FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I contact?
Review this document to see if your questions are answered.
Review the Family Social Science Programs & Degrees webpage for more information, checklists, and application instructions.
Contact Onestop Student services: (612) 624-1111 for questions related to tuition or financial aid.
Contact famed@umn.edu for program inquiries as well as specific questions related to registration and applications.
Contact the Office of Teacher Education (ote@umn.edu) for questions related to teacher licensure (e.g. applying for your license).
Contact your advisor for additional guidance.
What is the difference between the M.Ed., licensure, and certificate programs?
The M.Ed. is appropriate for students who wish to design, implement, evaluate, and work in family education programs. A license is required to teach in Minnesota's Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE program), and a certificate is most appropriate for students who wish to work in parent and family education programs outside the ECFE setting.
Program options:
M.Ed.-only: For those who already hold a teaching license in parent and family education, do not need/wish to have the option to work in ECFE, or who live outside of Minnesota and wish to pursue graduate-level preparation for working directly with or coordinating services for families. May be eligible for Federal financial aid and/or department distributed merit aid.
M.Ed. with teaching license subplan: For those needing a teaching license in parent and family education (required to work in Minnesota’s ECFE program) who also wish to pursue a Master’s degree. Most popular option because the M.Ed. may be completed with only a few additional courses beyond the licensure requirements. May be eligible for Federal financial aid.
Teaching License-only: For those needing a teaching license in parent and family education (required to work in Minnesota’s ECFE program) who do not wish to pursue a Master’s degree. More appropriate for those who already have a post-baccalaureate degree, and/or have just a few courses left to complete the teaching license. Not eligible for Federal financial aid. May be eligible for department distributed merit aid.
Certificate: Primarily for those who live outside of Minnesota who wish to pursue a credential in parent education. Can be paired with the M.Ed.; however, an additional $75 application fee will be required by the University of Minnesota. Certificate is not meant to be paired with the license. Students are asked to choose a certificate or a license. Not eligible for Federal financial aid or department distributed merit aid.
Can a student move between programs after they start?
We highly recommend that students consult their advisor before they accept their place in the program to make sure that they are enrolling in the desired program. The easiest time to move between programs is before you start. Each program has some differences which make moving between programs later more difficult. For example, a child development class that is accepted as the prerequisite for the certificate may not count if a student tries to add a MEd or shift to a license.
Is the program entirely online?
YES! The core parent and education courses are only available online. There are some on-campus options available for supplemental licensure and M.Ed. courses, but all coursework can be completed online. If non-resident students enroll in on-campus courses, their tuition will be affected.
What are the online courses like?
Online coursework is designed to meet the needs of local and distance learners in Minnesota, around the country, and the world. Each online course consists of 15 weekly modules. All students enrolled in an online course complete all modules together on the same schedule.
Students read the latest research, have opportunities to observe parent education programs and interview parents, and learn about best practices in the parent education field. In addition to online discussions, short weekly reflection papers, and other assignments, students also participate in a “live” and synchronous online chat session usually scheduled once a week. These chat sessions are 50 minutes long and are scheduled sometime between 7 pm and 9 pm Central Time.
Online courses utilize a platform called Canvas for course discussion and communication. We also use the University Library Services e-reserves so students can access many course readings online.
Tuition
How much does the M.Ed., licensure, or certificate program cost?
For graduate programs, six credits are considered full time. Most students take 3-6 credits per semester. Students currently pay the $750.00 per credit (see: https://onestop.umn.edu/finances/tuition#cehd). Because our program is on-line, out of state students may be charged the resident rate as long as they do not come to campus for any coursework.
For information about costs please visit https://onestop.umn.edu/finances/estimating-your-costs.
Does your program offer any scholarships or financial aid?
Several fellowships and awards are available through the department on a competitive basis. These fellowships are announced each spring for the following year depending upon availability; not all fellowships are offered every year. A faculty committee selects award recipients. To find out more, visit: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/current/funding.html#AMED
For more information about financial aid, contact OneStop or visit https://onestop.umn.edu/finances/receiving-financial-aid
I have questions about tuition and financial aid. Who should I contact for more information?
