Course Descriptions

Adult Education Theory & Practice

This course will explore theories of adult development, current research on adult learners, ways of assessing the needs and interests of adult learners, and ways of creating thriving environments for adult learners. Students will examine and critique theory in relation to experience and social contexts. Central to the course is the examination of varied cultural perspectives on adult learning theory and practice.

Foundations of Higher Education

This course considers the historical background and foundations of higher education. This course also explores the organization of higher education and the evolving role of student affairs and student success to examine these issues both in terms of their contemporary implications for higher education and from the historical and philosophical perspectives.

Institutional Types in Higher Education

This course distinguishes higher education institutions across the varying classifications of colleges and universities. Distinctive institutions will be explored with a particular emphasis on broadly accessible institutions and federally designated minority serving institutions. Professional leadership contexts will also be highlighted within each of these institution types.

Law & Policy in Adult & Higher Education

Students will explore basic legal concepts and their application to higher education, primarily through case briefs and discussion. Topics covered in this course will include due process mandates, non-discrimination in educational programs, mental health issues and the law, and academic freedom. Students will become familiar with relevant statutes, regulations, and judicial precedent that impacts higher education.

Organization & Administration of Higher Education

This course will examine the organization, administration, and policies associated with post-secondary institutions in the United States. Using an organizational lens, this course will analyze the university as an integrated and complex system, rather than as mutually exclusive divisions, departments, or functions. By applying organizational theory, students will also explore how institutions develop policy and interact with various levels of federal, state, professional, and stakeholder accountability.

Professional Development Seminar in Adult & Higher Education

This capstone course examines various contemporary issues in higher education and student affairs administration. Students will identify and examine salient issues through the completion of a research paper and professional development plan. Additional issues will explore careers in higher education, professional involvement, and career development issues.

Program Evaluation & Assessment in Adult & Higher Education

This course is designed to introduce fundamental concepts and practices of comprehensive assessment and program evaluation in adult and higher education settings. Students will gain knowledge on student learning and development outcomes, program learning outcomes, and the Council for the Advancement of Standards.

Interpreting and Applying Educational Research

This course addresses the fundamentals of evaluating and designing educational research with an emphasis on applied and action research. Types of research, their advantages and disadvantages, the research process and the similarities and differences between action research and formal quantitative and qualitative research will be examined. Use of scholarly descriptive and inferential statistics to address research questions will be examined. Additionally, scholarly databases will be examined. Critique of research tailored to cultural responsiveness, professional development, learning and instruction will help to evaluate how data impacts students, current policy and practices, assessment, operations, and management for the development of equitable and inclusive school mission and visions, stimulating long-lasting improvement. Participants will develop an action research proposal.

Social Justice in Adult & Higher Education

This course provides an introduction to diversity, inclusion, and belonging issues in higher education. Explores critical historic and contemporary topics and issues related to ability, social identity, ethnicity, class, and gender. Institutional policies and organizational commitment, campus stakeholders, and the role of community engagement are centered to present comprehensive perspectives about the contributions of diversity to society and higher education.

Theories of Adult & College Student Development

This course examines major theories and models related to adult and college student development in university contexts. Theories related to identity, emotional, and cultural identity as well as college impact models are included in a broad exploration of the developmental impact of the college experience on its students.

Student Retention Theory & Practice

Capstone Seminar in Educational Leadership

This capstone seminar course encourages the development of application of research methods towards adult and higher education contexts. Students will identify and examine a salient or critical issue through the conceptualization of a research proposal paper. Through the authorship of this research proposal students will also apply research methods learned within the course which integrates other content across the program curriculum.