Frequently Asked Questions

Which licenses are available for a fully on-line bachelor’s degree program in education (starting fall 2022)? 

• Special Education

• Elementary

• ESL

What if I already have a bachelor's degree?

That's great news! You can get your teaching license through the Master's of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and use your current school setting for many of your clinical experience hours. Check out the MAT program today! 

What are the requirements for admission to the HSEL PP program? 

• Must be working in an educational setting where you one can do most of your clinical experience hours

• Students must be employed as paraprofessional

• Fall start only for the fully online pathway

• Students must have completed a minimum of a year's worth of college credit (approximately 32 credits) to be considered for the program. Completion of an Associates Degree is preferred.

What are the features and benefits of the HSEL PP program?

• Fully on-line

• Leverages your current school position to serve as most of your field experience hours

• Flexible time to completion

• Built around working adult schedules

• Only pay for what you use -- no student fees for campus resources you won’t use as an online student

• Small class sizes with caring instructors who know how to support working adults in finishing their degree

• Automatically allows you to finish your master’s degree (if you want) after you complete your license with just two additional classes through the MAT pathway

• Individualized advising based on your specific needs

• Working in tandem with your district to provide maximized communication and support

• Multiple opportunities for integrated and applied learning–lots of hands-on learning

• A partner with many “grow-your-own” initiatives across the state

How much does it cost and how long will it take?

• Depends on the number and type of transfer credits you bring–contact an admissions representative to find out more

• $610 per credit

• With a fall start, a completed AA degree, and taking 16 credits each term it can be possible to complete a bachelors degree and licensure in two years. But, most working adults prefer to take fewer credits at a time and take longer to complete the program

Is it possible to start in a different term, other than fall?

• Yes, but not fully online. We can only guarantee a fully online experience if you start in the fall

• If you would like to take some in-person courses, you are welcome to start in other terms

What is the deadline for applying?

There are a limited number of spaces available for this program each year and applications are processed on a rolling basis. Apply by June 1st to be given priority consideration. Applications for the program are due by August 1st to be considered for Fall 2024.

Can I do the program part-time?

Yes, but  federal or state grants will be prorated accordingly. You must be at least half-time (6 credits per term) to qualify for federal loans. If you are not using financial aid from federal or state funds, then you may register for the number of courses you feel most comfortable taking each term. 

What kind of previous credits transfer?

An advisor will do an analysis of your transcript so that you know exactly how many credits will apply to your undergraduate degree. They will work with you to map out a timeline and course sequence to make sure you can move as quickly as possible through the program to achieve licensure and your bachelor’s degree. Please complete the transcript evaluation request if you would like to understand how your credits would transfer prior to applying for admission.

Can I also get my master’s? How many more classes would it take? 

Yes! Consider the MAT pathway! Once you complete your undergraduate degree and licensure, you have the option to take two to four additional courses to complete a master’s in teaching depending on your licensure area. You have up to seven years after graduation to come back to complete your master’s degree, but it’s completely optional. 

For an ESL licensure, do I need to be fluent in a language other than English?

No. Becoming an ESL teacher does not require that the teacher be fluent in a language other than English. However, it is required that all teacher licensure candidates in any area in the state of Minnesota be fluent in English. ESL candidates must have one year (two semesters) of college foreign language courses or two years at the high school level. Non-native English speakers are exempt as it is assumed they learned English as a second language.

If I am receiving employer reimbursement for tuition, what should I do?

If you are receiving employer reimbursement for tuition, you will need to work directly with the student accounts office and the financial aid office to understand how that will impact your student loans and payment process

Is Hamline a TEACH grant eligible university?

Yes! The federal TEACH grant is a great way to fund your education if you plan to teach in a shortage area such as special education or ESL. 

What are the specific education courses that are required?

