M.Ed. in Family Education
This program will ground you in a strengths-based approach to family education and prepare you to support, educate, and build community for parents and families navigating today’s changing world.
In this degree program you will:
- Deepen your knowledge of family systems theory; diversity, equity, and inclusion principles; parent-child relationships; curriculum development; group facilitation skills; and program evaluation.
- Choose a supporting focus related to your specific interests, such as mindfulness and spirituality, early childhood development, educational processes, working with diverse populations, sexuality, families dealing with addiction, or administration.
- Develop graduate level skills to design, deliver, and evaluate family-focused programs for adult learners in settings such as health care, social service agencies, and faith-based organizations in Minnesota and around the world.
- Build on your understanding of parent/family education core concepts to improve existing adult/family education programs or create your own parent and family education program.
Students have the option to fulfill requirements for a parent educator license or parent education certificate (additional application and fees required) as part of this degree.
The M.Ed. in Family Education is a professional studies terminal degree for family education practitioners and is not recommended for students who intend to pursue a research degree (i.e. PhD).
More information
Interested in preparing for a teaching license while earning your M.Ed? Learn more about the M.Ed. with Parent and Family Education License program.
The Parent and Family Education Program Manual has information about licensure, online coursework, tuition and financial aid, and more.
Program requirements
The M.Ed. in Family Education requires a total of 30 credits (15 credits of Parent and Family Education coursework and 15 elective credits) and the completion of a capstone interview at the end of the program.
The Parent and Family Ed Program Manual’s Course Planning tab has detailed course planning information or review the program checklist (PDF).
Application deadlines
- March 1 for fall admission
- October 1 for spring admission
Begin your application
If you have any questions, please e-mail famed@umn.edu, or call 612-625-3116.
Financing your education
Visit OneStop Student Services: Finances for information on tuition, fees, and financial aid.
Visit Assistantships, Fellowships, & Other Funding for more information on funding opportunities through FSoS, CEHD, and UMN.
Admissions
Admission to the Department of Family Social Science (FSoS) is based on a review of multiple sources of information:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. academic institution or foreign equivalent, evidence of strong academic preparation, and the ability and desire to perform graduate level scholarship.
- Alignment of applicant's professional goals with the Parent and Family Education program's goals to prepare practitioners to design, deliver, and evaluate educational programs for parents and families.
- Unique contributions applicant would make to FSoS values, including social relevance, collaboration, inclusiveness, excellence, innovation, and diversity.