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Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC)

About

MN CTE is a statewide service of Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC), a regional government and school district (ISD 926) established under Minnesota State Statute 123A.21, in collaboration with the Minnesota Service Cooperatives. Although based in west-central Minnesota (Economic Development Region 4), LCSC provides high-quality, innovative programs to school districts, cities, counties, other governmental agencies, and nonprofit institutions throughout the state.

MN CTE is the only Career and Technical Education (CTE) alternative teacher preparation program in Minnesota approved by the state teacher licensing board. The program offers no-cost, grant-funded alternative pathways to licensure for accepted participants. To date, more than 300 teachers have earned their licenses through LCSC’s programs.

  • Government/Nonprofit organization
  • Fergus Falls

Institution Links

  • Admissions
  • Online Application
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Finally, there’s someone helping to make this work. The legislature and PELSB writes it in law and maybe wants it to happen but doesn’t seem to be able to do much to make this easier for us to keep teaching. What LCSC is doing is greatly, greatly appreciated.

LCSC CTE Licensure Candidate

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Certification-only

CTE Alternative Teacher Preparation Program

Start Checklist

  • 24 months

    Program Duration

  • Online

    Program Format

  • Pre-Test Required

    No

Relevant Links

Program

Program Info

LCSC’s online, flexible alternative licensure program provides a clear pathway to obtain an initial Minnesota teaching license for industry experts new to the profession (Tier 1) and those working toward permanency (Tier 3). It also offers additional licensure options for currently licensed teachers (Tier 3 or 4) seeking to add another licensure area. Individuals without either industry or teaching experience—such as recent high school graduates—are typically better served by a traditional teacher preparation program.

The program is designed to be efficient, affordable, attainable, results-oriented and competency-based. It offers a clear path to licensure while remaining nimble enough to focus on your individual needs, providing a personalized study plan. Unlike traditional college courses, there are no grades or tuition fees, and you won’t need to buy expensive textbooks. Instead, all coursework is practical and hands-on, emphasizing real-world knowledge and skills you can use right away in the classroom. Each module and project is designed to be useful and relevant. Plus, it’s available on-demand, so you can learn without being limited by the traditional school calendar. Please note that this program is designed for licensure only, and does not result in a degree.

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Deadlines

    Program Start

  • Rolling Deadline

    Fall

  • Rolling Deadline

    Winter

  • Rolling Deadline

    Spring

  • Rolling Deadline

    Summer

Get Deadline Reminders

Ways to Lower Your Costs

Students at Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC) have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC) to see if you can, too!

Amount
Description

Full tuition

Grants, Stipends, Scholarships

Tuition for the program is $7,000 for initial licensure and $3,500 for each additional license. However, if you’re accepted, these costs are fully covered by grants—so you won’t pay out of pocket. Funding from the Service Cooperatives’ CTE Consortium Grant, PELSB’s Pathways Preparation Grant, and the federal Perkins Grant makes the program generally free. Plus, there’s no application fee.

Certifications

CTE: Career Pathways
CTE: Communications Technology Careers (grades 7-12)
CTE: Construction Careers (grades 7-12)
CTE: Creative Design Careers 7-12
CTE: Early Childhood Careers (grades 7-12)
CTE: Hospitality Careers (grades 7-12)
CTE: Manufacturing Careers (grades 7-12)
CTE: Medical Careers (grades 7-12)
CTE: Transportation Careers (grades 7-12)
Cosmetology 9-12
Law Enforcement Services 9-12
Teacher/Coordinator of Work-Based Learning (add-on only)

Get Started

Dig deeper. Visit Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC) 's website to learn more and apply.