A major in education allows you to choose from following licensure areas:

• Elementary Education (49 credits total)

• English as a Second Language (ESL) (51 credits total)

• Special Education (choose from the Academic Behavior Specialist (ABS) licensure for this pathway, 55 credits, or the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), 57 credits)

All Education majors must complete the shared courses for all concentrations plus the concentration requirements. The shared courses for the education major are: 

Shared Courses for all Concentrations (21 credits):

EDU 1150 Schools & Society, 4cr

EDU 1250 Educational Psychology, 4cr

EDU 3500 Education and Cultural Diversity, 4cr

EDU 3260 Theory to Practice, 4cr

GED 7801 Intro to Advanced Teacher Thinking, 0cr

GED 7802 Introduction to Student Teaching 0 cr

GED 7872 Exceptionality, 2cr

GED 7888 English Learners in the Mainstream, 2cr

EDU 5XXX Standards of Effective Practice Project, 1 cr (which provides the HP letter Q)

All education majors must choose one of the following concentrations: Elementary (28 credits), English as a Second Language (30 credits), Special Education (20 credits + 14-16 credits for specialization area). 

ELEMENTARY K-6 CONCENTRATION (28 credits)

GED 7835 Teaching Art in the Elementary School/K-6, 1cr

GED 7836 Teaching Music in the Elementary School/K-6, 1cr

GED 7837 Teaching Health in the Elementary School/K-6, 1cr

GED 7838 Teaching Physical Education in the Elementary School/K-6, 1cr

GED 7840 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School/K-6, 4cr

GED 7846 Teaching Literacy in the Elementary School/K-6, 4cr

GED 7846L LAB: Teaching Literacy in the Elementary School, 2cr

GED 7847 Critical and Connected Learning Approaches to Literacy Instruction, 2cr

GED 7851 Teaching Science in the Elementary School/K-6, 4cr

GED 7852 Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School/K-6, 6cr

GED 7852L LAB: Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School, 2cr

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE COURSES (30 credits)

ESL 8100 Linguistics for Language Teachers, 4cr

ESL 8110 Language and Society, 4 cr

ESL 8120 Pedagogical Grammar and Discourse, 4cr

ESL 8130 Exploring Learner Language and SLA, 4cr

ESL 7770 Critical Praxis in TESOL, 4 cr

ESL 7753 Testing and Evaluation of English Language Learners, 2cr

ESL 7775 ESL Methods I, 4cr

ESL 7776 ESL Methods II, 4 cr

SPECIAL EDUCATION (20 credits)

SPED 7930 Special Education Evaluation and Assessment, 4 cr

SPED 7940 Special Education Legal Requirements and Ethical Considerations, 4 cr

SPED 7950 Special Education Community Collaboration, 4 cr

GED 7846 Teaching Literacy in the Elementary School, Part 1, 4 cr

GED 7847 Teaching Literacy in the Elementary School, Part 2, 2 cr

GED 7846L Lab: Teaching Literacy in the Elementary School, 2 cr

• SPED Path 1: Academic Behavioral Strategist (14 credits)

SPED 7201 Collaboration and Multi-categorical Strategies, 2 cr

SPED 7202 Social Communication and Positive Behavior Supports, 4 cr

SPED 7203 Functional Academic and Life Skills, 2 cr

SPED 7204 Academic and Instructional Strategies for Learners with Mild to Moderate Disabilities, 2 cr

SPED 7205 Behavior Intervention and Mental Health, 4 cr

OR

• SPED Path 2: Autism Spectrum Disorder (16 credits)

SPED 7100 ASD: Introduction and Overview, 2 cr

SPED 7101 Proactive Behavior Management, 2 cr

SPED 7104 Intervention & Strategies for Students with ASD, 4 cr

SPED 7102 Assessment: Identification and Planning for Students with ASD, 2 cr

SPED 7103 Communication, Assessment, and Intervention for Learners with ASD, 2 cr

SPED 7105 Coll Transition Programming to Support Individuals with ASD Across Ages, 2 cr

SPED 7106 Social Cognition, 2 cr

Snapshot of Credits by License:

Elementary Ed: 49 credits

English as a Second Language: 51 credits

Special Education ABS: 55 credits

Special Education ASD: 57 credits   

Additional courses not included in the major requirements, but required for licensure: 

GED 78XX Student Teaching, variable cr

GED 7050 Student Teaching Seminar, 2 cr

*Student teaching credit level varies based on undergraduate or graduate status

     Want more information? 

An admission counselor will respond: (click here to request information) |  Email  parapathway@hamline.edu  |  Call 651-523-2900