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M.A. in Teaching
Embrace your passion for teaching: Earn your degree in just one year.
It’s never too late to pursue your dream of becoming a teacher. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we understand that career paths can change, and we offer a faster way to turn your passion for education into a reality.
Our accelerated MAT program is designed for individuals from all backgrounds and industries. If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you can apply to our licensure preparation program and complete your degree in just one year. Join us on our Winona, MN campus and embark on an inspiring journey to become a teacher.
In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a range of specialty subject areas and teaching endorsements. Whether you excel in math, social studies, science, music, or any other subject, we have the resources and expertise to help you specialize and bring your unique skills and passions to the classroom.
At Saint Mary’s, we take pride in our legacy of educating teachers. Our reputation for excellence in teacher education sets us apart, ensuring that you receive a comprehensive and high-quality education that prepares you for success in the classroom.
By choosing to become a teacher with us, you’re not only changing your own career path but also making a difference in the lives of future students. Embrace your passion for teaching, earn your degree in just one year, and embark on a fulfilling journey that will shape the lives of others.
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Program Highlights
- Participate in the ISTEP-Noyce project at Saint Mary’s to become an impactful STEM teacher, inspiring young minds while receiving financial support, training, and mentoring. This program aims to increase the number of diverse secondary STEM teachers committed to teaching in high-need schools and make a lasting difference in students’ lives. Learn more.
- Tailor your degree to your specific career goals by choosing teaching licensure areas and specialties that align with your interests. Whether you aspire to teach in elementary education, secondary education, or specialize in a specific subject area, our program offers a diverse range of options to meet your needs.
- With 100 field experience hours and a dedicated student teaching component, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real classroom settings, working alongside experienced educators to refine your teaching skills.
- Immerse yourself in a vibrant and supportive campus community by exploring the option to live on campus during your time in the program. Living on campus offers the advantage of being in close proximity to faculty, resources, and a network of fellow aspiring educators, fostering collaboration and a sense of belonging.
- Broaden your perspective and enhance your cultural competency through opportunities to study abroad. Our program recognizes the importance of global perspectives in education and provides avenues for you to engage with diverse educational systems and experiences, deepening your understanding of teaching in a global context.
- Discover scholarships available through our partnerships with several regional and national employers. See if your employer is part of our Trusted Partnership Program. Learn more.
What You'll Learn
- Learning experiences that are meaningful for students
- Learning opportunities that support a student’s personal development
- Instructional opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds
- Student development through instructional strategies
- Active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom
- Evaluate, synthesize, and disseminate research related to educational practice
Virtual Information Session
Admissions
Ready to apply? Learn about taking the next steps.
- Applicants may apply for admission to a master’s degree program at any time during the year.
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
- Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework.
- Applicants must complete an interview with a program director.
Students with transcripts from universities outside the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada (except for the Quebec Province) must take and pass English proficiency testing.
Saint Mary’s accepts:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
- Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
- International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
- Duolingo with a minimum score of 100.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee (fee not required for alumni or students seeking readmission or veterans and active military personnel), and
- An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits.
- An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution.
- Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.
- Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted.
- A personal statement which includes:
- brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience; and
- statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program and,
- statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program and,
- personal information the applicant wishes to share.
- Names of two people (including title, organization, email, phone number) who could serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you in a professional capacity, such as current or former supervisors.
- A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.
- Applicants with international transcripts may require an English language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or MELAB accepted.)
Please Note: Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Twin Cities Campus.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55404Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu
Please reach out with any questions about the application process.
Phone: (612) 728-5100
Toll-free: (866) 437-2788E-mail: tcadmission@smumn.edu
July 1, 2023
July 24, 2023
You can expect to be notified about your acceptance approximately two weeks following your application completion date.
Tuition & Fees
We help you find ways to finance your education.Talk to your Enrollment Counselor about scholarships, loans, and other ways to make your education affordable.
Course Catalog
In addition to foundational courses, you’ll engage in field experience and student teaching. The course catalog provides complete information about course requirements.
Career Outlook
A surge in student enrollment over the next several years is creating an urgent need for licensed teachers in preschool, elementary and secondary schools nationwide. Careers are projected to grow 10% from 2020 to 2030 with about 920,500 new job openings.1
Elementary Teacher
$61,350 per year*Instructional Designer
$63,740 per year*High School Teacher
$61,820 per year*Related Programs
Discover the power to empower with Saint Mary’s advanced degree programs in education.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom:
Student Central: Your one stop for student services.
Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.
Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students.
Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education
Tuition for the 2023-24 school year is $545 per credit. There will be minimal additional program fees.
Yes, there is the ISTEP program as well as other federal and state programs.
Student teaching is a semester-long, full-time experience in a K-12 school under the guidance of a supervisor from Saint Mary’s and a cooperating teacher licensed by the State of Minnesota.
News and Information from the School of Education
Sources and Disclaimer
- O*NET Online, Minnesota Wages, Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary at https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/11-9032.00?st=MN (Visited March 10, 2022).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#:~:text=Median%20wage%20data%20are%20from,for%20all%20workers%20was%20%2445%2C760. (Visited May 10, 2023).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Instructional Coordinators at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (Visited May 10, 2023).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm (Visited May 10, 2023).