Master of Education
in Adult and Community College Education
Specialization: Adult and Continuing Professional Education
Overview
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with a specialization in Adult and Continuing Professional Education is designed for entering and experienced educators who seek to foster change in individual adults, as well as through groups, communities, organizations, and society. This program offers several unique opportunities to engage in a core body of knowledge and process, as well as advanced study in specific adult and continuing education programs and institutional settings. It also offers integration of adult education knowledge and expertise with the learner's professional experience. To meet the needs of full- and part-time students, most courses are offered once a week during late afternoon or evening hours. Some courses are regularly available during summer sessions and weekends, and through distance education technologies.
This program provides a comprehensive review of adult learner characteristics, adult development, and adult learning. Participants also acquire essential adult education process skills that they can individually and institutionally tailor to a variety of settings: programming and evaluation, teaching strategies, group management, and distance education. Individuals may specialize through coursework and practica in professional practice areas of continuing education, distance education, community college teaching, cooperative extension and public service, and continuing education in the professions. The program is based on a reflective practice approach, offering practitioners opportunities to reflectively and critically integrate their professional experience with adult education knowledge and practice skills.
Individuals completing this master's program will have sufficient professional knowledge and skill for entering or advancing in select adult and continuing professional education arenas. For those individuals making a career change, internships and other professional experiences should be integrated into the program of study. The MS with a specialization in Adult and Continuing Professional Education is also available.
Course of Study
The program has a minimum requirement of 36 hours of course work. In addition, all graduate students are expected to pass the AHE technology competencies through a testing out procedure. Further information is noted on the department's technology web page.
Any course work taken prior to admission is subject to approval by the student's advisor for inclusion in the program. Within the 36 minimum hours, the following should be included:
1. Core Courses (9 hours)
*To be taken at the beginning of the program
EAC 595 - Special Topics: Foundations of Adult Education (3 hrs)
EAC 559 - The Adult Learner (3 hrs)
EAC 551 - Research in Adult and Higher Education (3 hrs) * To be taken within first year
2. Specialization (9 hours minimum)
EAC 703 - Programming Process in AHE (3 hrs)
EAC 712 - Change Process in Adult Education (3 hrs)
EAC 538 - Instructional Strategies in AHE (3 hrs)
3. Capstone (3 hours)
EAC 692 -Research Project (3 hrs)
MEd students will enroll in EAC 692 to write a comprehensive, capstone paper to be negotiated between advisor and student. The capstone will describe a platform of practice. This platform of practice must demonstrate that students are (1) knowledgeable about the foundations of the field, (2) knowledge about reflective practice, (3) capable of coherent thinking and the systematic and organized communication of ideas, and (4) able to apply the multiple areas of study in their programs to emerging issues in the field.
4. Electives (15 hours minimum)
Student may choose electives in consultation with their advisor that are consistent with the student's professional goals. Up to six hours of coursework may be taken outside of the department.
Program Completion: 36 Hours Total (minimum requirement)
For More Information
- Adult & Higher Education Handbook
- Financial Aid and Assistantships
- Course Descriptions (Link to TRACS Course Descriptions on NCSU site)
- Adult Education & Training and Development Graduate Student Association
- Higher Education Administration Graduate Student Association
- Past Curricula
- Graduate School Forms
Contact
Colleen A. Wiessner
Assistant Professor
Department of Adult and Higher Education
300G Poe Hall
Phone 919.515-6291
Fax: 919.515-6305
colleen_wiessner@ncsu.edu
last updated 1/3/08
