Join a community dedicated to helping all students succeed
At the University of Minnesota, our faculty, staff, and students are committed to engaging in meaningful research—and to bridging research and practice—to improve the lives of children and families in diverse contexts, and to have a lasting impact on teacher education, leadership, and policy. NXT GEN Teach uses a cohort model, which means as a student and, later an alum, you’ll become part of a community of passionate and knowledgeable special educators located throughout the state of Minnesota.
Start your journey
Undergraduate degree and teaching licensure
Our undergraduate programs are designed for those working full-time who are looking to finish their bachelor's degree and earn their teaching license.
BS with academic and behavioral strategist licensure
Earn your bachelor's of science (BS) in special education and academic and behavioral strategist (ABS) teaching license, through online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach students with mild-moderate disabilities in K-12 school systems and age 18-22 transition programs.
BS with early childhood special education licensure
Earn your bachelor's of science (BS) in special education and early childhood special education (ECSE) teaching license, through online course options. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to be licensed to teach infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with delays/disabilities in a wide variety of home, community, and school settings.
Graduate degree with teaching licensure
Earn your master’s degree and a teaching license for academic and behavior strategist (ABS), early childhood special education (ECSE), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), or emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Our programs are taught online and in the evening with in-person field experiences in your community. All are designed for working professionals.
Academic and behavioral strategist MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with an academic behavior strategist (ABS) license through online courses and in-person field experiences in your community. The ABS license can serve as your initial license or add-on to another license. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work in K-12 schools or age 18-22 transition programs with students who have a broad array of disabilities (examples include: autism, learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities, other health disabilities).
Deaf and hard of hearing MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) license through online courses, in-person field experiences in your community, and several in-person events. The DHH license can serve as your initial license or add-on to another license. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work in school systems supporting infants through students up to age 21 with diverse identities and hearing levels.
Early childhood special education MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with an early childhood special education (ECSE) license through online courses and in-person field experiences in your community. The ECSE can serve as your initial license or add-on to another license. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work as a home visitor or in classroom settings, supporting families and their infants through preschoolers who have a broad array of conditions and disabilities (examples include: developmental delays, autism, emotional or behavioral disorders, speech or language impairments, chromosomal abnormalities, low birth weight).
Emotional or behavioral disorders MEd and licensure
Earn your master’s of education with an emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) license through online courses and in-person field experiences in your community. The EBD can serve as your initial license or as an add-on to another license, Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to work in K-12 schools or age 18-22 transition programs with students who have emotional or behavioral disorders with high intensity needs supported through a broad range of settings.
MEd with or without licensure
Advance your expertise for work within school systems, while also having the option to become eligible to obtain a teaching license from one of our teacher licensure programs.
Contact us
Residency vs. apprenticeship
To qualify for a residency or apprenticeship program as defined by the state of Minnesota, you cannot be the current teacher of record.
NXT GEN Teach Residency
The NXT GEN Teach residency program is designed for working paraprofessionals.
- Complete the program in two years
- Gain experience student teaching for one year in a partner district school
- Build a network of future colleagues in cohort-based model
- Get support from a cooperating teacher, trained by NXT GEN Teach
NXT GEN Teach Apprenticeship
A NXT GEN Teach Apprenticeship has all of the characteristics of the residency program and offers progressive wage increases upon your completion of the program. To be considered an apprenticeship in the state of Minnesota, NXT GEN Teach requires:
- A memo of understanding between the district and the apprenticeship union
- Additional training and instruction for teacher candidates
- 50 hours of safety training
- 6,000 hours of related technical instruction as well as on-the-job training
- A sponsor, the University of Minnesota
- Approval by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DL)
Attend a Find Your Fit info session!
Want to learn more about our different program offerings? Join an upcoming Find Your Fit info session! Click here to register.
October 16 and 17, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (30 minute sessions)
November 12, 4:30 p.m.
November 19, 4:30 p.m.
Contact us
Complete our form to connect with NXT GEN Teach Apprenticeship Recruiter Eddie Rodriguez.