Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about parent and family education programs at the University of Minnesota
Program information
- Which parent and family education program is right for me?
- License or certificate: What’s the difference?
- How long will it take me to complete my program?
- Is it possible to obtain a degree at the same time I pursue either the parent education licensure program or the parent education certificate program?
Course information
- How are online courses different from other courses?
- When are parent education online courses offered?
- Online course description and registration information
- How do I register for a special topic
course?
(CI 5900—Special Topics in Family, Youth, and Community) - Can I take classes if I haven’t been accepted to the program?
- Will the courses in the parent education programs qualify for CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator) preparation or continuing education?
Admission information
- How do I apply to the Ph.D. or M.A. in Family, Youth, and Community program?
- How do I apply to the family education M.Ed./professional studies program?
- How do I apply to the Parent and Family Education Licensure program?
- How do I apply to the Parent Education Certificate program?
Financial information
Additional information
Which parent and family education program is right for me?
FYC’s programs prepare parent and family educators for a variety of professional positions and career opportunities:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in education: curriculum and instruction are appropriate for individuals interested in family education who intend to conduct research, teach in higher education settings and/or provide leadership in family education programs. Application to these programs is through the Graduate School. The Family, Youth, and Community application must accompany your Graduate School application to show the ways your goals and previous preparation create a good fit for these programs.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) professional studies in family education program prepares professional practitioners who are skilled in the development, implementation, delivery and assessment of family education programs. Students specifically interested in parent education can tailor this 30-credit graduate degree to incorporate licensure in parent and family education or the certificate in parent education. Note: This side-by-side comparison of the Master of Arts and the Master of Education programs may also be useful to help you decide.
State of Minnesota Teacher Licensure in Parent and Family Education program: In Minnesota, a parent educator teacher license is required for employment as a parent educator in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs. The licensure program ensures that Minnesota parent educators are well-prepared and qualified to develop and deliver educational programs for parents. All courses needed for obtaining this license are available online. Previously completed courses at the bachelor’s or graduate level are applied toward licensure requirements when they meet state standards. Students may include licensure credits toward the M.Ed. professional studies degree (download sample M.Ed. planning form), or the M.A. or Ph.D. degrees.
Certificate in Parent Education program provides the same professional preparation as the licensure program, but students do not have to complete additional requirements to be granted a Minnesota teacher license. A certificate in parent education prepares parent educators for positions in Minnesota that do not require a Minnesota parent educator license and for parent education positions in other states and countries. These parent educators may find positions in health, social service agencies and institutions, and religious settings. The certificate can be completed as part of a M.Ed. professional studies degree, or the M.A. or Ph.D. degrees.
License or certificate: What’s the difference?
Individuals who intend to work with parents in an Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program, the State of Minnesota requires that you hold a teacher license in parent and family education. If you live in Minnesota and think that you may ever want the opportunity to work with parents in ECFE programs, you will want to apply to the parent and family education licensure program.
Individuals who want to work in Minnesota, but not in ECFE, or live outside of Minnesota and never expect to need a Minnesota teaching license in your professional role as a parent educator, then a graduate-level certificate in parent education on your transcript from the University of Minnesota will show employers that you are highly prepared by a respected leader in the field of parent education. Few other states or nations have parent education preparation requirements as rigorous as Minnesota, and few graduate programs in parent education can compare in quality with what is offered in this certificate. And, there is no other parent education graduate level professional development program offered entirely online.
How long will it take me to complete my program?
See the table below for general guidelines on program timing. Students may take longer to complete or start their coursework at other times of the year given their schedules and course offerings. Students who need to make up child development coursework may also need to extend these timelines.
| Program | Typical time to completion |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. (78 credits) | Requires 4-6 years to complete. |
| M.A. (Plan A, 31 credits; Plan B, 30 credits) | Generally requires 2 years or more to complete coursework and research thesis or project requirements. |
| M.Ed. (30 credits) | Can be completed in 24-30 months. |
| License (27 credits) | Can be completed in 12-18 months. |
| Certificate: (16 credits) | Coursework can be completed in 12 months by starting the program in the summer and taking the courses highlighted during fall and spring semesters. |
Is it possible to obtain a degree at the same time I pursue either the parent education licensure program or the parent education certificate program?
