Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education
The Adult and Higher Education graduate program is designed to develop the capacity of individuals to plan, organize, and carry through a variety of education and service programs to meet adult learners' needs in postsecondary and adult continuing education institutions. The program is flexible insofar as students may plan their programs for preparation in teaching, administration, student personnel, or developmental studies. This program is not approved for rank change for public school teachers.
Admission Requirements
- General admission to graduate study.
- Two years of relevant professional experience is advisable.
- A GRE score of 700 (verbal and quantitative) with a minimum verbal score of 350 or a 25 raw score (370-375 Scaled Score) on the Miller Analogies Test is required.
- TOEFL 525 (197 computer-based) or 74 on English Language Instruction Test of the University of Michigan, for international students.
Requirements for the Degree
- Satisfy the general degree requirements.
- If a student has not become unconditionally admitted after completing 12 graduate hours, he/she will not be allowed to register for additional hours.
- All graduate students pursuing programs of study in the Foundational & Graduate Studies in Education must maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA. Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on a one-semester period of probation. Students failing to achieve a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the probation semester will be dropped from their respective program. Any student who receives grades of "C" in more than two graduate courses will be immediately dropped from his/her respective program.
- Must be unconditionally admitted.
- Completion of the following program:
|
Sem. Hrs. |
Adult and Higher Education |
15 |
EDAH 640 - Principles of Adult and Higher Education |
3 |
EDAH 643 - Seminar in Higher Education or |
|
EDAH 688 - Seminar in Adult Education |
3 |
EDAH 651 - Human Development in Adulthood |
3 |
EDAH 653 - Program/Curriculum Development and Evaluation |
3 |
EDF 600 - Research Methods in Education |
3 |
Electives selected from the following |
6 |
EDAH 641 - Academic and Administrative Problems in Higher Ed |
3 |
EDAH 642 - Student Personnel in Higher Education |
3 |
EDAH 650 - Developmental Education for Adult Students |
3 |
Area of specialization (selected by student & Graduate Com.) |
9 |
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED |
30 |
The area of specialization that will prepare the student for their chosen career may be from courses in any one of several disciplines. For example, students interested in counseling should take courses in the counseling area.
NOTE: Students may write a thesis in lieu of six hours of course work. Also, with approval, EDAH 670 - Directed Research, EDAH 676 - Directed Study, or EDAH 678 - Internship, may be substituted for up to three hours of regular course work. The program is designed to be completed in a minimum of 30 semester hours, but based on student need, additional credit hours may be required.
Competencies Required in the Program
- Familiarity with the historical development of adult and higher education and the sponsoring organizations, institutions and agencies (EDAH 640).
- Awareness of adult education as a unique segment of the broad field of education (EDAH 640 and 688).
- Knowledge of the unique physical, psychological and social characteristics of the adult learner and implications for the teaching of adults (EDAH 651).
- Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program/curriculum development and evaluation (EDAH 653).
- Familiarity with and understanding of the experimental studies, scientific investigations and theoretical writings pertinent to adult learning (EDF 600, EDAH 651, 670, and 676).
- Understanding of program problems and personnel issues associated with providing instruction in postsecondary institutions for the adult learner (EDAH 643 and 678).
- Familiarity with the principles of organization and administration of personnel programs and services in higher education (EDAH 641 and 642).
- Understanding of the impact of under education on the society and the individual and the design of programs to address literacy problems (EDAH 650).
- Area expertise to support each student's career.
Assessment Procedures
During the final semester of study, all students complete a comprehensive oral examination administered by two faculty members from Adult and Higher Education and one optional faculty member from the student's specialty area. The oral examination usually lasts one hour and consists of questions from the committee members related to the total program of study. If the student's performance is deemed unsatisfactory, the oral examination may be repeated no sooner than two weeks after the initial examination.