Master of Arts in Work and Human Resource Education
(Specialization in Adult Education)

From the University of Minnesota Graduate School

• The Profession
• Delivery Format
• Program Curriculum
• Program Planning
• Admission Information 

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

The majority of the required coursework for the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Adult Education program is available on the Rochester campus. To accommodate the busy schedules of educators, many courses are offered evenings, Saturdays, and during the summer.

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Program Curriculum

The M.A. in Adult Education program emphasizes research and theory culminating in a written thesis (Plan A) or extensive research project or paper (Plan B). There are no language requirements. The final exam is oral. Students have seven years to complete their degree beginning with the first coursework used in the program, and must maintain a 2.80 overall GPA.

PLAN A
Complete a minimum of 34 credits of: 5000 level courses, including 14 credits in the major, 6 credits in the related field, 10 thesis credits and electives as needed.

Core Requirements:

• AdEd/HRD 5001: Survey of Human Resource Development and Adult Education (3 credits)
• WCFE 8915: Ethical Responsibility in Research (1 credit)
• AdEd 5101: Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
• AdEd 5102: Perspectives of Adult Learning and Development (3 credits)
• AdEd 5103: Designing the Adult Education Program (3 credits)
• HRD 5301: Organization Development (3 credits)
  and
• One of the following (minimum of 3 credits):
  • WCFE 5901: Using Work, Community, and Family Education Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8911: Foundations of Inquiry (2 credits)
  • WCFE 8912: Quantitative Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8913: Interpretive Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8914: Critical Science Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)

Thesis:

• 10 credits

Electives:

• As needed to complete 34 credits

PLAN B
Complete a minimum of 30 credits of 5000 level courses, including 14 credits in the major, 6 credits in the related field, a 3- to 6-credit project or paper with remaining credits taken in either the major or related field, and electives as needed.

Core Requirements:

• AdEd/HRD 5001: Survey of Human Resource Development and Adult Education (3 credits)
• WCFE 8915: Ethical Responsibility in Research (1 credit)
• AdEd 5101: Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
• AdEd 5102: Perspectives of Adult Learning and Development (3 credits)
• AdEd 5103: Designing the Adult Education Program (3 credits)
• HRD 5301: Organization Development (3 credits)
  and
• One of the following (minimum of 3 credits):
  • WCFE 5901: Using Work, Community, and Family Education Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8911: Foundations of Inquiry (2 credits)
  • WCFE 8912: Quantitative Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8913: Interpretive Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8914: Critical Science Research in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)

Project or Paper:

• WCFE 5993:Directed Study in Work, Community, and Family Education (3 to 6 credits)

Electives:

• As needed to complete 34 credits

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Program Planning

The links below are available to help plan your program. 

• Detailed information about Plan A and Plan B is available in the University of Minnesota Graduate School Catalog.
• Use the Master of Arts Planning Sheet to help plan your program.

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Admission Information

Prospective master's degree students generally have completed an undergraduate degree or extensive coursework in the specialization area.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• An acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Admission Process

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

Apply to the Graduate School online at http://www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/apply_online.html.

Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply for admission well in advance of the term in which they wish to enter the Graduate School (but no more than one year in advance of the proposed entry date). The Graduate School application, complete with all required materials, must be submitted by the following deadlines.

• Fall semester - June 15
• Spring semester - October 15
• Summer session - March 15

Deadlines that fall on a holiday or weekend will be extended through the next regular workday.

Many major fields have established deadlines earlier than those listed above and also require additional application and supporting materials. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain information about those deadlines and requirements from the director of graduate studies for the proposed major.

Degree Requirements and Transfer of Credits
Further information about pursuing a master's degree from the University of Minnesota, along with degree requirements and transfer of credit, can be found on the Graduate School Catalog website.

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