Each state has different educator licensure requirements.  Contact our Enrollment Specialists at 1-866-492-5336 for more 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

Walden’s teacher licensure programs are approved through Minnesota. If you are applying for Minnesota licensure, there are no licensure exams required. If you are applying for licensure in another state, you may be required to take the licensure exam in that state. 

Walden’s principal licensure programs are approved through Minnesota and Ohio. If you are applying for Minnesota licensure, there are no licensure exams required. If you are applying through Ohio, you will be required to take and pass the Ohio Administrator Exam (OAE 015).

Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on testing requirements.

Generally, most state licensure applications have a form that must be completed by the institution (Walden) verifying that you completed a state-approved educator preparation program. This is often referred to as the Institutional Recommendation (IR) form, or can be called a program verification form, etc. The completed form and official transcripts are typically all you need from Walden.

Walden offers Minnesota state-approved programs leading to initial licensure as an elementary educator (grades K – 6) , a special educator (Grades K – Age 21) (cross-categorical/generalist), and a school principal (Grades K – 12). Walden also offers Ohio state-approved programs leading to principal licensure (Grades PK – 6, 4 – 9, and 5-12). Candidates should check their state website to determine if their state offers licensure in a comparable area. Students are advised to carefully research the consequences of moving to or seeking licensure in another state after starting a program as the new state may have different requirements and considerations.

Contact your Walden Enrollment Specialist or a Student Success Advisor at 1-866-492-5336. They can answer your questions or connect you with a licensing specialist.

Walden’s teacher licensure programs are approved through Minnesota, and Walden’s principal licensure programs are approved through Minnesota and Ohio. Prospective and current Walden candidates who live in a different state must research their own state requirements prior to enrolling in a program to help ensure that the program will meet any specific objectives the individual may have upon completion, such as obtaining a license/certificate, endorsement, upgrade, renewal, or salary increase. Licensure requirements vary state by state and are constantly evolving. Enrollment advisors can provide general guidance, but candidates must research their own state requirements as of any given date and stay apprised of policy changes.

Many states have requirements that are specific to individuals prepared at out-of-state institutions. Individuals from states other than Minnesota (for teacher licensure programs) or Ohio (for the principal preparation program) should look for requirements specific to individuals prepared at out-of-state institutions. Pay particular attention to the following terms:

Regional accreditation—Institutions receive regional accreditation from one of six accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Walden is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Institutional accreditation—Colleges, schools, or departments of education can receive professional accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by CAEP.

State-approved program—For individuals to be eligible for initial licensure, states require that they complete a program that has been approved by a state agency responsible for educator licensing.

Individuals completing a program approved in one state often can apply for licensure in another state. Candidates should refer to our licensure page for additional information.

The following Walden programs are state-approved educator preparation programs:

• BS in Elementary Education program (BSEE)
• Master of Arts in Teaching with specialization in Elementary Education (MAT-EE)
• Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Special Education (MAT-SPED)
• MSED in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) (MSED-ELA)
• EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) (EdS-ELA)

When applying for licensure as an out of state candidate, you may need to: a) apply directly to your state department of education or licensing board based on the completion of a state-approved program or b) obtain the license from the state where the institution is approved (Minnesota or Ohio) before applying to your state’s department of education or licensing board.

Yes. Walden University has received state approval from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to offer teacher preparation programs that lead to Minnesota licensure in Special Education (cross-categorical, K – Age 21) and Elementary Education (Grades K – 6).

Individuals who want to teach in a state other than Minnesota may be eligible for an initial license/certificate by completing one of Walden’s state-approved teacher preparation programs. When reviewing state requirements, prospective teacher candidates should check if:

• The state offers a license/certificate in the same content area with grade and age levels that are comparable with the programs listed above.
• They will need to apply for their Minnesota licensure first and then apply to their state, or if they can apply directly to their state upon completing Walden’s Minnesota state-approved program.
• There are any additional requirements to complete prior to being issued a license/certificate (i.e., additional exams, coursework particular to that state, background checks).
• There are any requirements specific to your state or out-of-state or online institutions.

Yes. Walden University’s BS in Elementary Education (BSEE), Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education (MAT-EE), and Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education (MAT-SPED) are approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to lead to teacher licensure. Walden has also been approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators to offer the Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership and Administration (EdS-ELA) program, and by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to offer both the M.S. in Education in Educational Leadership and Administration (MSED-ELA) and Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership and Administration (EdS-ELA) programs to lead to  principal licensure.

Individuals who want to be licensed/certified in a state other than Minnesota (for the BSEE, MAT-EE, MAT-SPED or EDS-ELA program) or Ohio (for the Educational Leadership and Administration programs) should research their state’s requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to teacher or principal candidates who are completing a state-approved program from an out-of-state institution.

Not automatically. Walden University offers the program and confers the degree upon program completion; however, educator licensure is obtained from a state agency. For those who need to obtain the Minnesota license, an application must be made with the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board after the degree is conferred by Walden University. 

If the goal is to obtain an educator license in another state, please research the requirements of that state by searching online for “out of state teacher licensure in ___” with the state inserted.

Yes. Throughout Walden’s teacher preparation program, you will complete field experiences in conjunction with the professional courses. During this time, you will complete activities and assignments, including observing, interviewing, and interacting with children, and creating and teaching lessons. Then, at the end of the program, you’ll spend a minimum of 12 continuous weeks of full-time demonstration teaching (also known as student teaching). During the experience, you will take over all responsibilities for the classroom and implement what you have learned during the program.

It depends upon your home state. All states have policies regarding out-of-state procedures that must be followed when someone is eligible for or has received licensure through an out-of-state institution with a state-approved program, such as the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved programs at Walden University. Some states require that you obtain the MN license first while other states allow licensure applications without obtaining the MN license first. Students are advised to carefully research the consequences of moving to or seeking licensure in another state after starting a program as the new state may have different requirements and considerations.

If you have questions, please contact a Walden University Enrollment Specialist at 1-866-492-5336. Enrollment advisors can provide information on licensing requirements, but it is your responsibility to understand and comply with the most up-to-date out-of-state licensing information for your state.

It depends on the state and sometimes on the school district. It is important to research state requirements before enrolling in a program or course. Prospective students are encouraged to interact with the following website for information about renewal or upgrade of their existing license/certificate:

https://academics.waldenu.edu/teacher-licensure/state-requirements

Only those programs listed as licensure-leading in the Walden catalog can lead to licensure/certification. Prospective students can refer to our licensure section for additional information.

Many Walden education programs and courses can be used for renewal or upgrade of existing licensure/certification. Prospective students are encouraged to interact with the following website for information about renewal or upgrade of their existing license/certificate:
https://academics.waldenu.edu/teacher-licensure/state-requirements