Master’s of education (MEd) in early care and education

Before you begin the online application, gather the following materials:

• Unofficial transcripts: You must submit an unofficial transcript or academic record for each institution you’ve attended. International students must submit an English translation of their transcript.
• Personal statement: Provide a personal statement based on this prompt.
• Our program is a graduate-level, writing-intensive program; we place high emphasis on this written statement in the admissions process. Your statement must be written in 12-point sized font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, and must not exceed three pages. Please be sure to write professionally and describe:
  • What work or other experiences with children have influenced your interest in pursuing this program?
  • Your interest and intent in pursuing an early childhood degree that does not lead to a Minnesota state teaching license
  • Strengths and vulnerabilities that may contribute to your success as a graduate student and in your future goals
  • What kinds of work do you see yourself doing five to 10 years after you have
    completed the degree?
• Resume or CV: In your resume, highlight your work with children, classroom experience, diversity experience, and other experiences relevant to teaching and/or working with young children. Leave the employment section of the application blank.
• Two letters of recommendation: Identify and get contact information for two people who will serve as your recommenders. Recommenders should be professionals (e.g., administrators, instructors, or colleagues) who can speak to your experience working with children/youth or your commitment to educational equity.
• Application fee: $75 ($95 for international applicants). Must be paid online with credit card.

Optional materials

Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) statement: Diversity of views and experience is fundamental to the University’s mission, and the University’s faculty, staff, and students share responsibility for the collective achievement of this goal. Complete a one-page statement that describes the distinctive perspectives of life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that you would bring to the program. Describe how these perspectives or life experiences could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. Please do not exceed one page in length

Submit all materials through the University’s online application system. Please don't submit materials via mail. We cannot review your application until you've submitted all the materials listed below.

Your admissions decision will be emailed to you once your application has been reviewed, and all transcripts and credentials are authenticated by the Graduate School. Applicants are typically notified of admissions decisions four to six weeks after the application deadline for their selected term of entry. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.