Yes! By the time you have completed a certificate or licensure in parent education, you will be well on your way to having completed a graduate degree, particularly the Masters of Education (M.Ed.). Time to completion varies by the degree program, as the M.Ed., M.A. and Ph.D. have different course requirements. Discuss these options with Heather Cline (email: fyc@umn.edu, phone: 612-624-1294) or your program adviser as early as possible to maximize the fit between programs.
Download a sample M.Ed. program form showing how parent education certificate and licensure courses fit in the degree (pdf file).
How are online courses different from other courses?
Online courses offer many advantages to learning. They give students tremendous flexibility to study and complete a degree program wherever they are, rather than coming to campus. Although our courses are structured, online learning also allows students to fit their coursework into their schedules. Yet, the experience is different than sitting in classroom. Some students say that they miss the in person interaction with instructors and students. At the University of Minnesota, we strive to make the online learning experience rich and meaningful and as rewarding as taking the class in a classroom.
The intensive core of eight parent education courses are offered online. Each course consists of 5-13 weekly modules. Our courses are capped at 17 students to allow for rich and dynamic interaction, and instructor attention. All students enrolled in an online course complete all modules together on the same schedule. In addition to asynchronous (i.e., not simultaneous) online discussions, short weekly reflection papers and other online assignments, students participate once a week in a scheduled synchronous, “live” online 45 minute chat session scheduled between 7and 9 P.M. Central Time.
Online learning does require discipline and focus and organization by the learner. We have a number of suggestions and helps for students to make their online learning experience a positive one.
Students enrolled in online courses must have access to a computer with reliable internet access and be able to configure their computer to meet computer and internet browser standards for online course delivery.
When are parent education online courses offered?
|
Online parent education core courses |
Semester offered | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| May/Summer | Fall | Spring | |
|
CI 5932—Introduction to parent education (1 cr) |
5 weekly modules |
5 weekly modules |
--- |
|
CI 5942—Everyday experiences of families (2 cr) |
8 weekly modules |
--- |
8 weekly modules |
|
CI 5937—Parent-child interaction (3 cr) |
--- |
13 weekly modules |
13 weekly modules |
|
CI 5943—Parent learning and development: Implications for parent education (2 cr) |
--- |
8 weekly modules early in semester |
8 weekly modules early in semester |
|
CI 5944—Parent education curriculum |
--- |
8 weekly modules late in semester |
--- |
|
CI 5945—Teaching and learning in parent education (2 cr)* |
--- |
--- |
8 weekly modules early in semester |
|
CI 5946—Assessment and evaluation
in parent education |
--- |
--- |
8 weekly modules late in semester |
|
CI 5949—Student teaching in parent education (2 cr)** |
--- |
--- |
5 3-week modules |
Revised 4-16-2009
* Prereq CI 5943. Contact Heather at
FYC@umn.edu for permission to register
for CI 5944 the same semester as CI 5943.
** Generally taken after the completion of other coursework. Special
application and instructor permission required.
Online course description and registration:
Online parent education course description and registration information
Additional information related to online and distance-learning courses
How do I register for a special topic
course?
(CI 5900—Special Topics in Family, Youth,
and Community)
How you register will depend on how you want to use your credits.
Current students: Students already admitted to a licensure or degree program at the University of Minnesota may register using One Stop’s registration process. Check with your adviser to determine how these credits apply to your program.
Future Graduate School students: Students who desire admission to a Graduate School program (M.A., M.S.W., Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.) and want to take a course for graduate credit should download and submit the Registration request for graduate credit (for non-degree students) [.pdf] or contact the University of Minnesota Graduate School, 308 Johnston Hall, 612-625-9364. Graduate School tuition rates apply. Contact the graduate studies assistant at cigs@umn.edu with questions about Graduate School programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Future certificate, licensure, and M.Ed. students: Students who desire admission to a certificate, licensure, or M.Ed. program and want to take courses before they have been admitted are strongly encouraged to contact Heather Cline (fyc@umn.edu, 612-624-1294) to discuss transfer credits and registration options.
