Adult education MEd
in Organizational Leadership, Policy and DevelopmentOur world insists on staying informed, adapting to new technology, and adjusting to ever changing social norms. As we age, we continue to learn new information and to change our behavior to better connect with others. Adult Education is the study and practice of understanding how adult learners acquire new knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to interact with our world.
With a Master’s of Education in Adult Education (AdEd) you will be prepared to design and implement a range of effective curricula and programming for adult learners. You will have a sophisticated understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities adult learners face in educational growth, professional development, and personal enrichment. You might help immigrants, refugees, and other displaced people make sense of their new environments, make a difference in the lives of adults and out-of-school youth who struggle with reading, writing, and numeracy, or consult on best practices for employee training and development programs.
Benefits
M.Ed. students in Adult Education will have the ability to:
- Design, deliver, evaluate, and improve adult education programs for a range of industries and purposes.
- Anticipate needs for and calibrate adult education through organizational change.
- Negotiate and balance the needs of organizations and their stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes.
- Apply research driven strategies and techniques to improve program efficiency and effectiveness.
Coursework
Required courses
- OLPD 5201—Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 cr)
- OLPD 5202—Perspectives of Adult Learning and Development (3 cr)
- OLPD 5204—Designing the Adult Education Program (3 cr)
- OLPD 5296—Field Experience in Adult Education (3 cr required; no more than 6 credits count toward the program)
- OLPD 5607—Organization Development (3 cr)
- OLPD 5801—Survey: Human Resource Development and Adult Education (3 cr)
- OLPD 5819—Evaluating and Using Research in Organizations and Education (3 cr)
- One additional 3 credit Adult Education course with advisor approval
Electives
Up to 10 credits of electives courses with advisor approval to equal the 34 credits needed for this program. The appropriate elective courses may vary depending on whether the student is also pursuing a license as reflected by their optional sub-plan.
M.Ed. candidates in adult education may also add coursework from the following areas to their program:
- Adult learners, including undereducated adults
- Adult education as a field of practice and a profession
- Teaching adults
- Design of educational activities for adults
- Evaluation of educational activities for adults
- Administration or management of agencies, programs, and personnel related to adult education
- Advising and counseling adult learners
Transfer credits
A maximum of 14 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 advisor and the college. Contact the program’s faculty advisor for more information.
How to apply
Application Deadlines
Applications are due by July 1 for Fall semester start, November 1 for Spring semester start, and March 1 for Summer session start.
Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.
Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
Admission Requirements
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: Undergraduate 2.8
GRE scores: Not required and should not be submitted, as they will not be considered.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above (21 writing/19 reading)
IELTS = 6.5
Readmission
If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.
Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.
- Complete the proper online readmission application.
If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
- Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.
Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
- Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.
Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.
Individuals seeking readmission to the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.A. program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.
Detailed application instructions
Click here to access the online application for admission.
Required fields in the application for admission are: Personal Information, Application Information, Educational Background, Languages, Awards & Activities, Employment/Residence Information, Financial Support, Applicant Statements #1 & #2, Recommendation Letters (limit 2), and Resume or CV. All other fields or application materials are optional, but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Fees:
Review information about application fees here.
Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts, there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.
GRE scores are not only not required, they are not considered for applications to this program.
Statement #1, Personal Statement (required): Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person’s name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field. If you are applying for the Ph.D.—CIDE/Leadership for
Intercultural and International Education (LIIE) or the Ph.D—EPL/Executive cohort programs, indicate this in your statement as well. [Please do not exceed two pages.]
Statement #2, Diversity Statement (required): Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Statement #3: Extenuating Circumstances (optional): If your grades and/or test scores are not strong, and you would like to provide an explanation, please do so. [Limit 1200 characters.]
Two letters of recommendation (required). The strongest recommendations typically come from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work. Other recommenders, such as employers, are also acceptable.
English Language Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) Click here for more information about TOEFL Scores.
Common Ground Consortium Fellowship: If you wish to be considered for a Common Ground Consortium fellowship for African-American students indicate this by uploading your statement in the "Program Supplementary Information -Upload #1" section. The statement should briefly address the following: Given that the UMN is a public land grant institution, it is imperative that CGC scholars can both benefit personally from their membership in the program as well as further the university’s founding mission to contribute to scholarship that benefits the local and greater communities. Please describe how your participation as a CGC scholar would do the following: (a) enhance your graduate student experience, (b) prepare you for your chosen career, and (c) benefit the public.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.