Community and learning
Certificate program
Program
The community and learning certificate is designed to prepare individuals who work in community-based organizations and programs for the informal educational responsibilities that often accompany their roles.
This 15-credit certificate program prepares students to foster learning outside of the classroom, and in their communities. Students will develop informal teaching and learning skills based on engagement and collaboration, building trust and respect among participants.
The program is designed for individuals involved in community life. Examples include public health worker, youth worker, youth program leader, youth program evaluator, community program developer, community activist, community organizer, community educator, community program evaluator, environmental educator, civic engagement educator, political organizer, and teacher.
Certificate goals include providing students with:
- Broad understanding of the history of democratic educational traditions and practices in community settings
- Greater knowledge of and experience with the pedagogy of teaching and learning in informal learning and everyday life situations
- Leadership abilities that support individual and group learning, civic engagement, and empowerment
The program is offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I). The certificate can also provide a portal to additional study, since courses may be applied toward a graduate level program.
Admission
Program admission is open to students who have completed a bachelor's degree. Admission is open to degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Have a minimum 2.80 grade point average (GPA)
Applicants must submit the following application materials:
- Completed Community and Learning Certificate Application [.pdf]
- One-page goal statement
- Current résumé
- Unofficial transcript of current University of Minnesota coursework or transcript showing completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Curriculum
The certificate requires students to complete 15 credits from the following courses:
Students must complete required courses totaling six credits:
- CI 5972—Education in the Community (3 cr)
- CI 5974—The Democratic Learning Community (3 cr)
In addition, students must complete at least nine credits from the following courses (and may not include more than one 4xxx-level course):
- CI 5952—The Everyday Lives of Youth (3 cr)
- CI 5954—Experiential Learning: Pedagogy for Community and Classroom (3 cr)
- CI 5958—Community: Context for Youth Development Leadership (3 cr)
- PHIL 4324—Ethics and Education (3 cr)
- PHIL 4325—Education and Social Change (4 cr)
- PHIL 4326—Lives Worth Living: Questions of Self, Vocation, and Community (6 cr)
- PHIL 8300—Workshop in Moral and Political Philosophy (1 cr)
- Note: Students seeking graduate credit for PHIL 4324, PHIL 4325, or PHIL 4326 must also register concurrently for PHIL 8300.
- PA 5012—The Politics of Public Affairs (3 cr)
- SW 8505—Advanced Community Organization and Advocacy (3 cr) (To enroll in this course, students must be doctoral students in social work, or receive the approval of their adviser and course instructor.)
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University’s One Stop student services Web site.
Registration
Currently admitted degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students may register for coursework online.
Students not already admitted to the University of Minnesota and who do not wish to apply to a degree program should complete a First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students packet [.pdf]. Packets are also available at the college’s office of Student Services, 150 Williamson Hall 231 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; or cehdgrad@umn.edu.
For questions about registration, contact 612-625-5815.
Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.
Tuition
Certificate tuition varies, 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, see the college’s tuition and fees.
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.
Residents of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba may be eligible for special tuition reciprocity rates comparable to Minnesota resident rates. Information about tuition reciprocity is available at the University’s Office of Admissions Web site.
General financial aid advising and information are available from the University’s Office of Student Finance (OSF), 200 Fraser Hall, 106 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-1111; or on the Web.
For graduate assistantship/scholarship information (for students enrolled in graduate degree programs), contact the Graduate Assistant Employment office, 200 Donhowe (for mail) or 100 Donhowe (for walk in), Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-7070; fax: 612-625-9801.
Program staff
Program contact
Lynn Englund
612-624-1055
E-mail: engl8813@umn.edu
Revised March 2007