Master of Education (M.Ed.) Professional Studies: Agricultural Education
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies program in agricultural education is a graduate-level, practitioner-based program.
Candidates must complete at least 30 semester credits to complete the program. Two types of M.Ed. programs are available:
- Plan I is for licensed teachers of agricultural education.
- Plan II is for individuals who are interested in agri-industry training and development, sales and sales management, extension service, or other areas of agriculturally based business.
Candidates for both plans must have at least one year of professional experience before the degree is awarded; an oral examination is also required.
The program is flexible and can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students. With guidance from faculty advisers, students choose at least 30 semester credits that may include coursework, independent study, internships, workshops, school-based experiences, and an integrating paper. The program is offered by the Department of Organizational, Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
Courses at the University of Minnesota are offered at a variety of times, including late afternoons. Students can also enroll in courses offered during the summer and at off-campus school sites.
Admission
The College reviews applications on an ongoing basis. Application reviews for specific academic terms begin by the following dates. Students are encouraged to submit application materials to Student Services by the following dates:
- November 1—spring semester admission
- March 1—summer session admission
- July 1—fall semester admission
Admission requirements for this program include the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree with a 2.50 overall grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution
- Relevant professional experience or relevant undergraduate major
All applicants must submit the following items:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope, and mailed to CEHD Student Services, 360 Education Sciences Bldg, 56 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
- Any student with a U.S. bachelor's degree or a comparable foreign degree from an accredited college or university may apply to CEHD. Official transcripts of all previous post-secondary academic study must be submitted. If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take four-six weeks, so please plan in advance. A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). You can, however, use any provider that is an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
All applicants must upload or submit the following items with their online applications:
- Résumé
- Personal Statement describing your career goals and rationale for interest in the M.Ed. program (limit two pages)
- $55 application fee [Effective July 1, 2012 the fee changes to $75 ]charged when your online application is submitted. Fees must be paid with a credit card.
Nonnative English speakers and/or international students
All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Exceptions may be granted for applicants who will have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.)
Minimum TOEFL score requirements:
- Internet-based test: 79-80
- Computer-based test: 213
- Paper-based test: 550
Applicants may also be required to demonstrate spoken English proficiency in an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and/or oral interview with faculty or staff. Contact Student Services for more information.
International applicants who will require an I-20 for a student visa must submit a Financial Certification Statement, which will be mailed to you upon admission to the program.
Apply Online
- Apply Online
- Save your PIN number and password so that you can work on the application over time.
- Follow application instructions carefully, because once your application is submitted, you will no longer have access to add/change application information or upload required supplemental material.
- As your application is being reviewed, you can log back into your account to view your current application status.
- Your admission decision will also be displayed in your application account.
Applicants are typically notified of admission decisions four to six weeks after application deadlines.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of 12 graduate semester transfer credits may be applied to the M.Ed. program. Credits may include any combination of the following coursework:
- Up to eight graduate semester credits from fully accredited institutions other than the University of Minnesota
- Credits completed at the University of Minnesota before admission to the M.Ed. program
Transfer courses must be completed at the graduate level and approved by a faculty adviser and the college. Contact the program’s faculty adviser for more information.
Curriculum
Plan I—Requirements for licensed teachers
- AFEE 5290—Seminar: Current Issues in Agricultural Education and Extension (1-3 cr)
OR
AFEE 5280—Current Issues for the Beginning Agricultural Education Teacher (1-3 cr)
OR
equivalent, chosen in consultation with an adviser - AFEE 5995—Integrating Paper–Master of Education: Agricultural and Extension Education (1-4 cr)
- OLPD 5819 [Formerly WHRE 5901]—Using Research in Work and Human Resource Education (3 cr)
- Minimum of 6 credits in AFEE courses, with at least 2 credits from each of the following three areas: curriculum; methods; and program planning, organization, management
- 16 credits in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences or related fields of study (A maximum of 12 credits of AFEE 5220—Special Topics in Agriculture Education and Extension (1-3 cr) may be applied to this requirement.)
Plan II—Requirements for agricultural education professionals
- AFEE 5290—Seminar: Current Issues in Agricultural Education and Extension (1-3 cr)
OR
AFEE 5331—History, Philosophy, and Systems of Extension (3 cr)
OR
equivalent, chosen in consultation with an adviser - AFEE 5995—Integrating Paper–Master of Education: Agricultural and Extension Education (1-4 cr)
- OLPD 5819 [Formerly WHRE 5901]—Using Research in Work and Human Resource Education (3 cr)
- Minimum of 10 credits selected from the following two areas: methods; and program planning, organization, management
- 12 credits in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences or related fields of study (A maximum of 8 credits of AFEE 5220—Special Topics in Agriculture Education and Extension (1-3 cr) may be applied to this requirement.)
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule.
Registration
Currently admitted degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students may register online for coursework.
Students who want to begin M.Ed. coursework before admission to the M.Ed. program must use the One Stop non-degree registration option.
For questions about registration, contact Student Services at
612-625-3339.
Contacts
For questions regarding the admissions process, admissions documents, or general information about the program contact:
Dr. Jeremy Hernandez
Coordinator of graduate studies
herna220@umn.edu
Specific questions regarding course content should be directed to:
Dr. Brad Greiman
Associate Professor
Office: 146J Ruttan Hall
Phone: 612-624-5644
Email: bgreiman@umn.edu
Dr. James G. Leising
Professor
Office: 146C Ruttan Hall
Email: jleising@umn.edu
Revised May 2012