Graduate Certificate: Adult Education (AdEd)
Overview
Who Can Get a Certificate?
- Degree and non-degree seeking students from both within and outside the department are eligible to get a certificate.
- Many students who pursue a baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degree add to their credential by getting a certificate in adult education or human resource development.
- Some students get both certificates.
What Value Is a Certificate?
- The certificates provide additional recognition of professional expertise, particularly when combined with a degree.
- The certificates are a reflection of a commitment to lifelong learning.
- The certificates add a credential to a variety of professional fields (e.g., family education, community education, career counseling, nursing education, industrial relations).
- The certificates in human resource development and adult education are noted on the official transcript (i.e., they have had the approval of the Regents of the University of Minnesota).
Curriculum
The adult education graduate certificate requires a minimum of 14 credits. Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.
- WHRE 5001—Survey: Human Resource Development and Adult Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5201 [Formerly AdEd 5101]—Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 cr)
- OLPD 5202 [Formerly AdEd 5102]—Perspectives of Adult Learning & Development (3 cr)
- OLPD 5296 [Formerly AdEd 5196]—Field Experience (3-6 cr; 4 cr recommended)
OR OLPD 5696 [Formerly HRD 5196]—Internship: Human Resource Development (4 cr) - Electives:
The remaining credits can be selected from adult education coursework OR OLPD 5607 [Formerly HRD 5301]—Organization Development (3 cr).
Admission
Admission is open to degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students.
How to Apply
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be submitted at any time.
Application Materials
All applicants must submit the following items:
- Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, including the
University of Minnesota. Transcripts can be uploaded directly into the Apply Yourself online application system. For
instructions on how to upload your transcripts into the application system,
click here.
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 4-6 weeks, so please plan in advance. You can use any provider that is an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).
Application Instructions
- Log in to the online application system to apply to the certificate program. Be sure to save your PIN and password so you can access the application system to view your admission stats.
- When completing “Application Information” you will be asked what type of program you are applying to—choose “Certificate” from the pull down menu. Next you will be asked for your primary program objective—choose “Adult Education” from the pull down menu. You do not need to select a second or third emphasis. You can skip those boxes and continue to complete the rest of the page.
- Continue through the application pages. Upload your resume on the "Supplemental Material" page.
- Be sure to hit "submit" after you have completed the application. You will receive a decision notification by email within three weeks of submission of your application.
- Click here to begin the online application process.
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).
Minimum TOEFL score requirements are:
Internet-based test: 79-80
Computer-based test: 213
Paper-based test: 550
Program Completion
Final certificate clearance depends on completion of all course requirements, including the posting of final grades to the student’s transcript, and approval by program faculty.
In addition to completing all program requirements, students must complete the following forms:
- CEHD Application for Degree/Certificate Completion [PDF]
- AdEd Certificate Program Planning Sheet [Word or PDF]
Student Services clears certificates on a monthly basis. Both forms must be submitted to Student Services on or before the first day of the month that the student intends to graduate. Students who submit forms to Student Services after the first day of the month will be cleared to graduate at the end of the following month.
Successful completion of the certificate will be noted on the student's official University of Minnesota transcript and an official certificate will be issued.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Shari Peterson
Phone: 612-624-4980
Email: peter007@umn.edu
Revised March 2012