2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Education in Higher Education - Adult and Higher Education Emphasis

• Requirements for M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Education and Community Innovation section in this catalog.

Website: gvsu.edu/coe/grad

Mission

Teaching, leading, and learning in a democratic society.

Philosophy

Believing that schools function as social and political entities, as well as for the growth of individuals, the College of Education and Community Innovation prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.

Values

The College of Education and Community Innovation values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we serve.

The Adult and Higher Education (AHE) curriculum is designed for students interested in developing competencies for working with adult and higher education students. This curriculum also offers an opportunity for administrate leadership development for those interested in working in institutions of higher education in a variety of student affairs functional areas such as admissions, student orientation, residence life, student life, academic advising, recreation and wellness, financial aid, multicultural affairs, career services, international affairs, and judicial affairs.

Minimum Number of Hours in Program
The M.Ed. degree in higher education with an emphasis in adult and higher education requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. Students may enroll part-time and start in the fall, winter, or spring/summer semester.

Program Location
The program is offered at DeVos Center, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, as well as on the Allendale Campus.

Requirements for M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education

Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) Choose one:

• EDF 671 - Educational Policy and Practice (3 credits)
• EDF 672 - Social/Cultural Foundations of Education (3 credits)

Research and Evaluation (3 credits):

• EDF 660 - Educational Inquiry and Evaluation (3 credits)

Emphasis Area Requirements (21 credits):

• EDH 648 - The Adult Learner (3 credits)
• EDH 650 - Materials and Methods for Adult and Continuing Education (3 credits)
• EDH 651 - Higher Education and Student Affairs Functions (3 credits)
• EDH 652 - The American College Student (3 credits)
• EDH 656 - Organization and Administration in Higher Education (3 credits)
• EDH 657 - The Community College (3 credits)
• EDH 658 - Critical Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)

Elective Courses (3 or 6 credits) Advisor approval required:

• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

Capstone Choose one:

• EDH 693 - Master's Project (3 credits)
• EDH 695 - Master's Thesis (1 to 6 credits)

Students should meet with their advisor midway through their program to decide on their Capstone and discuss plans for completion. Subject to department approval, Capstone courses may be taken in variable amounts from one to three credits (EDH 693) or one to six credits (EDH 695) and require continuous enrollment each semester until completed.

Application deadlines (thesis/project): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.