You should contact OneStop Student Services with questions regarding costs, tuition, fees, and financial aid. Visit their website at: http://www.onestop.umn.edu/ or contact them via email at onestop@umn.edu.
You can also call (612) 624-1111 from 8am - 4pm, Monday through Friday, or 1-800-400-8636 toll-free from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area, or (612) 626-0701 (TTY for hearing-impaired students only).
Application Questions
When can I apply?
M.Ed / M.Ed. with license / Certificate Programs:
October 1 - Spring admission
March 1 - Fall admission
License-only Program:
October 1 - Spring admission
February 1 - Summer admission
June 1 - Fall admission
How do I apply?
To apply for the M.Ed.-only or M.Ed. with teaching license programs, visit: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/programs/masters/family-ed/how-to-apply.html
To apply for the license-only, visit:http://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/programs/professional/license/how-to-apply.html
To apply for the certificate program, visit: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/programs/professional/certificate/how-to-apply.html
Non-Degree Students
Can I take courses in the Parent and Family Education program without being enrolled in the program?
You may take up to 10 credits as a non-degree seeking student and then apply those credits to your coursework once you are admitted to the program. To register as a non-degree seeking student you must fill out a non-degree registration request form, found here: https://onestop.umn.edu/sites/onestop.umn.edu/files/forms/otr026_2016.pdf
Instructor approval is required. Send completed form to famed@umn.edu or
Department of Family Social Science
Parent and Family Education Program
290 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
For more information about this process, please contact famed@umn.edu
Timelines for Programs
How long does it take to complete each program?
Completion times will vary from student to student and depends on your personal schedule and workload. Students usually take one or two 3-credit courses a semester. Full-time M.Ed. students can complete the program in 5 semesters. The certificate program can be completed in 3 semesters.
Transferring Coursework
Will any of my previous coursework transfer into these programs?
It is possible that previous coursework may apply to your program. To transfer courses into your M.Ed. degree program from another college (at UMN) or another university, you must provide a syllabus and a rationale for inclusion in your degree program. Transfer credits must have been completed in the ten years immediately preceding your application.
A maximum of ten credits total (from another University or as a non-degree-seeking student) may be transferred into your program. Consult the program to determine what courses can be counted. If you have specific questions about transferring in coursework, please contact famed@umn.edu.
Job Market
What types of positions do Parent and Family Education graduates find after completing their program?
Graduates have worked in a variety of settings including community and faith-based organizations, as well as in grant-writing, consulting, developing and implementing parent and family education programming.
The job market for licensed parent educators varies. Positions in the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) can be full-time or part-time depending on the location and need of the school district.
For more information about job opportunities in the family social science career, visit http://www.cehd.umn.edu/career/degrees/majors/family-social-science.html.
Current Students
What if the course(s) I need for fall semester are full?
First, check to see if there is a waitlist and if so, get on the waitlist. If there is not a waitlist contact famed@umn.edu. If you cannot get into the course this semester, you’ll need to adjust your plan. Contact your advisor!
I have a hold on my account and cannot register, what should I do?
First, find out what the hold is for via your MyU account page: https://www.myu.umn.edu. If your hold is associated with tuition or financial aid contact Onestop student services (see contact information above). If your hold is associated with transcripts, you must request official transcripts from all non-UMN institutions once admitted to your program. Official transcripts are to be sent to the graduate school: 309 Johnston Hall, 101 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. See your admission notice email for further instructions about submitting required transcripts.
I am planning to student teach this year, how does that work?
Please visit the Student Teaching tab to learn more.
I am having trouble applying for my teaching license, how do I get help with that?
Please visit CEHD’s “Applying for Teacher Licensure” page for instructions: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/graduate/licensing/default.html. Contact the Office of Teacher Education (OTE) with specific questions: OTE@umn.edu.
I have a question about a course I am enrolled in and cannot get in touch with the instructor, what should I do?
You can expect to receive an email from the course instructor approximately two weeks before the course begins, which will include details related to the structure of the course, access to the course site, and required textbooks. If you need to get in touch with your instructor before this time, and are having trouble, you may send a message to famed@umn.edu.