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Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education:
Part 2. License Information

Candidates are encouraged to learn about the licensure process by interacting with the following certification media: https://cdn-media.waldenu.edu/2dett4d/Walden/MSED/2023_LIC/LIC/index.html.

Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board

There are two reasons to seek a license in Minnesota: (1) if the candidate resides in Minnesota, or (2) if the candidate first needs a Minnesota license to transfer (license in hand) to their home state. Candidates who are not seeking a license in Minnesota must consult the Department of Education website in their home state for required licensure exams.

Application for Licensure

Minnesota utilizes a Tiered Licensure structure. Graduates of Walden’s MAT EE program will be eligible to apply for a Minnesota Tier 3 license. For more information on the Tiered Licensure structure, visit the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board website.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to apply for licensure. Candidates should not wait to apply for licensure. If Minnesota (or candidate’s state of residence) changes licensure or program requirements, then additional work may be required to obtain licensure. The best way to avoid this problem is to apply for licensure upon degree conferral.

In Minnesota

After graduating from the program, candidates who would like to obtain initial licensure in Minnesota should follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Minnesota PELSB website’s Aspiring Educators page and review the information about the latest licensure requirements and processes.
  2. In the menu, select Apply for a License.
  3. To access the secure application system, click on Create a Google Account if the candidate doesn’t already have one. Follow the instructions to establish an online user profile and submit materials electronically.
  4. Click on Online Licensing System, and log in with the candidate’s own account.
  5. Download the Verification of Completion of a State-Approved Licensure Program Form and email it to Walden’s certification officer at educlicensure@mail.waldenu.edu.
  6. After receiving the signed verification form, submit it with any accompanying material (particularly fingerprint cards and university transcripts) to the Minnesota PELSB at the address provided.

Note: If a candidate requests to be recommended for a Tier 3 license, and the request is denied, the candidate should refer to the “Student Appeals and Grievances” section of the Walden University Student Handbook. (From the student handbook home page, select Section 3. Student Expectations and Responsibilities tab on the navigation menu; then select Process for Petitions, Appeals, Grievances, and Complaints).

For a complete list of instructions regarding applying for your Minnesota license, visit the Minnesota PELSB website.

In Other States

If a candidate is not seeking initial licensure in the state of Minnesota, they should go to their respective state Department of Education website and follow the directions for candidates who complete an out-of-state teacher preparation program and are seeking licensure. Candidates should pay special attention to which tests need to be passed to obtain a license. 
Walden University requests graduates email educlicensure@mail.waldenu.edu to let the university know when they pass their state licensure tests and obtain licensure in their state.