Learning technologies
Master of education/professional studies
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies program in learning technologies is designed for professionals interested in using technology in their organizations (especially K-12 and college educators, new media designers, and corporate trainers).
This graduate-level, practitioner-based program also accommodates students interested in using technology to develop instructional materials for use in a wide range of educational and training contexts.
Several program options are available in this field of study:
- M.Ed./professional studies degree (30 credits)
- one of three related Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) certificates (12 credits each)
Because TEL certificate requirements are incorporated into the M.Ed. program, students may earn a certificate while earning the M.Ed. degree. However, students can earn the certificate separately.
Programs are offered by the Department of Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Courses are offered at the University of Minnesota campus at a variety of times, including late afternoons and Saturdays. Courses are also offered during the summer and, occasionally, at off-campus sites.
M.Ed. degree
The M.Ed. program examines the uses of technology in a variety of educational settings. The program focuses on three distinct areas of study:
- K-12 technology integration
- Multimedia design and development
- Online distance learning
The K-12 technology integration focus area emphasizes the uses of technology in educational settings. The multimedia design and development focus area emphasizes design and production of electronic materials for use in education and training contexts. The online distance learning focus area emphasizes the design, development, pedagogy, and evaluation of online distance learning environments.
The program is flexible and can be tailored to accommodate individual needs. With guidance from faculty advisers, students complete 30 semester credits of work in four areas: a core academic program in education (9-11 credits); courses in the three technology focus areas (12 credits); a College course (3 credits); and elective coursework (4-6 credits) related to the use of technology in educational settings. As part of their core program, students complete an internship or technology-related project exploring a problem, issue, or topic identified by the student in collaboration with the faculty adviser.
Certificates
Students can also earn one of three 12-credit Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) certificates:
- K-12 technology integration
- Multimedia design and development
- Online distance learning
Information on these and other CEHD certificate programs is 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.
M.Ed. admission requirements
Admission requirements to this M.Ed./professional studies program include the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A 2.80 minimum GPA
- 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 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—spring semester admission
- March 1—summer session admission
- July 1—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.
M.Ed. program curriculum
Students must complete at least 30 semester credits of core requirements, College requirement, electives, and coursework for one of three focus areas. For more details, see the chart of Requirements for M.Ed. Degree in Learning Technologies.
After completing CI 5177—Practical Research and a majority of the required and elective coursework, students complete CI 5190, an internship or technology-related project, under the guidance of the adviser.
Students should submit the CEHD Application for M.Ed. Degree and/or Certificate and their completed degree program form at the time they register for CI 5190 (See program completion page).
Core requirements (9-11 credits)
Students in all three focus areas must complete the following core requirements totaling 9 credits:
- CI 5331—Introduction to Learning Technologies (3 cr)
- CI 5177—Practical Research (3 cr)
To be taken toward end of M.Ed. program; consult with faculty adviser. - CI 5190—Directed Individual Study in Curriculum and Instruction
(3 cr)
To be taken after CI 5177; consult with faculty adviser.
In addition, students in the K-12 technology integration focus area must complete the following coursework totaling 2 credits:
- CI 5342—School Technology Planning (1 cr)
- EDPA 5310—Data-Driven Decision Making I (1 cr)
College requirement (3 credits)
Students pursuing the multimedia design and development focus area must complete three credits of EPSY-designated coursework at the 5xxx-level or higher (these must be learning and cognition or adult education courses). Students in the K-12 technology integration and online distance learning focus areas must complete CI 5155.
Elective coursework (4-6 credits)
Students in the multimedia design and development and online distance learning focus areas must complete six credits of coursework related to technology use or education (course selection must be approved by adviser). Students in the K-12 technology integration focus area must complete four credits of coursework.
Focus area coursework (12 credits)
Students must complete at least 12 credits of coursework corresponding to one of the two focus areas in the following list:
Multimedia design and development focus area (12 cr)
- CI 5362—Introduction to Educational Multimedia (3 cr)
- CI 5363—Introduction to Multimedia Development (3 cr)
- CI 5336— Planning for Multimedia Design and Development (3 cr)
- CI 5367—Interactive Multimedia Instruction (3 cr)
K-12 technology integration focus area (12 cr)
- CI 5337—Planning for K-12 Technology Design and Integration (3 cr)
- CI 5344—Facilitating Technology Integration in Classrooms I (1 cr)
- CI 5345—Facilitating Technology Integration in Classrooms II (1 cr)
- CI 5346—Staff Technology Development and Support (1 cr)
- CI 5351—Technology Tools for Educators (3 cr)
- CI 5361—Integrating the Internet into K-12 Schools for Learning, Instruction, and Professional Development (3 cr)
Online distance learning focus area (12 cr)
- CI 5321—Foundations of Distance Education (3 cr)
- CI 5323—Online Learning Communities (3 cr)
- CI 5325—Designing and Developing Online Distance Learning (3 cr)
- CI 5327—Designing Online Adventure Learning (3 cr)
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota’s 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
For more program information, see the C&I Web site or contact faculty members listed below:
Aaron Doering,
instructor
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
612-625-1073; e-mail: adoering@umn.edu
Updated October 2005