Education Committee

The Education Committee is responsible for one of the four key components of MLTA's mission which is to educate our members and other title industry professionals through a menu of industry related courses, seminars and informational programs.

Education Committee Chairs:

Brandt Keefe
Stewart Title Guaranty
1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 100
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 948-3218
E-mail

David Welshons
DCA Title
1250 North Frontage Road
Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 304-3500 * FAX (651) 437-6937
E-mail

Current programs include:

Spring Seminar

MLTA’s Spring Seminar is an annual event designed to provide practical education in critical areas facing the profession today. The Spring Seminar features a full-day of programming, a buffet lunch and breaks. Attendees are comprised of title closers, examiners, real estate agents, appraisers, mortgage professionals, business leaders, county officers and others who are actively engaged in the day-to-day operations of their organizations.

Introduction to Closing

"Intro to Closing” is a one-day class designed to give attendees an overview of the closing process . . . from Purchase Agreement to Policy. To give students a true closing experience, the class includes a Mock Closing during which a "real" closing is acted out and title and loan documents are explained. "Intro to Closing" is best suited for new closers, aspiring closers, closing assistants or other title professionals who have an interest in learning the basics of the closing process.

Topics include:

  • Title Order Process
  • Preparing for Closing & Title Clearing
  • Closing Day
  • Mock Closing | Mock Closing Review & Questions
  • Post Closing
  • Fraud
  • Industry Trends
  • Examination & Evaluations

Who:  Those interested in learning more about the basics of closing in order to become a closer and more experienced closers who need credit to secure a closing license.

Continuing education:  8 hours of pre-licensing credit towards a Closer License and 8 hours of real estate continuing education credit.


Course I: Principles of Real Estate Law and Title Insurance

MLTA's "Principles of Real Estate Law and Title Insurance" is designed for individuals who want to learn more about what happens behind the scenes at a title insurance agency.  This class is a great “comprehensive” overview for new title professionals. Topics covered include:

  • Introduction to Real Estate Law
  • Legal Descriptions and Public Land Records
  • Purchase Agreements, Contract for Deed, and Deeds and Conveyances
  • The process of a Title Order and Title Evidence
  • Common Encumbrances and Liens
  • Title Examination
  • Closings (closing process, responsibilities of closer, post-closing)
  • Title Commitments, Policies, and Endorsements

Basic Abstracting and Legal Descriptions

This full day course will cover topics including the rectangular survey system, metes and bounds legal descriptions, auditor’s subdivisions, registered land, common interest communities, judgments and liens. A good part of the day will be spent drawing out actual legal descriptions.

Instructors/Abstractors are present to answer questions and assist in drawing and following legal descriptions. Attendees are asked to bring a pencil, notepad, eraser, and scaled ruler.

Topics include:

  • The History of Abstracting and Land Records
  • The Rectangular Survey System
  • Metes and Bounds Legal Descriptions
  • Plats, Auditor's Subdivisions and Registered Land Surveys
  • Torrens Titles
  • Names and Tax Searches

Who:  Entry-level professionals interested in learning more about the business and/or becoming an abstractor.

Continuing education:  n/a