Grow Your Own
Work and Learn
Work and Learn Online
- Statewide (open to all districts in MN)
- Fully online
- Summer 2025 start
Pathway to Teaching
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, 200+ 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 required to be employed full time as Tier I and II Special Education Teachers or Paraprofessionals in any Minnesota school district.
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 typically fall, spring, or summer semesters. 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.
Upcoming Work and Learn Offering
Serving All Minnesota School Districts
Work and Learn Online
This fully online program provides a pathway for participants to earn a teaching license and master’s degree in special education. Participants must have full-time employment in special education as a Paraprofessional or Tier 1 or 2 Special Education Teacher in any Minnesota school district throughout the entirety of the program. New cohort will start Summer 2025 (apply via button below).
- Application for Summer 2025 cohort must be started by April 25, 2025.
- Application instructions are available here.
Apply for Work and Learn Online (Summer 2025)
Why Work and Learn
Work and Learn Benefits
For Districts
- University of St. Thomas full-time faculty and experienced adjuncts, both with extensive classroom experience, teach courses to ensure your future special education teachers are well-prepared.
- Four Work and Learn Information Sessions are offered each semester that you are welcome to attend to get any questions answered.
- Efficient billing systems from St. Thomas for Grow Your Own and the Pipeline grant.
- Teacher candidates can complete student teaching on the job; no need to hire a substitute teacher for student teaching.
- For teacher candidates in setting IV programs, they can add a license in our ongoing Summer Institutes (EBD, DCD, ECSE, ASD) to meet the needs of your district.
For Prospective Students
- 34 graduate credits required compared to the traditional 48 credits
- Complete your ABS license in 2.5 years
- All courses are completed online
- No more than 2 courses at a time to provide work-life-school balance
- Work full time in Special Education while taking 2 courses at a time
- Savings of travel time, gas costs and parking fees for online classes
- Advising sessions a minimum of 1 time every semester
- Student Teaching Orientation and Seminars
