MLTD Handbook

Introduction and Program Milestones

This Handbook is designed to provide masters students in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) information about graduate programs and procedures. The Handbook augments and is not a substitute for other sources of information. The information in this handbook and other University catalogs, publications, or announcements is subject to change without notice. University offices can provide current information about possible changes.

Master of Learning and Talent Development

The Master of Learning and Talent Development is an entirely online graduate degree that prepares you to lead training and development in organizations, assess when various development strategies are needed, and implement and evaluate solutions for organizational change. The program is classified as  “Plan C” (coursework only) Master’s program, meaning that any capstone activities will take place within the framework of regular courses. The total number of credits needed to complete the master’s degree is 33 or more semester credits. The program curriculum includes 11 defined courses offered in asynchronous format. 

In the asynchronous modality, courses are offered entirely online, with students participating on their own time each semester. 

Program Milestones

Step 1: Taking Courses/Credits

• Take the 11 courses defined in the MLTD Curriculum. 

• MLTD program students are not allowed to enroll in graduate minors.

• All students must register for at least one course or credit every Fall Semester and every Spring Semester. Students who do not register in the Fall or Spring Semester will be automatically dropped from the program and will need to apply for readmission if they wish to return. Note that re-admission is never guaranteed. 

• Students can discuss with their advisors about the possibility of transferring credits to their programs. MLTD students may transfer up to 9 semester credits of coursework from another graduate degree program, observing the University and College transfer credit policy.

• Courses taken outside of the MLTD Curriculum or in different modalities (in-person, synchronous, hybrid) require approval from the student's advisor to be counted towards graduation requirements. 

• Students should consult with their advisors before choosing a pass/fail grading option (designated "S/N" for satisfactory / not satisfactory) for courses that allow either letter grades or S/N grades. 

• Students are permitted to take additional courses or credits beyond the required ones. 

• All MLTD course requirements must be completed in five calendar years from the start of the program.

Step 2: Completion of the Degree

• • Complete 33 credits of coursework with a passing grade C+ or above

  • Submit their Graduate School Application for Degree form online by the first day of the intended month of graduation and complete all program requirements by the last day of the month of graduation.

  • Review the university’s Graduation Steps page to understand all steps to graduation after completing coursework.

  • Commencement is a ceremony and celebration of students' accomplishments. The commencement ceremony for the College of Education and Human Development is held once a year, in the late spring. It is the only commencement ceremony held for CEHD advanced degree candidates. Students may participate in Commencement if they will officially graduate in the same calendar year as the ceremony. Any questions about whether student participation in Commencement is appropriate should be directed to the student’s advisor and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.

The faculty and staff of OLPD look forward to celebrating with you at commencement and your final graduation!

Additional Important Information: 

Including Transfer Credits in Your Degree Program

• Students should discuss with their advisors the possible use of transfer credits in their programs.

• With the approval of the advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the College of Education and Human Development, MLTD students may transfer up to 9 semester credits of coursework from another graduate degree program to the master's program. Such coursework must be from an accredited US institution or an international equivalent graduate institution. The credits earned must:

1. meet the criteria presented in the Graduate Education Catalog,

2. closely match the planned program emphasis, and

3. be approved by the advisor

• Credits are transferred by listing the courses on the Program Planning Sheet and getting the advisor's approval. Credits not accepted as part of a student's Graduate Planning and Audit System (GPAS) form cannot be transferred to the University of Minnesota graduate transcript.

Graduate Education Policy on Transfer Credits

Some of the general Graduate School rules that apply to transfer of credits are listed below. For further requirements and information, students should check the Graduate Education Catalog. 

• Graduate-level courses taken before the award of the baccalaureate degree typically cannot be transferred.

• Graduate-level courses appearing on an undergraduate transcript cannot be transferred into a graduate program.

• Graduate-level courses taken through the College of Continuing and Professional Studies or the Masters of Liberal Studies program at the University of Minnesota are not accepted for transfer.

• The Graduate School allows a maximum of 9-semester credits taken as a non-degree graduate student. Such credits count as transfer credits. Refer to the Graduate Education Catalog for details and consult with your advisor (and, if necessary, your Program Coordinator or the Coordinator of Graduate Studies) before making assumptions about transfer credits.

• Any graduate coursework taken prior to the semester of initial MLTD program enrollment, even if they are OLPD courses, are considered transfer credits per University policy.

• Official transcripts of the transfer coursework (from institutions other than the University of Minnesota) must be submitted to the Graduate School Office of Admission if they were not submitted previously, during the admissions process.

Transferring Courses from a Quarter System

To convert quarter-based credits to a semester-based program, multiply the number of quarter credits by .67 to obtain semester credit equivalencies.

Transferring in OLPD Coursework Taken Under Prior Designators

Prior to Spring 2012, OLPD courses were listed under five course designators (ADED, BIE, EDPA, HRD, and WHRE). Prior to Summer 2016, certain OLPD courses were listed under the PSTL course designator. Students transferring courses under these designators need to list them using their original designators and course numbers.

Requesting a Leave of Absence

• The University of Minnesota’s Graduate School Leave of Absence policy allows students to interrupt their enrollment for up to two years for reasons they cannot control (e.g., family emergencies, changes in employment, etc.) and return under the rules and policies in effect when they left. 

• OLPD grants leaves of absence for up to one year at a time. Leave requests must be reviewed after one year to be continued. 

• Students wishing to request a leave of absence should consult with their advisors.

Graduate School Rules provide more details and guidelines on enrollment and satisfactory academic progress for graduate programs.