NExT Universities

Fourteen higher education institutions in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota make up the Network for Excellence in Teaching (NExT). Working with the Bush Foundation, these institutions are transforming the way they prepare teachers and are guaranteeing the effectiveness of teachers who graduate from their redesigned programs. To accomplish this goal, the institutions will overhaul how they recruit, prepare, place and support new teachers and how they work with their K-12 partners.

Minnesota State University, Mankato
Make your mark, become a Teacher of Tomorrow at Minnesota State University, Mankato! Our highly respected programs will prepare you to be an exemplary 21st century teacher in the elementary, middle and high school or special education classroom. Imagine, working side-by-side with experienced teachers through early field experiences and our team-teaching model. You will leave Minnesota State University, Mankato as a marketable, reflective, life long learner with culturally rich encounters to add to your teaching toolbox. We offer more scholarships than ever before and will help you apply for other scholarships as well. With flexible course schedules, online and night classes and a choice of programs offered at Mankato and the Twin Cities, we've made it more convenient than ever to pursue your dream of becoming a teacher. Visit website.

The Valley Partnership
Three institutions across two states have come together to form the Valley Partnership. Minnesota State University Moorhead, North Dakota State University and Valley City State University are working collaboratively to engage three teacher education programs at universities with unique institutional missions and cultures. The result is an increase in quality and quantity of training options for teacher candidates at all three institutions. Valley Partnership institutions have retained their individual personalities and students are able to choose their university of interest without sacrificing the opportunities available at other partnership institutions. Course standards, field experiences opportunities and evaluation processes have been developed with common goals across the partnership to provide the teacher candidates with increased P-12 classroom experiences, the ability to enhance their degrees with “added value” coursework and an increase in support through cohort relationships.

North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University is considered a leader among its peers, and has consistently set enrollment records and dramatically expanded its research portfolio in recent years. More than 14,000 students attend NDSU. The university is an innovator in information systems, technology transfer, economic development and lifelong learning. NDSU is the state’s first full NCAA Division I athletic program, and in its first year eligible for post season play, three teams succeeded in reaching that milestone. NDSU has 44 doctoral and professional programs, 63 master’s degree programs, one specialist degree and more than 100 undergraduate majors. Visit website.
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead has been an innovator and leader in teacher education since it was chartered in 1887. The School of Teaching and Learning welcomes this opportunity to continue the vitally important work of teacher preparation for the region. MSU Moorhead has approximately 7,500 students and is comprised of four colleges: the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Business and Industry, and the College of Social and Natural Sciences. MSUM is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Visit website.
Valley City State University
Valley City State University (VCSU) prepares people for life through visionary leadership and exemplary practices in teaching, learning and service. VCSU is nationally acclaimed for attracting and retaining talented individuals who advance quality learning opportunities and economic growth through technology and innovation. Visit website.

St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, offers its 17,686 students more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs in five colleges. The university’s roots lie in the preparation of education professionals. One of the largest producers of teachers in the nation, St. Cloud State incorporates an interdisciplinary, cross-college approach to teacher preparation, as well as an award-winning co-teaching model. The College of Education offers two doctoral programs, the Ed.D. in educational administration and leadership and the Ed.D. in higher education administration. St. Cloud State is the largest of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system’s 32 institutions.
Visit website.

The University of South Dakota
The Teacher Education Program at the University of South Dakota is changing the way we recruit, prepare, place, and support students. The program offers innovative course work that includes the most relevant and proven teaching strategies along with multiple P-12 classrooms experiences that culminate in a full-year teaching residency. Your ties with the School of Education continue after you graduate. We place you in schools under the mentorship of leaders in the field of education while continuing to provide you with support during your first years of teaching. As part of a partnership with the Bush Foundation, we are committed to preparing highly effective teachers!
Visit website.

Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative (TC2)
The Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative (TC2), a coalition of six private institutions of higher education in the Twin Cities, came together in 2009 to transform the way Minnesota recruits, prepares, places and supports teachers. The Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative (TC2) members are:

Augsburg College
Located in the midst of an active, vibrant urban neighborhood near downtown Minneapolis, Augsburg College seeks to be part of its surroundings through service to and participation in the local community. For education programs being a part of Augsburg means having many field placements in accessible, highly diverse k-12 schools, both public and charter. Being a part of Augsburg also means learning with and from peers who reflect the diversity of our city. Finally, being a part of Augsburg means having skilled faculty who are committed to developing responsive, knowledgeable teachers who foster high achieving K-12 students within a healthy urban core. Visit website.
Bethel University
Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,300 students from 48 states and 29 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelors and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. Visit website.
Concordia University
Concordia University, St. Paul is a comprehensive, private university of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and one of 10 schools that comprise the Concordia University System. Established in 1893, Concordia offers more than 40 liberal arts majors, including business administration, education, fine arts, science and church professions. Concordia is a regional leader in accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, criminal justice and Christian outreach. Concordia is the only private university in Minnesota to offer NCAA Division II athletics for men and women. Visit website.
Hamline University
Creativity and innovation in teaching and learning are the hallmark of Hamline University—home to nearly 4,900 undergraduate, graduate and law students. At Hamline, students are challenged in and out of the classroom to create and apply knowledge in local and global contexts, while cultivating an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice and inclusive leadership and service. Hamline is the top-ranked and only “Great Schools, Great Prices” university of its class in Minnesota, according to U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1854, Hamline also is Minnesota’s first university and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Visit website.
St. Catherine University
Education programs at St. Catherine University integrate a liberal arts core and practical courses with an emphasis on fieldwork. Experienced, engaged faculty focus on educating teacher leaders, whether they are just entering the field or returning to higher education for graduate study. St. Catherine University future teachers are in school settings early and often — long before a formal student-teaching experience. This emphasis on fieldwork serves students by preparing them for the realities and challenges of the classroom. A distinctive feature of St. Kate’s elementary education preparation requires licensure candidates to complete a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) certificate so they are confident and competent STEM educators.
Visit website.
University of St. Thomas
Licensure programs at the University of St. Thomas emphasize active, outcome‐oriented learning. From your first day you’ll receive the support of a personal and professional network like no other. Dedicated, full‐time faculty, diverse students, and thousands of alumni provide opportunities for life‐long collaboration and enrichment.

Our extensive range of teaching licensure programs meet the most recent requirements established by the state of Minnesota. All teacher licensure programs are approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching, and UST is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. In addition to licensure, you can earn your MA, EdS, and EdD.
Visit website.

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Come be a part of the exciting changes in the way we prepare our teachers! Our co-teaching approach to student teaching pairs you with a mentor teacher for this year-long experience, which allows both teachers to engage with the students in the classroom. Our integrated curriculum allows you to learn both in a classroom as well as through hands-on experiences in schools. Our dedication to educating all students provides you the opportunity to work with our diverse communities to impact the achievement gap. Be the great teacher you’ve always wanted to be – join us at the U of M!
Visit website.

Winona State University
You are here because you want a great education to be a future teacher...You will not be disappointed. The young children of today are the builders of tomorrow. Our next generation deserves a great education too...You will not disappoint them. If you answer the call to teach...we promise to:

welcome you into a community of learners prepare you well with innovative programs inspire you with a dedicated faculty and supportive peers and mentors give you early, ongoing, and extensive experience in area classrooms mentor you and continue to support you after graduation as part of an ongoing induction into the profession

Visit website.