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 750 (verbal and quantitative combined) with a minimum verbal score of 375 or a 30 raw score (381-386 Scaled Score) on the Miller Analogies Test is required.
- For students who have not met the testing requirements for admission into the program, but who have successfully completed twelve hours of coursework required for the program with at least a 3.5 or above GPA, the department chair may waive the testing requirement.
- The department chair will waive the testing requirement for students who have already completed a master's degree.
- 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. Must be unconditionally admitted to complete the degree program.
- All graduate students pursuing programs of study in the Department of Foundational & Graduate Studies in Education must maintain a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA. Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on a one-semester period of probation. Students failing to achieve a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the probation semester will be dropped from their respective program. Students who receive grades of "C" or below in more than two courses will be immediately dropped from his/her respective program. Any student receiving an"E" in any course will be placed on probation and no additional coursework will be accepted toward the program until the course in question is retaken with a grade of "B" or higher. Only courses in which a student earns a grade of "C" or higher may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
- In the final spring or fall semester of the prescribed program of study, and with the consent of the program advisors, students must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination (to be assessed by faculty). Students not passing the examination may retake it near the end of the following semester (at least three months must elapse between exams). If the student does not pass the second written exam, he or she can retake the exam a third and final time near the end of the following semester (after at least three months have elapsed). For this third and final attempt to complete the exam, the student has the option of taking either an oral or written exam. Students not passing the third and final exam attempt will not graduate from the program.
- Completion of the following program:
|
Sem. Hrs. |
Required Core |
12 |
EDAH 644 - Principles of Higher Education |
3 |
EDAH 647 - Principles of Adult Education |
3 |
EDF 600 - Research Methods in Education (or approved equivalent) |
3 |
EDAH 643 - Seminar in Higher Education or EDAH 688 - Seminar in Adult Education |
3 |
|
|
Electives (9 hours minimum) to be chosen from the following courses or from the Community College courses listed as a Focus Area option |
9 |
EDAH 641 - Administrative and Management Issues in Higher Education |
3 |
EDAH 642 - Student Personnel in Higher Education |
3 |
EDAH 650 - Developmental Education for Adult Students |
3 |
EDAH 651 - Human Development in Adulthood |
3 |
EDAH 653 - Program/Curriculum Development & Evaluation |
3 |
*EDAH 660 - Survey of Community College |
3 |
*EDAH 661 - The Community College Student |
3 |
*EDAH 662 - Seminar in Community College |
3 |
EDAH 680 - Selected Topics |
3 |
Area of Specialization EDAH 660, 661, 662 for Community College Area, or other areas as approved by advisor |
9 |
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED |
30 |
*Must be taken as an Area of Specialization course for those choosing Community College as an Area of Specialization
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 six hours of elective 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 written examination to be assessed faculty members from Adult and Higher Education and one optional faculty member from the student's specialty area. See # 4 listed above under the Degree Requirements section for more information detailing the exit