M.A. with Specialization in Adult Education
The graduate program in adult education (AdEd),
a specialized academic area within the Department of Work and Human
Resource Education (WHRE), prepares individuals to work with adults
in a variety of roles, such as program developers, teachers, advisers,
administrators, and managers, in a variety of formal and informal
settings, such as educational institutions, business and industry,
community agencies, health care organizations, continuing and professional
education, and adult basic education. We define adult education
as a process whereby persons whose major social roles are characteristic
of adult status undertake systematic and sustained learning activities
for the purpose of bringing about changes in knowledge, attitudes,
values, or skills. The adult education specialization provides a
foundation of knowledge about the field, particularly regarding
the nature of adult learners and adult development.
The mission of the adult education specialization
at the University of Minnesota is to prepare leaders and scholars
of formal and informal education for adults in the workplace, family
and community. To that end, AdEd is integrated with the human resource
development (HRD) program, also a specialized academic area within
the department. Combined, the two specializations offer students
of adult education who are interested in the human resource development
field of practice an opportunity to integrate learning from both
specializations.
Who Enrolls in this Program?
Adult education attracts people who believe in the
value of lifelong learning. The program prepares professionals who
work with adults in a variety of educational, training and development,
organization development, and community settings, including those
in education, industry and business, government, and non-profit
agencies. In these settings, individuals are involved in teaching,
administration (as coordinators and managers), counseling, and program
design and evaluation. In addition, adult education students may
choose program options to reflect specific interests, such as adult
basic education or workplace literacy.
What Will My Program Look Like?
The M.A. is offered under Plan A and Plan B. Students
in either plan complete a minimum of 30 to 34 credits of 5xxx courses,
including 14 credits in the major and 6 credits in the related field.
Plan A students also take 10 thesis credits; Plan B students complete
a 3- to 6-credit project or paper, with remaining credits taken
in either the major or related field. More information can be found
in the
Graduate
School Catalog.
How Long Will My Master's Program Take?
Attending full time, including summers, students
often can complete the degree requirements in one calendar year.
However, many students are employed full time and spread their coursework
over 2 years. All degree requirements must be completed within seven
years after starting the program.
How Does the M.A. Program Differ from the M.Ed. Program?
While the M.A. is sometimes perceived to be more
prestigious than the M.Ed., there is little programmatic evidence
available to support this conclusion. Persons with specific career
goals are encouraged to discuss options with faculty and prospective
employers to determine if there is a preference.
Admission to the M.A. degree typically requires
an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale and requires
a score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE-IMPORTANT: Changes to the GRE
Testing System). Admittance to
the M.Ed. degree requires an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.8, and
no admission test is required.
Tuition rates
differ between the Graduate School which administers the M.A. program
and the College of Education and Human Development which administers
the M.Ed.
Most of the resources of the entire University are
available to both M.A. and M.Ed. students, however applicants should
be aware that they may encounter difficulty if they attempt to register
for 8000-level courses outside of the College of Education and Human
Development (CEHD). Students who later choose to pursue a doctoral
degree at the University of Minnesota will be able to apply all
of their credits earned in a completed M.Ed. degree toward the doctoral
degree but will not be able to use their M.Ed. degree to meet residency
requirements. On the other hand, M.A. students typically earn four
residency units. From a practical perspective, this difference appears
to have minimal impact on students.
How Do I Apply?
The application process involves the following steps:
-
Obtain and complete the proper admission application
form from the Graduate School at
www.grad.umn.edu/admissions.
Forms are also available from the WHRE Student Information Office
(210 VoTech Building) and offices within the department.
-
Take the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE-IMPORTANT: Changes to the GRE
Testing System) and have your scores sent to the University of Minnesota.
The codes to use for the GRE are Minneapolis/St. Paul, R6874,
Vocational/Technical Education 3910. Students who think they
may be interested in moving on to a doctorate are encouraged
to take the GRE.
-
Submit your application form, along with a resume
and a statement of career objectives, to the appropriate admissions
office.
Applications to the master of arts (M.A.) program
are acted on once a month by the HRD and adult education faculty.
Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks before the beginning
of the semester in which entry is desired in order to allow sufficient
time for processing. Resumes and statements of career objectives
must be included with the application materials to facilitate assignment
of faculty advisers to newly admitted students.
If admitted you admitted will receive a letter identifying
the advisers who are available to work with you. Students are encouraged
to visit with suggested advisers to select the faculty member with
whom you wish to work.
See also:
Core Faculty
Required Curriculum
Adult Education (AdEd) Course Descriptions
Admission Information for International Students
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Revised June 2005
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