St. Paul Public Schools Undergraduate Pathway to Teaching

St. Paul Public Schools is developing an undergraduate pathway to teaching for non-licensed SPPS staff interested in earing their Bachelor's Degree and Tier 3 Special Education Teaching License.

In partnership with University of St. Thomas, this program aims to recruit, prepare and retain highly quality teachers who reflect the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and community.

This pathway will remove barriers to becoming a licensed educator by providing a living stipend and benefits throughout a two-year program inclusive of  job-embedded learning and support to complete University coursework.

This pathway is UNDERGRADUATE. If you already hold a Bachelors Degree, please proceed to our St. Paul Urban Teacher Residency Graduate Program website. 

Tentative undergraduate pathway to teaching pilot program launch date: June 2026

Step One: Be sure the Educator Development Team knows you are interested in becoming a licensed Special Educator by completing this interest survey. Submitting the survey will ensure you receive update communications and invitations to information session.

Step Two: Wherever you are in your undergraduate journey, the Educator Development Team is here to support you. Once you have submitted the survey above, email Kellie Krick Oborn (kellie.krick@spps.org) and Danielle Ferguson (danielle.ferguson@spps.org) to express interest. If you have completed any credits toward your undergraduate degree, include unofficial transcripts for initial review.

Step Three: If you have already earned an Associates Degree inclusive of the MN Transfer Curriculum, you will be notified that you are eligible to apply for the undergraduate pathway to teaching when the application window opens. If you have not yet earned 60+ credits inclusive of the MN Transfer Curriculum, the Educator Development Team will support you to connect with local community college partners so you can complete coursework necessary coursework in preparation for this pathway. See resources below for more information about partnerships with community colleges who can help you prepare for this pathway.

If you do not yet hold an Associates Degree inclusive of the MN Transfer Curriculum, you have 1 year to complete your AA in order to be eligible to apply for this undergraduate pathway to teaching. The Educator Development Team can help you!

Reach out to Kellie Krick Oborn (kellie.krick@spps.org) and Danielle Ferguson (danielle.ferguson@spps.org) for support

Eligibility Requirements: 

1. Completed Associates Degree or 60+ undergraduate credits inclusive of the 10 MN Transfer Curriculum Goals Areas 
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in all courses taken (Individual situations will be taken into consideration)
3. Seek an initial teaching license and bachelor's degree in Special Education

Projected Application Window: February, 2026

Projected Pilot Start Date: June 2026

Licenses Offered: Special Education Academic & Behavior Strategist (ABS) K-12

The development of this pathway is supported by SPPS and MDE Apprenticeship Planning Grant Funds. This pathway is in development and not yet approved.

Resources:

• We can help you can help you connect with Community Colleges to obtain an Associates Degree and complete the MN Transfer Curriculum which will be prerequisite to apply for the SPPS undergraduate pathway to teaching.
  • We are partnering with Hennepin Technical College. They offer AAs in Child Development, Human and Social Services, and Individual Studies pathways that are great foundations for aspiring Special Education Teachers. They offer rolling admissions. We can help you get connected and started with HTC!
  • We are partnering with Inver Hills Community College. They offer an Associates of Arts Pathway and a Special Education Foundations Pathway that are great foundations for aspiring Special Education Teachers. They offer rolling admissions. We can help you get connected and started with IHCC!
• Resources to help you explore the field of education: Elevate Teaching and Get the Facts Out