Master of Education
in Adult and Community College Education
Specialization: Community College Teaching
Effective Fall, 2009 – Change of curricular requirements
Overview
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) graduate program with a specialization in Community College Teaching is a 36-41 coursework hour program with a required capstone paper. It offers a "split-degree focus," with 18 hours of coursework in an academic discipline, 21 hours in community college teaching courses, and, as desired, elective courses. The program is designed for entering and experienced community college instructors who value having both academic discipline content expertise, as well as a strong background in adult learning, instructional design and evaluation, and community college education. This program offers a unique opportunity for individuals who wish to enhance their competencies as community college faculty, and it meets the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) guidelines for faculty qualifications. The 18 hours of disciplinary coursework at the graduate level may be taken at NC State or at an accredited institution, upon departmental and Graduate School approval. Up to a total of 18 hours of coursework may be transferred into the degree and will include disciplinary courses and AHE courses taken prior to admission. This program is currently offered in a hybrid mode, with face to face courses for full and part-time students as once a week course meeting scheduled during late afternoon or evening hours. Some courses are offered only on-line. As of Fall, 2010, the program has made a request to the Graduate School to provide both a hybrid program (40% courses on line and 60% of courses face to face, with all core courses offered online) or a program that would be a totally online program (100% internet based). Please speak with an advisor for further information. In the MS with a specialization in Community College Teaching (specialization with thesis focus) is also available.
See the following links for more information about the Master of Adult and Community College Education Specialization in Community College Teaching:
Faculty Opportunities in Community Colleges
Throughout the nation as well as in North Carolina, community colleges have a growing need for qualified community college faculty. Projections suggest a 40% retirement and turnover rate in the next five years. Because there is no certification or licensure for community college instructors, desirable qualifications and availability of positions will vary from institution to institution. Under SACS accreditation standards, North Carolina Community Colleges are required to hire academic faculty with a minimum of 18 hours of an academic discipline. We advise you to speak to the Dean of Instruction and the coordinator in your disciplinary area specialization at your targeted community college regarding their desired qualifications, the availability of full-time or part-time positions in your targeted academic specialization, and preferences for instructional technology background. Please refer to the North Carolina Community College System website: http://www.ncccs.cc.nc.us/Personnel/jobs.htm. You may also meet individually with these community colleges regarding current and future job openings, as not all positions are posted on the NCCCS website. The NCCCS website also provides direct links to each of the 59 North Carolina Community Colleges' websites.
Course of Study
The MEd program reflects a minimum requirement of 36 hours of course work, including a capstone paper. NC State University allows up to 18 hours of coursework to be transferred in from other institutions, but this transfer must have the student's advisor approval and fit into the specialization of the curriculum (which is at a minimum of 15 hours). If you wish to apply NCSU graduate hours to the program, please consult with your advisor for additional information and approval.
1. Core Courses (15 hours)
EAC 595(to become 545) - Foundations of Adult Education (3 hrs)
EAC 559 - The Adult Learner (3 hrs)
EAC 703 - Programming Process in AHE (3 hrs)
EAC 560 – Assessment and Evaluation of Adult Education (3 hrs)
EAC 538 - Instructional Strategies in AHE (3 hrs)
2. Specialization (15-18 hours) - This specialization would be a specific academic focus.
To meet SACS requirements, students will need 18 hours of content-specific coursework. In addition, students with insufficient teaching and community college experiences, after consultation with their advisor, may take:
EAC 685 Supervised Teaching (3 hrs) (for those with little or no experience in community college teaching)
EAC 700 Community College and Two-Year Postsecondary Education (3 hrs)
3. Research and Capstone (6 hours)
EAC 551 - Research in Adult and Higher Education (3 hrs) * To be taken within first year
EAC 692 -Research Project (3 hrs)MEd students will enroll in EAC 692 to write a comprehensive, capstone project 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.
Program Completion: 36- 45 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
- Departmental Forms
- Graduate School Forms
Contact
Dr. Tuere Bowles
Assistant Professor
Department of Adult and Higher Education
Office: 310-C Poe Hall
Phone: 919-513-4871
Fax: 919-515-6305
tuere_bowles@ncsu.edu
