Grow Your Own
The Work and Learn program is for current or prospective Special Education employees in Minnesota school districts. The program provides a pathway for participants to earn their teaching license and master's degree in special education while working in their district. Since the beginning of the program, 180+ students have graduated with their Academic and Behavior Strategist (ABS) license.
Work and Learn provides a non-conventional pathway to licensure that significantly reduces students' costs by allowing them to maintain their employment through student teaching. Participants in Work and Learn are working in Minnesota school districts employed as Tier I and II Special Education Teachers or Paraprofessionals.
The program offers participants additional cost-savings on the coursework needed for an ABS license and master's degree by reducing the necessary credits (34 credits instead of the traditional 48 credits). An additional special education licensure can easily be added.
Start dates are throughout the year. These annual offerings provide districts with an opportunity to market and recruit candidates into tiered license positions in critical areas of shortages.
Work and Learn is a PELSB (Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board) accredited teacher preparation program.
Serving All Minnesota School Districts
This fully online program provides a pathway for participants to earn a teaching license and master’s degree in special education while being fully employed by any Minnesota school district. New cohorts will start Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Priority Serving ISD 728 first then open to all MN districts
The Work and Learn Northwest program is for current or prospective employees of ISD 728 first and then open to all Minnesota districts. The fully online program provides a pathway for participants to earn their teaching license in special education and master's degree while working for the district.
Serving ISD 196, Intermediate 916, 917, 288 and member districts
This fully online program provides a pathway for participants to earn a teaching license and master’s degree in special education while being fully employed for a school district. Learn more about Work and Learn East and Work and Learn Southwest, which are joining for a combined online cohort.
Serving Anoka-Hennepin District
This program provides a pathway for participants to earn a teaching license and master’s degree in special education while being fully employed for a school district. The cohort is open to Anoka-Hennepin district employees only.
Work and Learn Online
Why Work and Learn
