A total of 36 semester credits are needed to complete the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning program. Thirty (30) semester hours are completed in the twenty (20) required program weekends. The additional 6 elective/transfer credits may be transferred into the program prior to starting the program or completed during enrollment in the M.Ed. Program through the Graduate Professional Development for Educators (GPDE) course offerings.

Elective/transfer credits taken prior to starting the M.Ed. program will be considered for transfer if they meet the following criteria:

• They were taken from an accredited college or university;
• They were completed within five years from the time participation began in the learning community;
• They were taken for a grade (B- or higher is accepted); and
• They were graduate level.

Once an official transcript of these course(s) are received and approved by the program office, an unofficial transcript from the M.Ed. program will be sent directly to you. This transcript will list the course(s) accepted and the total number of credits applied towards your 6 elective/transfer credits.

Credits taken after the start of the program must be taken only through the GPDE program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota to be accepted as elective/transfer credits. Courses are offered in locations convenient to learning community sites and include an assortment of educational topics and issues. You will receive a catalog of course offerings in the fall, spring and summer.

If you enter the program needing less than 3 elective/transfer credits, you may enroll in any GPDE course offerings. If you enter the program needing 3 or more elective/transfer credits, you will need to enroll in a Core GPDE course (GPDE 5000-5005). Theses courses are specifically designed to support and reinforce key areas for growth in teacher professional development and are central to the M.Ed. program vision and concepts.

Listed below are the course prefixes, titles and requirements to provide further clarification as to what courses you may take prior to the start of the program and during enrollment in the program.

GPDE (Graduate Professional Development for Educators)

• These courses will be accepted towards your elective/transfer credits prior to the start of the M.Ed. program and during enrollment in the M.Ed. program.

GEPP (Graduate Education Program Performance Learning Systems-PLS)

• These courses will be accepted towards your elective/transfer credits prior to the start of the M.Ed. program. These courses will not be accepted as elective/transfer credits if taken during enrollment in the M.Ed. program.

GEPO (Graduate Education Programs-Origins/Responsive Classroom)

• These courses will be accepted towards your elective/transfer credits prior to the start of the M.Ed. program and during enrollment in the M.Ed. program.

GPDI (Graduate Professional Development Initiatives)

• These courses are offered in collaboration with school districts and will be accepted towards your elective/transfer credits prior to the start of the M.Ed. program and during enrollment in the M.Ed. program.

EDRD 6000-6006 (K-12 Reading Teacher Licensure Program)

• These courses will be accepted towards your elective/transfer credits prior to the start of the M.Ed. program and during enrollment in the M.Ed. program. Any learner enrolled in both programs will have the core credit requirement waived.

If you have any questions regarding the elective/transfer credit policy, please contact the M.Ed. Program Office at 1-800-273-6075.