FasTrack Secondary Initiative

Did you earn a degree in math, history, science, English, Spanish, music, art, social studies (or other content areas) but have not found employment? Teach!! FasTrack offers two semesters and one summer of coursework to meet the Board of Teaching Standards of Effective Practice.

Bemidji State University now offers an online opportunity, through the Center for Extended Learning, assisting those individuals wishing to teach at the secondary level and willing to submit a portfolio to the Minnesota Department of Education for the purpose of certification. Teachers working outside their area of licensure can also add other licensed areas.  We specialize in serving candidates working on limited licenses.

Preparation for Secondary licensure and Middle School (and several K-12 licenses) is offered by Bemidji State University's FasTrack Initiative. FasTrack provides an alternative pathway to licensure meeting the Minnesota Board of Teaching Standards of Effective Practice requirements.

Click here to review the teaching licenses currently available

Statistics!!

We have just completed a survey on the Fastrackers who graduated in the Spring of 2007. We reached 88% of the completers. 100% of the cohort passed their Praxis 2 tests on Pedagogy and Content on their first try and 100% of the completers are working!!

The FasTrack Design for Success:

•  Rigorous, condensed, designed for working adults coursework.
•  Each student has their own self-selected mentor who advocates for their academic and placement success.
•  Average faculty years of service in K-12 = 14. Many faculty are still practicing.
•  Constructivist, 21^st century curriculum delivery technologies WILL be part of your resume when you complete Fastrack.  Our candidates tell us these skills are as valuable in the job market as offering to teach soccer!

You will meet three times a year face-to-face at Anoka Ramsey Community College - Coon Rapids Campus, 11200 Mississippi Blvd. NW,Coon Rapids, MN 55433 and the rest of the curriculum is delivered using a very interactive course management software called Desire To Learn.  FasTrack offers three semesters of coursework to meet the Board of Teaching Standards of Effective Practice with a fourth and final semester of student teaching. 

Those hoping to enroll in the FasTrack Secondary Initiative must have previously earned a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy (or other) degree in a Minnesota Department of Education content licensure area. 

Financial Aid IS available. Course fees are approximately $255.00 per credit for undergraduate and $345 per credit for graduate. You will be admitted as a graduate student should you choose to take graduate level courses, however, you DO NOT have to take the FasTrack courses at a graduate level.

The Minnesota Department of Education Portfolio workshops

• July 22
• August 20th

There will also be a workshop on July 2 for those who will submit a portfolio after January 1, 2010 related to the new requirement of submitting an electronic portfolio.   

The person at the state who can help you develop your Portfolio #2 Content (WHAT you teach) if you choose to enroll in the FasTrack Initiative is Bob Shaw, from the Minnesota Department of Education  651 582 8383.

Please contact :  Robert J Shaw Robert.J.Shaw@state.mn.us  or 651-582-8383

Features of the Program