College of Education and Human Development

Department of Educational Psychology

NXT GEN Teach apprenticeship and residency

Earn your special education teaching license and degree while you work

Through NXT GEN Teach, you will have a paid, flexible pathway to get your degree and Tier 3 teaching license in special education, while receiving hands-on, job-embedded training with a school district.

2 years

to earn your degree and teaching license (with an AA degree)

Get paid

to work in a school as a paraprofessional alongside a licensed teacher

Fully online

flexible, synchronous evening and asynchronous coursework to fit your schedule

Start now

Apply for a fall start time

NXT GEN Teach and the University of Minnesota: Supporting you as you grow

NXT GEN Teach uses a cohort model, meaning that as a student, and later an alum, you will become part of a community of knowledgeable and passionate special educators throughout the state of Minnesota.

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. We are proud to be ranked #10 in the nation for special education programs, and to partner with school districts to teach dedicated and skilled teachers at the U’s Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Twin Cities campuses.

Aspiring teacher benefits

  • Get paid and trained: Earn a salary and benefits during the two-year program
  • Job-embedded assignments: Gain two years of hands-on experience with a mentor teacher
  • Flexible coursework and support: Complete a degree with online evening classes while receiving support throughout the program, including tuition assistance

Residency

  • Two-year journey
  • Year-long student teaching
  • Mentor teacher trained
  • MDE approved

Apprenticeship

Residency plus...

  • MOU with district and union
  • 6,000 hours of both related technical instruction and on-the-job training
  • Sponsored by Minnesota Teachers Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (MNTJATC)
  • DLI approved
  • Substantial funding available for candidates (subject to change due to federal and state funding)

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 (ABS) 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. Dual licensure in ABS and EBD is possible with minimal courseload additions.

    BS with early childhood special education (ECSE) 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

    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 (ABS) MEd and licensure

    Earn your master's of education (MEd) 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.

    Early childhood special education (ECSE) MEd and licensure

    Earn your master's of education (MEd) 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.

    Contact us

    Contact us

    Complete our form to connect with NXT GEN Teach Apprenticeship Recruiter Eddie Rodriguez.

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