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Teacher License Endorsement FAQs
What if I already hold a current, valid Minnesota teaching license—can Walden University help me earn an endorsement in special education?
Yes. Walden has two Minnesota Board of Teaching state-approved endorsement programs: Special Education: Learning Disabilities (K-12) and Special Education: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. Both endorsement programs have a Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Special Education option as well. For more information, contact a Walden enrollment advisor at 1-800-925-3368.
I have a current, valid Minnesota teaching license. If I enroll in a Walden endorsement program in special education, will I have to retake the Praxis tests?
You will not need to retake the Praxis I. However, you will have to take the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment.
I have a current, valid Minnesota teaching license. After I complete a Walden endorsement program in special education, what else do I need to do to obtain the Minnesota endorsement in special education?
You must also pass both Praxis II tests pertinent to your teaching content area (learning disabilities or emotional/behavioral disorders), and submit a completed endorsement application form along with the fee and the completed institutional recommendation form from Walden. The application form and directions are available on the Minnesota Board of Teaching Website.
I have a current, valid teaching license from a state other than Minnesota. Can Walden University help me earn my state’s endorsement in special education?
Yes, in certain states. Because the process for obtaining an endorsement is very different depending upon the state, it is important to understand what your particular state requires. Note that some states do not offer endorsements. If you are interested in a Walden endorsement program, be sure to tell your state’s teacher licensing body that Walden has two Minnesota Board of Teaching state-approved endorsement programs: Special Education: Learning Disabilities (K-12) and Special Education: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12). Also tell your state’s teacher licensing body that Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. For general information about your state’s endorsement process, you can also contact a Walden enrollment advisor at 1-800-925-3368.
I have a current, valid teaching license from a state other than Minnesota, and my state only requires that I take certain courses in order to earn a special education endorsement. Can Walden’s special education endorsement program help me?
Yes, if your state’s required courses align well with the courses required by Walden’s special education endorsement program. To obtain a list of Walden’s endorsement program in special education courses, please contact a Walden enrollment advisor at 1-800-925-3368. Please note that Walden’s offers endorsement programs in special education: Special Education: Learning Disabilities (K-12) and Special Education: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12). Your state may require coursework that covers more categories of special education. Also, Walden’s endorsement programs in special education include a six-week, full-time, clinical practicum, and the requirement to take the appropriate Praxis II test (or the appropriate special education test in your state, or possibly both).
I have a current, valid teaching license from a state other than Minnesota, and my state only requires that I pass a test in order to earn a special education endorsement. Can Walden’s endorsement programs in special education help me?
Yes, if the content of your state’s required test aligns well with Walden’s endorsement program in special education course content. To obtain a list of Walden’s endorsement program in special education courses, please contact a Walden enrollment advisor at 1-800-925-3368. Please note that Walden’s offers endorsement programs special education: Special Education: Learning Disabilities (K-12) and Special Education: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K-12). Your state’s test may cover more categories of special education. Also, Walden’s special education endorsement programs include a six-week, full-time, clinical practicum.
I have a current teaching certificate from Georgia. Will a Walden endorsement program in special education help me add a field in special education behavior disorders or special education learning disabilities?
Yes. Although Georgia has processes for teachers to “add an endorsement” and to “add a field,” Walden's endorsement programs in special education will help you meet the requirements for adding a field (either special education behavior disorders or special education leaning disabilities) to your certificate.
Will I be working in classrooms during the Endorsement Programs in Special Education?
Yes. Throughout Walden’s Special Education endorsement programs, you will spend approximately five hours per course in classrooms completing fieldwork (one hour a week during each course). During this time you’ll complete activities and assignments ranging from observing, to interviewing, to interacting with children, including creating and teaching lessons. Then, at the end of the program, you’ll spend six weeks, full-time, in a teaching capacity. During this experience, you’ll take over all responsibilities for the special education classroom and implement what you’ve learned during the program.
Will I earn a degree with the Endorsement Programs in Special Education?
The endorsement programs in special education do not lead to a degree unless you enroll in the Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Special Education option as well. In this regard, Walden’s program is like endorsement programs at other institutions.
Can Walden’s other graduate courses and programs be used for the renewal of an already-existing teacher license or certificate?
It depends on the state and sometimes on the school district. In most states, graduate coursework that could lead to a master’s degree or the master’s degree itself suffices for “lane changes” on the salary scale and for licensure renewal or upgrading. Typically the coursework or degree must be earned at a regionally accredited institution of higher education, which Walden is. Check with your state and your district to ensure you know their specific requirements.
Does the Walden Educational Leadership specialization lead to certification as a principal?
Walden University does not offer a state-approved program in educational leadership that is recognized for K-12 school administrator licensure/certification in Minnesota (Walden’s home state) or any other state, except in Texas through a partnership with the Harris County Department of Education known as the Future Texas Administrators Program. With the exception of this Texas collaborative, Walden University makes no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of the Walden M.S. in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership program, or coursework for graduate credit within this program, will permit a graduate to obtain state certification or licensure as a principal, assistant principal, or any other type of K-12 administrator.
Does the Walden master’s specializations in reading lead to an endorsement, or add-on certificate, for already-certified teachers?
No. These specializations do not lead to endorsements or add-on certificates for teachers.
I keep seeing “regionally accredited” listed in multiple places. Is there a problem with me gaining licensure to teach if my bachelor's degree did not come from a regionally accredited institution of higher education?
No, there is no problem, although most states do require that, for educator licensure, you also hold a degree from an institution of higher education that has been accredited by one of the U.S. regional accrediting associations. If your bachelor’s degree was earned at an institution that was not regionally accredited, you should complete the master’s degree associated with the post-baccalaureate program in which you are enrolled (M.A.T. for initial licensure; M.S. in Education for endorsements). Because Walden University is regionally accredited, a master’s degree from Walden will place you into compliance with the state licensure requirement to hold a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. In other words, your master’s degree will substitute for your bachelor’s degree in this regard.
Other:
Can I transfer credits to Walden?
You may request an unofficial analysis of your transcripts prior to your admission to the program. Our enrollment advisors can assist you with the credit-transfer process. Please contact them at 1-800-925-3368.
