Environmental Education Postbaccalaureate Certificate

The Environmental Education Certificate is a 12-credit, postbaccalaureate professional development program designed for those seeking to develop or enhance their knowledge of and skills in environmental education. The certificate is grounded in the North American Association for Environmental Education's Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators and administered by the College of Education and Human Service Professions. The Certificate can be completed in one academic year (two semesters). This program can serve as a stand-alone, advanced-level training program, with completion of the 12 credits resulting in the Environmental Education Certificate.  In addition, this Certificate is designed to interface with the Master of Environmental Education Degree. Thus, some students enter the Certificate Program to gain needed foundational coursework and skills, and then apply to the Master of Environmental Education Program. If accepted, they can transfer up to 12 credits from the Certificate program toward their Master's degree, with approval of their graduate committee. Students with prior academic or professional experiences in EE tend to apply directly to the Master's program.  Because of the shared coursework, Certificate students and Master of Environmental Education graduate students participate in several classes together during their first year.

Student learning outcomes

Program Requirements

12 credits from the following, in consultation with your advisor:

• Educ 5230 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment (2-3 cr)
• EnEd 5165 Theories and Models (2 cr)
• EnEd 5315 Ops and Management (4 cr)
• EnEd 5163 Outdoor Ed Methods (3 cr) 
• EnEd 5343 - Advanced Field Interpretive Techniques (3.0 cr)
• EnEd 5625 Program Development and Eval (3 cr)
• EnEd 5850 Classroom Applications (2 cr)
• EnEd 5855 Programming with Schools and Communities (3cr) 
• EnEd 5325 Sustainability Issues Investigation(2 cr)
• EnEd 5500  ECH Nature Exp and Pedagogies (3 cr)
• Ended 5600 Place Based Education (2 cr)
• EnEd 5991 Independent Study (1-3 cr)
• EnEd 5998 Seminar (1 cr)

Tuition and Fees

Please visit the UMD One Stop Website.

General Admission Requirements

• The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 2.50.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or an equivalent degree from a recognized college or university in another country.  Satisfactorily completed at least 70 percent of college courses attempted.
• English language proficiency (see proficiency requirements for more information; international applicants who have completed 16 semester/24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited U.S. college or university are exempt from demonstrating language proficiency requirements).

Application Deadline

Applications are due February 1, with admission for the following fall semester. Applications received after February 1 may still be considered for fall admission, depending on space in the program. Applications for spring term admission may also be considered, with an application deadline of October 1. If you are seeking admission for spring term, or if you have missed the February 1 deadline for fall term admission, please contact Lynn McGraw prior to applying ([email protected]).

Application Fee

The application fee for U.S. applicants and permanent residents is $75, and $95 for international applicants.

Application Process and Materials

All application materials should be submitted directly into the University of Minnesota Graduate School’s online application system.  Your application will not be reviewed until all of the required materials are submitted successfully. Incomplete applications cannot be considered for admission. Please note that because this application system is used across the UM campuses by a diversity of graduate programs, the application has sections that may be required by other programs, but not required for your application to the EE Certificate program. Please use the instructions below to guide you in knowing which application sections to complete and which sections will remain blank.  (For example, some programs require an applicant statement on diversity, but the EE Certificate program does not. Thus, there will be some sections that would allow for uploading a document, but for our program, you leave it blank.)  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at [email protected].

EE Certificate-specific application instructions

• Program Selection: Environmental Education -  Duluth – EE Certificate
• Term Selection: Fall (if you are wanting Spring, please email us at [email protected] prior to selecting)
• Biographical Information
• Personal Background
• Academic History:  As a part of this section, you will be prompted to submit transcripts.  Upload your unofficial transcript or academic record for each college/university listed in your academic history, even if you will not receive a degree.   Please do not mail paper copies of your transcripts.  For the initial review of your application, your official transcripts are not needed.  If admitted, the University will then request official transcripts.
• Test Scores: We do not have academic test score requirements; please do not upload GRE scores.  If applicable, please review the University's minimum English Language requirements for admission and submit English Language test scores in this section of the application.
• Employment
• Materials - only the following materials are needed (you will be prompted/given the opportunity to submit other materials, but please only submit the following items):
  • Personal Statement: Please include an explanation of your interest in EE and in this Certificate program, as well as your career goals.  
  • Extenuating Circumstances Statement: This is optional, for those who would like to explain circumstances relating to prior academic performance, or other relevant extenuating circumstances that are important for us to know as we review your application.
  • Resume/CV: Please upload your resume or CV.
• Two Letters of Recommendation:  Recommendation letters should speak to your potential as a graduate-level student and EE professional. Please do not mail paper copies of recommendations; they must be submitted electronically, following the instructions provided in the application system.
• Signature: Please complete the confirmation and signature section, as instructed in the application system.
• Application Fee: After you have completed the online application, click the "Finalize Application and Pay" button and follow the credit/debit card payment instructions. The application fee for U.S. applicants and permanent residents is $75, and $95 for international applicants. Your application is fully submitted once you pay the application fee.

Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are communicated to applicants online through the admissions system. You will receive an email prompting you to log into your application to view your admission decision once it is posted.   Admission decisions are generally determined by mid to late March for applicants seeking Fall term admission.