Non-degree-seeking students: Students desiring coursework for professional development only may register for classes as non-degree students. These students may register through Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 612-625-5815, cehdgrad@umn.edu, by completing the following first-time-registration forms for non-degree-seeking students. M.Ed. tuition rates apply.
- Application for Non-Degree-Seeking Students [.pdf] *
- Credit Enrollment Request Form [.pdf] *
*If you filled out the Application for Non-Degree-Seeking Students for a previous semester, you only need to complete the Credit Enrollment Request Form.
Can I take classes if I haven’t been accepted to the program?
Yes. Students may want to begin coursework before being formally accepted into a program or may wish to take an occasional course in the program. These students can register for classes as a non-degree-seeking students. Students must complete a CEHD First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students packet before being able to register for courses. Packets are also available at the College’s office of Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu. As noted above, however, students are not eligible for financial aid for courses taken as a non-degree-seeking student.
Students from other departments and majors are welcome to take parent education courses. If a waitlist occurs for a class, preference for admission to the course will be given to students currently enrolled in one of the parent and family education programs.
Will the courses in the parent education programs qualify for CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator) preparation or continuing education?
Yes. Each course in the parent education program counts towards the parent education portion of CFLE certification from the National Council on Family Relations, and towards continuing education, for those who have the CFLE designation. Parent and family education coursework, including those courses not required for certification or licensure, are often eligible for continuing education credits for many family and consumer science (e.g., AAFCS), social and psychological science-related professions.
Admission Information
How do I apply to the Ph.D. or M.A. in family, youth, and community education program?
Admission information for Graduate School programs (doctor of philosophy and master of arts)
How do I apply to the M.Ed. professional studies in family education program?
Detailed information about the admission requirements, admission processes, and who to contact for further information is available on the family education M.Ed. professional studies page.
How do I apply to the Parent and Family Education Licensure program?
Detailed information about the admission requirements, admission processes, and who to contact for further information is available on the Parent and Family Education Licensure page.
How do I apply to the Parent Education Certificate program?
Detailed information about prerequisite admission requirements, admission processes, and who to contact for further information is available on the Parent Education Certificate page.
Financial Information
How much will it cost to complete a UMN parent education program?
Certificate tuition and other fees vary, depending on a student’s enrollment status and residency. Tuition fees are charged according to the following criteria:
- Students seeking the certificate only pay the CEHD departmental master’s (M.Ed.) tuition rate
- Students enrolled in certificate and master of education (M.Ed.) programs pay the CEHD departmental master’s tuition rate
- Students enrolled in Graduate School programs (e.g., M.A., Ph.D., Ed.D.) pay Graduate School tuition rates.
For current tuition rates and additional fees, see the CEHD tuition and fees page, and tuition policies for non-degree students. Tuition rates are determined annually by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents before fall semester. Students may be billed for additional fees at the time of registration.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is available for students admitted to the M.Ed. professional studies program, and those students admitted to other graduate degree programs at the University (e.g., M.A., Ph.D.). Students must be enrolled at least part-time, which for graduate students is a course load of 3 credits per semester (full-time status is 6 credits per semester) to be eligible for financial aid programs.
Students who are ineligible for federally-guaranteed financial aid programs are:
- students enrolled for credit as non-degree-seeking students;
- degree-seeking students provisionally admitted to their degree program (students become eligible once they have met all conditions of the provisional admittance); and
- students admitted to a certificate or licensure program in parent education as their primary program (not also enrolled in a degree program such as the M.Ed., M.A., or Ph.D.).
Students ineligible for federally guaranteed financial aid programs may, however, be eligible for other loans or financial assistance. All students interested in financial assistance are encouraged to learn about financial aid programs and options. Students are encouraged to contact One Stop with individual questions.
Minimum credit requirement per semester for receiving financial aid:
M.Ed./Professional Studies in Family Education — 3 credits per semester (part-time status)
Additional Information
Who should I contact if I still have questions?
- Ph.D. and M.A. programs in Family, Youth, and Community
Susan Walker
skwalker@umn.edu - M.Ed./professional studies program in family education
(masters program for family education professionals)
Heather Cline
cline048@umn.edu - Parent and family education licensure
Heather Cline
cline048@umn.edu
- Parent education certificate
Heather Cline
cline048@umn.edu
