On June 26, 2026, the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) voted to discontinue Minnesota licensure eligibility for Martin Luther College’s teacher education programs.
Martin Luther College remains a highly regarded and fully accredited college, committed to preparing faith-filled, servant-hearted, and highly qualified Lutheran teachers for service in WELS schools. Our graduates continue to be well prepared in the subjects they teach and in the instructional skills needed to lead successful classrooms. Above all, they are prepared to share the gospel and faithfully serve in WELS schools. We consistently hear positive feedback from schools throughout our synod, and PELSB itself affirmed many strengths on our campus through MLC’s successful Unit Visit, passing a reading audit, and passing the Standards of Effective Practice.
The recent PELSB decision to discontinue the license eligibility is not debating the quality of MLC’s graduates. Rather, it relates to how MLC demonstrates, through documented assessment and evidence, that discipline-specific content standards within MLC’s teacher education programs are consistently being met and those programs continuously improved. We have not always provided the clear, consistent evidence PELSB requires to demonstrate how our programs meet each discipline-specific content standard.
There is no evidence that this recommendation by PELSB has anything to do with MLC’s mission or our confession of faith. PELSB has continued to give us room to be who we are as Confessional Lutherans without compromising our convictions.
This action does not impact staff ministry or pre-seminary students. Licensure is only a factor for those training in teacher education programs.
Here are critical next steps. MLC had already begun strengthening these processes before PELSB’s recommendation. In 2024, MLC, in partnership with our synod, initiated work with consultants from the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), resulting in a campus-wide initiative known as Project Sunrise. These efforts and other institutional initiatives are focused on strengthening our assessment, documentation, and continuous improvement practices to provide clearer evidence of the excellence of MLC’s teacher preparation programs.
MLC’s mission has not changed. We remain committed to preparing faith-filled, servant-hearted, and highly qualified Lutheran teachers for WELS schools. As we strengthen our assessment and documentation processes, MLC will continue its mission of preparing graduates with a highly regarded education who are fully prepared to serve in WELS schools.
We will continue to update this page as additional information becomes available. If you have questions that are not addressed below, or would like additional information, please contact Martin Luther College. We are committed to providing clear, timely, and accurate communication throughout this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the June 26 PELSB meeting?
Today (June 26), the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) reviewed the recommendation from its program reviewers and approved the discontinuation of Minnesota licensure eligibility for MLC’s teacher education programs.
What is MLC doing to restore licensure?
MLC is actively pursuing steps to restore Minnesota licensure eligibility, including engaging assessment consultants to help us establish the kind of strong evidential support for our programs that PELSB seeks.
How long will it take MLC to regain licensure?
PELSB rules speak of a three-year waiting period to reapply for licensure. However, PELSB representatives have repeatedly reminded MLC that there is an opportunity to ask for a variance that would allow MLC to apply earlier for the restoration of licensure eligibility. Every step MLC pursues to strengthen its systems of assessment could speed the day of receiving such a variance.
Does this affect current students?
This does not affect current students, who are already enrolled in MLC’s teacher education program. They will continue through their program and graduate as fully license-eligible teachers. This decision primarily affects incoming first-year and transfer students entering teacher education programs.
What happens if MLC does not restore licensure by the time incoming students graduate?
If licensure hasn’t been restored by the time impacted students graduate, MLC is committed to providing support to cover the costs of obtaining a license after graduation.
Does this action impact staff ministry or pre-seminary students?
Licensure is only a factor for those training in teacher education programs.
Does this change MLC’s accreditation?
No. Martin Luther College remains a fully accredited institution.
Can graduates who are not license-eligible still become WELS teachers?
Yes. MLC graduates will continue to graduate as highly qualified Lutheran teachers, fully prepared to serve in WELS schools. They will graduate as ministry-certified and eligible for a call into the teaching ministry.
