Environmental education
Master of education/professional studies
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies degree program in environmental education is designed to develop leaders in environmental education through integrated research, outreach, and teaching.
This program of at least 30 semester credits offers an interdisciplinary, integrated approach to environmental learning and leadership for school teachers, extension service educators, and environmental educators in formal and informal settings. People from a variety of backgrounds, including both natural and social sciences, are encouraged to apply for admission. Learning experiences allow students to integrate their work experience and academic study. Field work, evaluation methods, internships, and other practical applications of theory and method are integral parts of the program.
The M.Ed. degree is based on the following principles:
- interdisciplinary study of the earth as a set of interacting natural and social systems
- interdisciplinary approach to environmental education
- substantial subject-matter expertise
- understanding of the human social and cultural dimensions of environmental issues
- understanding of leadership principles
The program is offered by the University’s Center for Environmental Education and Leadership, a collaboration of the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), and the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
Students may also choose to pursue advanced study in this field through an interdisciplinary master of science (M.S.) degree offered by CFANS. For more information, contact Jennifer Welsh, 612-624-7683; e-mail: jwelsh@umn.edu; Natural Resources Science and Management Graduate Program, 301j Green Hall, 1530 Cleveland Ave N., St. Paul, MN 55108.
Admission
Admission is based on a review of the entire student profile, including the following criteria:
- bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in an appropriate area of study
- a written personal statement describing your career goals and rationale for interest in the M.Ed. program (limit two pages)
- one letter of recommendation
- relevant academic and work experience documented in résumé format
- A completed CEHD Application for Admission to M.Ed./Professional Studies Programs, available at the college’s office of Student Services, 150 Williamson Hall, 231 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu; or on the Web.
Completion of the following prerequisite courses is required (usually completed at the undergraduate level):
- college algebra or equivalent
- one term inorganic chemistry or equivalent
- one year general introductory biology or equivalent
Applications are reviewed 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 these dates:
- November 1—spring semester admission
- March 1—summer session admission
- July —fall semester admission
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 six graduate semester credits from fully accredited institutions other than the University of Minnesota for students enrolled at the University’s Twin Cities campus; up to nine graduate semester credits for students enrolled at the University’s Rochester campus
- 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. Workshop credits are usually not accepted for transfer to C&I programs. Contact the program’s faculty adviser for more information.
After admission, transfer credits must be preapproved by the faculty adviser. Transfer coursework must:
- be taken at an accredited institution
- be graduate level
- be taught by graduate faculty
- fit the overall design and focus of the M.Ed. program
- be approved by the faculty adviser
M.Ed. degree requirements
All courses, except core courses, must be preapproved by the faculty adviser. Students are required to meet with the faculty adviser in the first term. Students must complete at least 30 semester credits in the following areas:
Core courses (9 cr)
- CI 5537—Principles of Environmental Education (3 cr)
- A critical view of environmental education—its history, curricula, teaching and assessment methods, and development of teaching unit plans.
- CI 5747—Global and Environmental Education: Content and Practice (3 cr)
- Designed to prepare educators with the knowledge and skills necessary for leadership roles in global environmental education.
- ESPM 5202—Environmental Conflict Management, Leadership, and Planning (3 cr)
- Negotiation of natural resource management issues. Use of collaborative planning. Case study approach to conflict management, strategic planning, and building leadership qualities. Emphasizes analytical concepts, techniques, and skills.
Elective courses (12-14 cr)
- Coursework may be selected from graduate-level courses (5xxx
and above) at the University of Minnesota. In consultation with
their adviser, students choose from a broad list of courses
in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, education,
natural resources, agriculture, and other fields. Electives
should be chosen to achieve the following goals:
- strengthen areas of academic weakness
- ensure a balance across the natural and social sciences, education, and leadership
- extend depth of understanding in academic areas as specified by student
- accommodate individual student interests and needs
Internship (2-4 cr)
- CI 5190—Directed Individual Study in Curriculum and Instruction
- The internship experience allows students to apply learning to a real-life context, such as an environmental learning center, a government agency (e.g., University of Minnesota Extension Service, the state Department of Natural Resources), public or private schools, business, industry, or a nongovernmental agency. International internships or learning experiences are encouraged.
- The internship must fit the following criteria:
- accomplishes a specific goal
- provides substantive engagement in environmental education
- does not repeat a previous experience
Research methods, evaluation, or statistics (3-6 cr)
- At least one course, chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser, intended to provide skills or knowledge essential to the required research project.
Research project and paper (2-4 cr)
- CI 5186—School-Related Projects To be taken at end of M.Ed. program; consult with faculty adviser.
- Students are expected to conduct a research evaluation project, and prepare a professional paper from their project.
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 complete a CEHD First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students packet [.pdf]. Packets are also available at the college’s office of Student Services, 360 Education Sciences Building, 56 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-3339; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.
Core faculty
For more program information, see the C&I Web site or contact faculty members listed below:
Stephan P. Carlson, associate professor
Center for 4-H Youth Development, University of Minnesota Extension
Service
Ph.D., Michigan State University
612-624-8186; e-mail: carls009@umn.edu
Fred Finley, associate professor
Department of Curriculum & Instruction, CEHD
Ph.D., Michigan State University
612-625-1362; e-mail: finle001@umn.edu
Kristen C. Nelson, assistant professor
Department of Forest Resources, CFANS
Ph.D., University of Michigan
612-624-1277; e-mail: knelson@forestry.umn.edu
Elementary school environmental education
Roger Johnson, professor Department of Curriculum & Instruction,
CEHD
Ed.D., University of California-Berkeley
612-624-7031; e-mail: johns009@umn.edu
Updated October 2008