IESE Block Applications are now closed
Please check back in September 2025 for information on the next block application window. Contact [email protected] for help with the Tk20 system.
IESE Eligible Block Application Semesters
IESE Students are eligible to apply in either Fall or Spring Semester. If accepted, the student will start the blocks the following semester.
Block admission applications are due the sixth Friday of each semester, at 4:00 pm, to begin the major program the following semester.
Major Admission
All students intending to enter the IESE major start out at UMD as a Pre-IESE student. A Pre-IESE status simply means that the student is completing the necessary courses (liberal education, lower division, and some upper division) and making progress towards completing the admission to the IESE major “blocks” requirements. Most students apply to the IESE Blocks during their sophomore spring or junior fall semester. At this time students must meet the major requirements in order to be eligible. Once students meet the admission requirements, students then formally apply for admission into the major (i.e., to the “IESE Blocks”). The blocks are a total of 5 semesters or 2.5 years. Once admitted to the blocks students will be required to complete 3 rigorous semesters of a common core including courses in elementary and special education with an emphasis in assessment, management, content area subjects, and teaching strategies. The final two semesters are student teaching in an elementary classroom setting and a special education setting.
Elementary and special education licensure requirements are established by the state of Minnesota and guided by national standards. Those requirements are changed periodically. For this reason, all IESE majors should maintain contact with their advisor as they advance through the program.
Selection of Candidates
Each candidate must be a declared IESE major. Students must meet all the admission requirements to be considered for admission into the Integrated Elementary Special Education major. ALL essential components listed below must be completed correctly and submitted on time in order for the application to be accepted.
Faculty Advisor Review
Prior to submitting your application, you MUST meet with your faculty advisor to review your application. During this meeting your advisor will review your application in Tk20 and complete their review form to confirm that you are eligible to apply to the blocks. Meeting with your advisor is mandatory in order for your application to be considered eligible for admittance into the IESE Blocks.
Selection Criteria
Please read the entire webpage for a full explanation of the criteria.
- Cumulative GPA (2.7), including transfer credit
- Pre-Integrated Elementary Special Education Major GPA (2.7)
- Applicants must provide documentation of at least 30 hours of experience working with children, out of which a minimum of 10 hours are required within the K-8 classroom. This experience must have been completed within the last two years of the application date. This experience may be verified.
- The application requires 1 letter of reference that highlights the following criteria required in teaching:
- Work relationships with others
- Reliability and Professionalism
- Ability to Reflect
- Flexibility
- Ethical Behavior
- Preparedness
- Communication
- Enthusiasm
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Self-Initiative
This reference must include a person who has supervised your work with children, preferably within a diverse setting, such as those involving cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, or disability-related diversity. References may also be verified.
Application Components to be uploaded into TK20
In order to better prepare for your application completion we strongly recommend that you collect these documents as soon as possible. All documents must be in PDF format. The Media Hub in the KPlz 173 can assist with scanning physical documents into a digital format.
Important: Please name each document as follows: (your last name, your first name, title of document).pdf. For example: Jones, Maria, APAS.pdf
APAS Report
- Instructions on how to download the “printer friendly report version”.pdf. Instructions also guide you through using Adobe Reader’s highlight tool. Use the highlight tool to indicate the following requirements on your APAS:
- Cumulative GPA & Major GPA (must be a minimum 2.7, including transfer credit)
- Cumulative Credits (completed and in progress): Must be a minimum of 60 credits
- Courses (grades must be C- or better)
- AHS 3300
- ART 2810
- CSD 2230
- EDUC 1002
- EDUC 1101
- EDUC 2000
- IESE 1010
- IESE 2001 or EDUC 1100
- IESE 3331
- MATH 1140
- MATH 1142
- MU 3600
- SPED 4433
- UST 1000 or ECH1000 or ES 1000 or PSY 1100
- WRIT 3140
Tentative Planner
- Download a copy of the tentative planner.
- Once you have saved your own copy, edit the tentative planner as follows:
- Add your name.
- Add the term that you will be completing each semester (e.g. Block 1, Spring 2025).
- Add the date (month and year) of your graduation.
- If applicable, you must also include any missing Pre-IESE coursework that needs to be completed during the blocks. Once finished, ensure you save the tentative planner.
- If you are missing any coursework, you may be admitted on a conditional basis to the program with the caveat that you do need to complete any outstanding coursework outside of the IESE program requirements prior to student teaching (Block 4).
Letter of Reference & 30 hours of experience with children
- Applicants must submit a record of a minimum of 30 hours of experience working with children, out of which a minimum of 10 hours are required within the K-8 classroom.
- Applicants are required to submit 1 Letter of Reference Form. Reference must include:
- At least 30 hours of experience working with children, out of which a minimum of 10 hours are required within the K-8 classroom.
- This experience must have been completed within the last two years of the application date.
Block Admission Notification
Block admission decisions will be sent to students' UMD emails.