Parent and family education licensure
Parent education in Minnesota
More info
Resources
Professional organizations
A parent educator plans, coordinates, and teaches in an instructional
program that addresses the intellectual, emotional, cultural, social, and
physical needs of both parents and children. Parent education seeks to support
respectful, reciprocal interactions between parents and their children.
Interest in parent education is growing across the United States.
Minnesota is recognized as a leader in this field with its statewide,
legislatively supported Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs
offering parent education for families with young children through local
school districts. In Minnesota, a parent educator license is required
for employment in an ECFE program. The purpose of the license is to
insure, through scholarly preparation, that parent educators are
well-prepared professionals who are qualified to deliver educational
programs for parents.
This program also prepares parent educators for parent education
positions that do not require a Minnesota parent and family education
license. For example, parent educators may find positions in health care
and social service agencies and institutions and religious settings in
Minnesota and in other states and countries. A
parent education
certificate program is also available for those who do not require a
Minnesota teaching license.
New! Online parent education licensure courses
(descriptions and registration information)
Applying to the parent and family education licensure
program
Requirements
- A grade point average of 2.8 or higher is
required for admission.
- All coursework must be on a college or university
transcript.
- All grades must be “C” or better, or completed with a
“Pass”.
- Courses may be either undergraduate or graduate level
credit.
- Half of the core credits used toward licensure must have
been taken within ten years of when the license is
completed.
Application
- Complete the Application
for Parent Education Licensure Program form.
- Mail application form, relevant college transcripts, a
copy of existing Minnesota teaching licenses (if any), and a
check for $50 made out to the “University of Minnesota” and
mailed to:
Family, Youth, and Community – Transcript Review
University of Minnesota
235 Peik Hall
159 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-4301
This fee covers two reviews: an initial review at the
beginning and a final review when all courses have been
completed. (sample
transcript review form [.pdf]) Additional coursework descriptions may be
requested if the courses are other than those from the
University of Minnesota.
- For information about combining a degree with this
license chat online with Chris Buzzetta.
Working toward licensure
Obtaining your Minnesota teacher license
Request for final transcript review and preparation of
materials for licensure
- Once you have completed the coursework needed for your
parent and family education license, your grades are posted,
and you have received your PPST scores, then you are ready
to apply for your license. The process for application to
the Minnesota Department of Education is outlined below, and
the process begins through our office. You
will need to gather the following:
- Official transcripts in sealed envelopes
- Check made out to COMMISSIONER OF
MDE
for required amount (see application form)
- Original copy of Praxis I
(Pre-professional Skills Test [PPST]) score, if it has
not already been placed on your transcript*
- Evidence of completion of human
relations course and drug/alcohol course, if they are
not on your transcript*
- Completed
fingerprint card*
- Money order or cashier’s check in the
amount of $31 made payable to the Bureau of Criminal
Apprehension and valid for six months or more*
- Completed
Application for
Minnesota Education License
(Teaching/Administrative/Related Services) [.doc], with
signed conduct review statement.
* If an applicant holds a current
Minnesota Continuing Standard license, they will not
need to provide proof of human relations course
and drug/alcohol courses, PPST requirements, or a
fingerprint card and background check. However, they
will need to include a copy of their current Minnesota
Continuing Standard License.
- Return information to:
Family, Youth, and Community – Transcript Review
University of Minnesota
235 Peik Hall
159 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-4301
Your application will be forwarded through the College of
Education and Human Development to the Minnesota Department
of Education to be processed.
- Please allow at least 6-8 weeks for the processing of
your parent and family education license. Minnesota teacher
licensure is public information; you may go to the Minnesota
Department of Education
Web site to see the status of your license folder:
View an Individual Educator's License
If you have any questions, call Chris Buzzetta at
612-624-1294 or e-mail at
buzze001@umn.edu for assistance.
San Ha
 Through
my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota in
psychology and philosophy, parenting two children, and volunteer
teaching at Jane Addams School for Democracy in St. Paul for
immigrant families, I have found that my most rewarding
experiences have been those in which I have had the opportunity
to support children, parents, and families. I realized the need
for better education not only for children but also for parents
to enhance the quality of their family lives. I feel very
fortunate to have discovered the parent education licensure and
family education programs at the University of Minnesota. While
pursuing my parent education license, I am also working on my
M.Ed. in family education. The program is superb and perfectly
matches my needs, interests, and expectations.
As a pre-service parent educator, I have had valuable
opportunities for professional practice, such as CI 5934—Practice of Parent Education I and CI 5937—Parent-Child
Interactions. Those courses helped me to develop knowledge and
skills to create sample lessons, curriculum and a cohesive
program on certain concepts for a specific parent group I would
work with. These courses also inspired me to broaden my
perspectives and reflect on assumptions that I might have taken
for granted.
Dr. Betty Cooke is not
only an excellent scholar and distinguished expert in parent and
family education but also very supportive and responsive to
students. She respects different opinions and cares about each
student’s progress. Moreover, she always tries to understand
students regardless of their diverse backgrounds. I have had the
opportunity to discuss some concepts and teaching methods, which
were not clearly stated in my curriculum plan, with her after
class. Instead of merely giving me a grade for the assignment,
she wanted to understand how I planned the curriculum and why I
had used these concepts and methods for my plan. I am very happy
to have a wonderful mentor like her as my faculty advisor and
strongly satisfied by learning parent education from her at the
University of Minnesota.
Updated February 2007
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