Diverse PreK-12 Teacher Licensure Tracks at MNSU
Minnesota State University-Mankato is also featured in our ranking Top 20 Best Master’s in Reading and Literacy Online.
At Armstrong Hall, the College of Education led by Dr. Jean Haar grants a 120-credit Special Education BS for Minnesota State University-Mankato Mavericks to earn the Academic & Behavioral Strategist license after student teaching from Saint Paul to Costa Rica with edTPA portfolios. Chaired by Dr. Lisa Vasquez, the Elementary Education BS builds a 120-credit, CAEP-accredited curriculum for K-6 certified teaching with an optional STEM Certificate plus 16-week field placements like Roosevelt Elementary or Bridges Community School. Other undergrad offerings include the Business Education BS, Middle School Education BS, Chemistry Teaching BS, Dance Education BS, German Teaching BS, School Health Education BS, Mathematics Teaching BS, and Social Studies Teaching BS.
Online via D2L Brightspace, the Library Media Education MS has a 34-credit, AASL-approved sequence ranked seventh nationally by SR Education Group for 24 months of affordable 600-level courses from Materials for Children to 21st Century Multiple Literacies and the Spring internship. Directed by Dr. Julie Carlson, the 34-credit Experiential Education MS uniquely focuses on project-based learning with Adventure Education Center practice for 96 percent job placement at Longleaf Wilderness, Stone Canyon, Outward Bound, Hampshire College, and more. Additional post-grad degrees include the Educational Technology MS, Elementary Education MS, Teaching & Learning MS, Special Education MS, Science Education MAT, English Teaching MAT, and Educational Leadership EdD.
About Minnesota State University-Mankato
Minnesota State University-Mankato originated on October 7, 1868, when the Mankato Normal School welcomed an inaugural class of 27 aspiring teachers to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1872, Julia Sears notably became the United States’ first female public school president at Mankato. Until the early 1900s, only one-year teaching diplomas were offered for the 3 Rs. In 1921, the Normal School was renamed Mankato State Teachers College. Six years later, the earliest Bachelor of Science in Education was awarded. In 1933, tuition was first charged at $10 per quarter. In 1957, President Clarence Crawford broadened the curriculum to create Mankato State College. By 1975, its Valley and Highland Campus were merged to form Mankato State University. In 1998, the Minnesota State University-Mankato name was chosen for this MnSCU System member. Accredited since 1916, Mankato was approved for applied doctorates in 2007.
Endowed for $45.8 million, Minnesota State University-Mankato now employs 750 faculty teaching 15,110 Mavericks from 90 countries online or at the 303-acre Blue Earth County campus with 200+ clubs like Teachers of Tomorrow. In 2014, Mankato received the American Public Works Association’s Diversity Exemplary Practices Award for the LEAD Initiative. In 2018, MNSU won the Minnesota Higher Tech Association’s Tekne Award. Minnesota State University-Mankato earned the 2018 CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award for Advancement Services too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked MNSU the 111th best Midwest college and 32nd top public school. On Niche, MNSU boasts America’s 293rd best Greek life, 275th best dining, and 377th best campus. Forbes placed Minnesota State University-Mankato 532nd overall with the 192nd top public education. The Institute of International Education also named MNSU the 29th most diverse.
Minnesota State University-Mankato Accreditation Details
On July 1, 2016, the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) updated the Institutional Status Report for Minnesota State University-Mankato to extend Level VI accreditation satisfactorily through 2025-26 under its 12th president, Dr. Richard Davenport, an American Council on Education Fellow. Located 431 miles east via Interstate 90 in Chicago, Illinois, this gigantic 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to evaluate MNSU’s one associate, 133 baccalaureate, 83 master’s, and five doctoral degrees. Specifically, the College of Education was reaffirmed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) on June 14, 2013. The Music Education BS is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) until 2023. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) approved the Art Teaching BS in 2017.
Minnesota State University-Mankato Application Requirements
Entering Minnesota State University-Mankato is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 7,141 of the 11,428 Fall 2017 applicants were okayed for 62.5 percent acceptance. First-year Mavericks must exceed the College Preparation Standards, including four units of English. Proof of GED composite scores of 580 or higher is permissible. Freshmen are guaranteed admission with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Same goes for class ranks in the upper 50th percentile and ACT scores above 21. On average, students present a 3.21 GPA, 1110 SAT, and 22 ACT mark. College of Education transfers must have 24+ credits with at least a 67 percent completion rate and 2.0 GPA. Graduate programs always require an accredited four-year bachelor’s. Most waive GRE requirements for overall GPAs over 3.0. MS cohorts must already possess initial teacher certification. Foreign residents also need a minimum 5.5 IELTS or 61 TOEFL internet score.
Minnesota State University-Mankato has rolling undergrad admission until five business days before semester starts. Only international students abide deadlines of June 15th for Fall and October 15th for Spring. The College of Education has general graduate deadlines of July 1st and November 1st. Student Affairs MS cohorts must apply by January 15th. The Educational Leadership EdD closes on April 1st each year. The Reading MS has December 1st, May 15th, and July 27th priority dates. Accordingly, complete the MNSU Application online with the $20 ($40 if graduate) fee. Forward official transcripts to 122 Taylor Center in Mankato, MN 56001. Fulfill program checklist items like the entrance exam, immunization form, 2-3 reference letters, résumé or CV, teaching certificate, and personal statement. Pose further questions to (507) 389-5445 or Col-of-Education@mnsu.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Minnesota State University-Mankato billed in-state undergrads $280 per credit or $3,589 each semester. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition was $7,614 by term or $603 by credit. The Midwest Compact lowered costs to $421 per credit or $5,383 every semester. Flat-rate mandatory fees were $502 each term. Room and board for the Mankato campus’ dorms like Preska Hall added $9,352 yearly. MNSU budgeted $2,966 for other living expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equaled $20,502 in-state, $24,092 for Midwesterners, and $28,554 out-of-state. The College of Education has graduate tuition of $465 per credit. The Educational Leadership EdD is one exception priced at $597 per credit. Note online courses require a $36 distance learning fee per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Campus Hub in Centennial Student Union Room 117 connects 49 percent of full-time MNSU Mavericks to financial aid averaging $5,216 apiece for $33.82 million combined. Teaching funds include the Marie Eustice/Annexstad Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, Claire Faust Educational Leadership Scholarship, Educators of Color Scholarship, George & Anne Haefner Scholarship, Gerry & Jean Eick Scholarship, Peter Wittmer Scholarship, Tierra Walker Scholarship, Davenport Family Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship, and International Travel Scholarship. The Charles & Ellora Alliss Scholarship gifts up to $3,000 for Minnesota residents with unmet need and GPAs over 2.5. The $32,000 Meredith Scholar Award selects STEM teaching majors who’ve earned at least 27 ACT scores. FAFSA applications coded 002360 determine federal aid, including Teach Grant and Teacher Loan Forgiveness, eligibility. The Minnesota Teacher Candidate Grant also provides $7,500 during student teaching for in-state residents.
Continue exploring Minnesota State University-Mankato at the College of Education website.
