher
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Elementary School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Educational Leadership
Potential Careers and Salaries for Graduates
Continuing education and specializations are highly valued in the Minnesota education system. STEM teachers and special education teachers continue to be some of the most in-demand careers in the education sector throughout the state. It is also important to note that Minnesota fully supports career development. Many programs are funded by state and federal grants to improve the quality of education provided in Minnesota. Though it has been noted that ECE professionals in rural areas have a greater challenge to reach these government-funded training and development programs than those who live in cities. It is also possible to pursue additional specialization and skill-based certifications online or at a nearby college or university.
Early Childhood Education Teaching Salaries in Minnesota
Each early childhood education position will vary based on a number of elements, such as years of experience, education qualifications, type of employer, and location. If you live and work in a metro area, you are likely to make more money than someone teaching at a rural school. Also, keep in mind that the number of teachers during the past six years, throughout the state of Minnesota, has increased by nearly 6% and is expected to grow by 6% again by 2026.
Occupation | Entry-Level | Mid-Career | Late-Career |
---|---|---|---|
Preschool Teacher | $27,300 | $28,800 | N/A |
Elementary School Teacher | $37,000 | $44,700 | $63,600 |
Professor of Education | $83,600 | $105,100 | $134,500 |
Elementary School Principle (national average) | $73,500 | $79,200 | $86,500 |
School Psychologist (national average) | $54,200 | $61,000 | $73,200 |
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