Master of Education (M.Ed.)/ Professional Studies: Comprehensive Work and Human Resource Education
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies program in work and human resource education (WHRE) is offered by the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). This graduate-level, practitioner-based program can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students.
Students work with their faculty adviser to select specialization courses consistent with their professional goals, select the course(s) to meet the general aspects requirement, and design and complete the integrating project: OLPD 5893 [Formerly WHRE 5993]—Directed Study in WHRE (4 cr). The proposed program must be reviewed and approved by departmental faculty.
The degree program requires at least 30 semester credits at or above the 5xxx level.
Admission Requirements
The college reviews applications on an ongoing basis. Application reviews begin by the following dates. Students are encouraged to submit application materials to Student Services by these dates:
- November 1 for spring semester admission
- March 1 for summer session admission
- July 1 for fall semester admission
Admission requirements for this program include the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a 2.80 minimum grade point average (GPA)
- Professional experience in a work and human resource education field or an undergraduate major in education with an appropriate content field
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)
- Letters of recommendation two individuals who can attest to your ability/potential in the field
- Application fee of $55.00 [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
Two types of M.Ed. plans are offered:
- Plan I is for licensed educators planning to pursue advanced professional study and requires a minimum of 17 semester credits of departmental courses (courses with designators in the following list: ADED, AFEE, BIE, EDPA, HRD, OLPD, WHRE).
- Plan II is for professionals seeking additional education and requires a minimum of 21 semester credits of departmental courses (courses with designators in the following list: ADED, AFEE, BIE, EDPA, HRD, OLPD, WHRE).
Students choose the remaining credits with the guidance and approval of faculty advisers. A maximum of 6 semester credits in field-based projects, problems courses, directed study, independent study, and internships may be applied to the program.
Plan I course requirements
General aspects (minimum 2 cr)
- OLPD 5806 [Formerly WHRE 5301]—Philosophy and Practice of Career and Technical Education (2 cr)
- or OLPD 5811 [Formerly WHRE 5511]—Education for Work (3 cr)
- or OLPD 5823 [Formerly WHRE 5521]—Work-Based Learning Policies (3 cr)
- or OLPD 5813 [Formerly WHRE 5802]—Enhancing Work-based Learning Through Collaboration (2 cr)
Specialization (8 cr)
- Eight credits in departmental courses (ADED, AFEE, BIE, EDPA, HRD, OLPD, WHRE)
Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5819 [Formerly WHRE 5901]—Using Research in Work and Human Resource Education (3 cr)
Integrating Project (4 cr)
- OLPD 5893 [Formerly WHRE 5993]—Directed Study in WHRE (4 cr)
Electives (6 cr)
- Six credits from outside the OLPD department
Plan II course requirements
Students must complete all Plan I requirements. However, the specialization area must include a total of 12 credits in departmental courses and at least one methods of instruction course.
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule at the University’s One Stop student services website.
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.
Core Faculty
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 the
program coordinator:
Dr. Shari Peterson
Coordinator, work and human resource education program
Phone: 612-624-4980
Email: peter007@umn.edu
Revised May 2012