Parent and family education programs
Parenting in the modern world presents unique advantages and challenges that past generations experienced very differently. A global pandemic, financial instability, and increasing health and child care costs are just some of the larger social issues that parents, families and caregivers grapple with while raising children. In addition, racial, social, and health injustices, historical and systemic racism and other intersectional inequities further impact the lived experiences of today’s caregivers and their communities, which in turn influence childhood development and parenting practices.
But, families were never meant to do this alone! The parent and family education program prepares professionals to support, educate and build community for today’s parents and families as they navigate today’s changing world.
The parent and family education program is the only fully online program in the state of Minnesota and one of the leading parent and family education licensure programs in the nation.
Conceptual Framework
The Parent and Family Education program rests on three interrelated pillars: Content related to family systems, parent-child relationships, and adult and child development; Contexts of family development, including the social, historical, environmental, cultural, and racial systems and institutions that influence them; and, Teaching Practice focused on facilitation, relationships, reflective practice, and professional ethics. Underlying these pillars are the foundational principles of inclusive pedagogy, strength-based approach, reflective and responsive practice, equity with excellence, research and theory based best-practices, critical thinking, and cultural humility. Read more about our Conceptual Framework in the program handbook.
- Explore our programs
- Master's of education in family education
- Master's of education in family education with parent and family education teaching license
- Parent education certificate
- Parent and family education teaching license
Explore our programs
Have you always wanted to work with families in your community? Do you want to support parents and their children as they journey through parenthood? Have you heard about or participated in a district Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program and want to see yourself represented in the educational profession? The parent and family education program prepares professionals to support, educate and build community for today’s parents and families as they navigate today’s changing world. Our fully online programs infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion principles throughout our research-based curriculum. Class activities and assignments allow you to connect with colleagues as you apply the concepts to your ongoing work.
Our graduates go on to become licensed ECFE parent educators, home visitors, and certified parent and family educators working in health care, social service, non-profits, county agencies, religious settings, and beyond. Find which program is best for you!
Unsure which program is right for you? Learn more about all of our program track options in the Parent and Family Education Program Manual. Combining programs may require multiple applications and application fees.
Paying for your education
Scholarships for parent and family education students are typically awarded once or twice per year and are highly competitive. To learn more information about application deadlines and eligibility requirements visit the FSoS departmental fellowships, scholarships and awards page or reach out to Maggie Beaupre DeYoung, Parent and Family Education Advisor, at famed@umn.edu. Many of the award opportunities listed require students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
In addition, the parent and family education team has identified potential funding sources outside of the University of Minnesota, including state and private programs designed to support educators. Learn more about them at the External Funding Resources page.
As a program we are committed to providing accessible opportunities for students to receive financial assistance for the cost of tuition, books, professional development opportunities, etc. If you are experiencing financial constraints, please reach out to faculty or your adviser. We are here to help.
Faculty and staff contacts
Parent and family education program team:
Shannon Rader, Director of Parent and Family Education Programs & Licensure Program Lead, rade0081@umn.edu
Jennifer George, Assistant Professor, georg922@umn.edu
Maggie Beaupre DeYoung, Parent and Family Education Advisor, famed@umn.edu
Family social science leadership
Stacey Horn, Department Head and Professor, sshorn@umn.edu
Catherine Solheim, Director of Graduate Studies and Professor, csolheim@umn.edu
Our program is part of a vibrant and growing family social science department with diverse faculty and research that focuses on disciplines including parent-child interaction, family therapy, traumatic stress and resilience in families, family financial capital, sexual and gender in close relationships, technology, immigrant and refugee families, and LGBTQ+ families.
Our program is committed to preparing socially and culturally competent educators who can work with and support ALL families. To learn more about the importance of this commitment, see our diversity, equity and inclusion statement.