Education in Minnesota is accomplished through a variety of public, religious, and private sources, at all levels of education.
This is a guide to statewide educational institutions, programs, services, and informational sources.
Public K-12 education in Minnesota is provided through school districts which are overseen by the Minnesota Department of Education. Most of the school districts in the state are designated as Independent School Districts, which operate under the authority of the Minnesota State Legislature.
The first charter school in the country was the City Academy High School of Saint Paul, which was created in 1992.
Although Minnesota has not approved a school voucher system, it did enact an education credit system in 1997 which offers families refundable tax credits for non-tuition educational expenses, such as tutoring, after-school educational programs, and books. Students in Minnesota have school choice options by law, which include open enrollment, charter schools, and approved public online schools.
Additionally, there are several private and religious school options to public school education in Minnesota, although such may not be available everywhere in the state.
At the higher educational levels, there are approximately two hundred post-secondary institutions in Minnesota, the largest being the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota system also has campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which is separate from the University of Minnesota, has thirty-seven public universities and colleges on fifty-four campuses throughout the state.
The largest private university or college in Minnesota is the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, while Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies in Center City is the smallest post-secondary institution in the state, and Century College in White Bear Lake is the largest community and technical college in Minnesota.
Chartered in 1851, the University of Minnesota is the oldest public college or university in the state, while Hamline University in Saint Paul is the oldest private college or university, having been founded in 1854.
Additionally, there are several private colleges and universities operating within the state.
For the purpose of categorization, topics related to education or learning in Minnesota, in general, may be listed in this category, along with college or universities that have campuses in two or more cities within the state, whether public, private, or religious. Agencies and organizations whose chief purpose relates to education in Minnesota may also be listed here.
Public school districts and local school websites should be listed in the Cities & Towns category that represents the city where they are headquartered or located, and colleges and university websites should be listed in the category where they are located, although those with multiple locations may also be listed in this category.
Recommended Resources
Affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Education Minnesota is a trade union that represents PK-12 teachers, school support staff, and higher education faculty in the state. The benefits of membership are outlined, and its advocacy programs, community engagement, and a calendar of events are featured.
https://www.educationminnesota.org/
An interagency initiative of the State of Minnesota, Help Me Grow partners with agencies and organizations throughout the state to provide resources for parents and professionals, including information about developmental milestones, caregiver strategies, and tips on how to discuss developmental concerns. Topics include getting help for children in need, such as why a child might need to be referred, when to refer, how to refer, and what to do after a referral and other resources.
http://www.helpmegrowmn.org/
Minnesota Adult Basic Education
Minnesota ABE is a statewide program that was set up to serve adults who are working toward a high school credential, learning English, improving basic skills such as literacy and math, or preparing for post-secondary education or employment. Funded by state and federal funds, it provides services through a network of forty-two consortia that include all of the school districts in the state, as well as the correctional system, and various community-based organizations.
http://www.mnabe.org/
Minnesota Association of School Administrators
MASA is a private, non-profit membership organization of school superintendents, directors of special education, curriculum and technology leaders, central office administrators, and higher education administrators and professors, and retirees. Its mission statement, bylaws, strategic plan, and a calendar of events are put forth, along with the MASA Foundation, its investment and recognition programs, professional learning conferences, workshops, online learning, and networking opportunities.
https://www.mnasa.org/
Minnesota Center for Social Studies Education
The Minnesota CSSE is a collaboration of eight organizations that have come together to advocate for excellence in social studies education. Created in 2009, it includes the Minnesota Department of Education, Historical Society, Council for Social Studies, Council on Economic Education, Alliance for Geographic Education, Council for History Education, Humanities Center, and the Learning Law and Democracy Foundation. An overview of the Minnesota standards is presented.
http://www.mncsse.org/
Minnesota Department of Education
The MDE is a state agency headquartered in Roseville. Its advisory boards, councils, and task forces are acknowledged, and contacts for the Commissioner’s office is included, along with information about data practices, legislation and reports, policy data, and career opportunities. High school graduation requirements, career technical education, and earning college credit in high school are covered, along with early learning programs, family and community resources, and school choice.
https://education.mn.gov/
Minnesota Homeschoolers Alliance
Made up of volunteers, the organization’s membership is a diverse group of families from different backgrounds and approaches to homeschooling, but with a desire to encourage and support families who choose to educate their children at home. Membership information and contacts are presented, along with tips on getting started homeschooling, including state laws governing homeschooling families, ways in which to connect with other homeschoolers, and a calendar of events.
http://homeschoolers.org/
Minnesota Professional Licensing and Standards Board
The Minnesota PELSB was created by the State Legislature to oversee and implement the licensing of teachers in the state, consolidating the responsibilities formerly carried out by the Minnesota Department of Education Licensing Division and the Board of Teaching. Aspiring educators may apply for a license to teach, find a preparation program, or view licensure requirements, while current educators may renew their licenses or apply for additional licenses online.
https://mn.gov/pelsb/
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
The Minnesota State System is headquartered in Saint Paul, but made up of thirty state colleges and seven state universities, with fifty-four campuses throughout Minnesota. The admission process is defined, including tuition, fees, and financial aid options, transfer information, online learning options, and special programs. Its campuses and programs are shown on an interactive map. Alternatively, prospective students can search for a specific field of study.
http://www.minnstate.edu/
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
M State is a public community and technical college with campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead, and Wadena, as well as an online program. Offering over seventy career and liberal arts programs on campus, and twenty-five online programs, its courses, programs, and degrees are highlighted, along with its admissions policies, placement testing schedules, enrollments, and registrations, as well as its campus locations, student support services.
https://www.minnesota.edu/
Rasmussen College is a private, for-profit college offering associate’s and bachelor’s degrees online, and at campuses in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, including eight campuses in Minnesota: Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove, Eagan, Lake Elmo/Woodbury, Mankato, Moorhead, and Saint Cloud. Its locations, areas of study, degrees, and online programs are defined, along with its admissions policies, tuition, and financial aid options.
https://www.rasmussen.edu/
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
UMN is a public research university system with two campuses, about three miles apart, referred to as the Minneapolis campus and the Saint Paul campus, although the latter is actually in Falcon Heights. It is the oldest campus in the University of Minnesota System, and the sixth-largest in the country. Its academic programs and degrees, research programs, health and medicine programs, and athletics are highlighted, and its admissions policies, financial aid, and student resources are included.
https://twin-cities.umn.edu/
