Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Adult Education

From the College of Education & Human Development

• The Profession
• Delivery Format
• Certificate Completion
• Program Curriculum
• Program Planning
  
• Program Admission
  

The Profession

Adult educators are people who believe in the value of lifelong learning. They instruct adults in new subjects and help to develop and advance skills adults already have. They teach a wide variety of subjects—reading, English as a second language, computer use, foreign languages, international studies, writing, and art. Adult educators work in settings where adults go for further knowledge and life enrichment opportunities such as community schools, recreational settings, or county and state programs. Adult education is a vibrant field, fueled by expanding demand and interests, with a broad range of career possibilities in both the public and private sectors.

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Delivery Format

To accommodate the busy schedules of educators, many courses are offered evenings, Saturdays, and during the summer.

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Certificate Completion

Once the appropriate certificate courses are completed, students submit a transcript to Dr. Shari Peterson. Certificates will be awarded once a year at a recognition ceremony, usually in April. Awardees need not be present to receive their certificates.

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Program Curriculum

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Adult Education consists of 14 semester credits, including a field experience in adult education. Four courses are required, along with one elective, for completion of the certificate program. Students should consult an adviser before registering for coursework.

Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.

Core Requirements:

• AdEd/HRD 5001: Survey of HRD and Adult Education (3 credits)
• AdEd 5101: Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
• AdEd 5201: Perspectives of Adult Learning and Development (3 credits)
• AdEd 5196: Field Experience in Adult Education (3 credits)

Electives:

• The remaining elective credits can be selected from an AdEd 5000-level elective (3 credits) or HRD 5301 Organization Development (3 credits).

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Program Planning

Use the University Certificate Planning Sheet located on the Twin Cities website to help plan your program.

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Program Admission

STEP 1

Meet with University of Minnesota Rochester advisor Joseph Marchesani, Program Director for Education and Human Resource Development. To schedule an appointment, contact him at 507-280-2819 or 507-280-2829; e-mail march027@umn.edu.

STEP 2

Determine certificate requirements—the application process is different according to the individual student description (see list below).

• All students pursuing a degree in adult education will complete the requirements for a certificate in adult education. Students from other programs need only to complete the certificate courses noted in the coursework section.
• Students not already admitted to the University and who do not wish to apply for a degree program will register as "non-degree" for day classes.
• All students with a bachelor's degree, and those without a bachelor's degree who are seeking a university certificate, may register as a non-degree seeking student through the College of Education and Human Development. This information is located on the Twin Cities website at http://cehd.umn.edu/students/non-degree.html.

STEP 3

Admission is open to degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. Interested students must complete a Certificate Application.

First-Time Registration for Non-Degree-Seeking Students:
Students who want to begin certificate coursework before admission to the University of Minnesota must complete a First-Time Registration for Non-Degree-Seeking Students packet. This form is located on the Twin Cities website at http://cehd.umn.edu/students/non-degree.html.

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