Business and industry education
Master of education/professional studies
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies program in business and industry education is flexible and can be tailored to meet individual needs. This graduate-level, practitioner-based program is offered by the Department of Work and Human Resource Education (WHRE) in the College of Education and Human Development.
Students in the business and industry education program complete at least 30 semester credits of coursework and may specialize in one of three areas:
- business and marketing education
- technology education
- vocational-technical education
Students specializing in business and marketing education or technology education may select a program of study emphasizing professional study for licensed teachers in K-12 schools.
Students specializing in vocational-technical education may select a program of study emphasizing professional development for teaching occupational skills in high schools, technical colleges, and business and industry.
Students may also specialize in professional development for occupations in business and marketing (e.g., mid-management, entrepreneurship).
In consultation with an adviser, students choose 30 semester credits of work that may include coursework, seminars, independent study, internships, workshops, school-based experiences, work- or community-based experiences, and an integrating paper. Credits are divided among four categories: general aspects, research, specialization, and electives. At least 10 credits must be earned in business and industry education.
Admission
Admission requirements include the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree with a 2.80 overall grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution
- Relevant professional experience or undergraduate major
- A written personal statement describing your career goals and rationale for interest in the M.Ed. program (limit two pages)
- A résumé
- A completed CEHD Application for Admission to M.Ed./Professional Studies Programs, available at the College’s office of Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu; or on the Web.
The College reviews applications 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 the following dates:
- November 1 for spring semester admission
- March 1 for summer session admission
- July 1 for fall semester admission
Applicants are typically notified of admission decisions four to six to 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 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 adviser and the College. Contact the program’s faculty adviser for more information.
Curriculum
Note: WHRE course designators officially changed effective January 2006. Previous course designators are listed below in brackets.
General aspects courses (6 credits)
- BIE 5325—Foundations of Industrial Education (3 cr)
or BIE 5475—Curriculum Development for Business and Marketing Education (3 cr) - BIE 5605—Critical Issues in Business and Industry (3 cr)
- (Six credits of other BIE courses must be completed if these requirements have already been met.)
Research course (3 credits)
- WHRE 5901 [WCFE 5901]—Using Research in Work and
Human Resource Education (3 cr)
or equivalent
Internship (4-6 credits)
- BIE 5596—Occupational Experience in Business and Industry
(4-6 cr)
or BIE 5796—Field-Based Projects in Business and Industry (4-6 cr)
or BIE 5597—Internship: Business and Industry Education (4-6 cr) selected with adviser approval
Specialization courses (10 credits)
Minimum of 10 credits of 5xxx courses consistent with the student’s focus area to be chosen in consultation with an adviser.
Note: Six credits of business and industry education instructional courses are required in areas such as course development, course delivery, or student assessment if the undergraduate degree is not in business and industry education or a related area.
Electives (5-7 credits)
- Selected in consultation with an adviser
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, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.
Core faculty
Judith J.
Lambrecht
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Focus: business teacher education, instructional use of business
software
612-626-8276; e-mail: jlambrec@umn.edu
Theodore Lewis
Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Focus: technology education curriculum, technology and work, workplace
literacy
612-624-4707; e-mail: lewis007@umn.edu
Gary N. McLean
Ed.D., Columbia University
International human resource development, organizational quality
and productivity, organization development
612-624-4901; e-mail: mclea002@umn.edu
James R. Stone
III
Ed.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Focus: school-to-career transition, marketing education, curriculum
integration, school-based enterprises, work-based learning
612-624-1795; e-mail: stone003@umn.edu
Updated October 2005