Master of Science
in Adult and Higher Education
Overview
The department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Adult and Higher Education with a specialization in Health Professions Education. Students in this specialization represent a variety of health care areas, thus providing an interdisciplinary learning environment. Even graduate students who do not specialize in health professions education may wish to take courses in the area. Courses in the specialization are related to health care delivery in the United States, issues and trends in health professions education, and curriculum and instruction in the health-related professions. Additionally, students take a core of courses related to adult education and the following broad content areas to complete their degree plan: evaluation, continuing professional education, program planning, organization and administration, and training and development. The MEd with a specialization in Health Professions Education is also available.
Course of Study
The M.S. program reflects a minimum requirement of 39 hours of course work including a thesis, effective August, 2002. (Students admitted prior to the 2002-2003 academic year may complete a minimum of 30 hours of coursework, including thesis.) 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. Adult Education Core (9 hours)
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 the first year
2. Specialization (12 hours)
EAC 532 - Health Care Delivery in the United States (3hrs)
EAC 535 - Curriculum and Instruction in the Health Professions (3hrs)
EAC 536 - Issues and Trends in Health Professions Education (3hrs)
EAC 708 - Continuing Education for the Professions (3hrs)
3. Research Component (6 hours minimum)
(Select one course from section A and one from B)
Statistics (3 hours minimum) (Required)
ST 507 - Statistics for Behavioral Science I, or equivalent (3 hrs)
Research Design Course (3 hours minimum)
A. Qualitative Research Courses
EAC 785 - Qualitative Research in AHE (3hrs)B. Quantitative Research Courses
EAC 720 - Use of Secondary Survey Data in AHE (3hrs)
4. Thesis Component (6 hours)
Thesis Research - EAC 695 (3 hrs)
5. Electives or Minor (6 hours minimum)
These courses are selected in consultation with your advisor.
Program Completion: 39 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
Dr. Duane Akroyd
Professor and Program Coordinator
Department of Adult and Higher Education
310-G Poe Hall, Campus Box 7801
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7801
Phone: 919.515.1745
duane_akroyd@ncsu.edu
