The changing nature of higher education and the influx of adult learners into formal, informal, community, workplace and institutional education programs have sparked the need for skills, insights and knowledge of the field of adult and higher education. The School of Education and Human Development at the University of Houston-Victoria is responding to this need by offering Master's degree that prepares students to work in formal and nonformal education environments outside of the K-12 structure. UHV’s program in Adult and Higher Education is unique among Texas institutions in that it combines coursework in both adult education and higher education administration. This program is designed to have broad appeal to students employed in a variety of fields. Students complete a core curriculum and choose from one of three tracks: Adult Education, Higher Education, or Discipline/Instruction. Who enrolls in this program? This program has been designed to help individuals interested in the education of adults pursue their professional and educational goals. The Higher Education track is ideal for faculty, staff, advisors, student affairs professionals and administrators currently working in community colleges and other institutions of higher education who are seeking advancement or hoping to build their capacity for leadership that comes with having a master’s degree. Individuals pursuing the Adult Education track are generally educators who teach in community settings, health education, corporate training and development environments, or religious organizations. This program develops a valuable set of skills needed to accommodate the needs of and help overcome the barriers faced by adult learners. The Discipline/Instruction track has been structured to help individuals who wish to teach at the undergraduate level gain both the content knowledge and the credentials they will likely need. Degree requirements: In addition to completing the required core courses (15 credit hours) and the required research course (3 credit hours), students choose one of three areas of specialization: Higher Education (15 credit hours), Adult Education (15 credit hours), or a Discipline/Instruction track (18 credit hours). Students will be required to complete an Internship in AHED (3 credit hours) or an additional elective within the AHED course curriculum. The completion of the program requires successfully passing a comprehensive exam that includes three questions: two core course questions and one specialty area course question. Insufficient written responses may require a follow-up (oral or written) defense or further clarification (Click here for degree plan.). The Internship in AHED may be substituted with another specialty area course by students who currently work in the field of adult and higher education by submitting a letter from their employer and a resume. Approval of the waiver is granted by the AHED Program Coordinator. Note: The Discipline/Instruction track requires that students complete 18 graduate-level hours in a single discipline (e.g., biology, economics, psychology, etc.), which has traditionally been the “minimum requirement” of many colleges when considering the credentials for undergraduate instructors. Individuals wishing to pursue this track should check the requirements of the institution where they wish to teach. In addition, UHV limits the total number of credits that can be earned at another institution and applied to a UHV degree. Pursuing the Discipline/Instruction track will require careful planning and consultation with the AHED Program Coordinator. Course Rotation Year 1 Fall Spring Summer AHED 6353 Educational Leadership in Organizations AHED 6346 Introduction to Student Services AHED 6356 IT Trends and Issues in AHED AHED 6334 Foundations of Adult Education AHED 6331 Program Planning and Development in AHED AHED 6338 Research in AHED AHED 6305 Internship in AHED AHED 6305 Internship in AHED AHED 6305 Internship in AHED AHED 6332 Adult Development AHED 6335 Diversity in Adult Education AHED 6336 Continuing Professional Education AHED 6342 The American Community College AHED 6354 Higher Education Finance Year 2 Fall Spring Summer AHED 6353 Educational Leadership in Organizations AHED 6346 Introduction to Student Services AHED 6356 IT Trends and Issues in AHED AHED 6334 Foundations of Adult Education AHED 6331 Program Planning and Development in AHED AHED 6338 Research in AHED AHED 6305 Internship in AHED AHED 6305 Internship in AHED AHED 6305 Internship in AHED AHED 6339 Self-Directed Learning AHED 6333 The Adult Learner AHED 6344 The College Student AHED 6337 College Teaching The goal of the program is for students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to conduct informed practice in one of the areas of adult or higher education, and to prepare faculty interested in teaching a discipline within a community college. This informed practice is dependent upon having a knowledge base of numerous theories, literature, and research strategies to address practical challenges in the field. Joann S. Olson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor and Advisor 234 University West Victoria, TX 77901 Office: (361) 570.4214 Email: OlsonJ@uhv.edu
Core
15 credit hours
Research Core
3 credit hours
Specialty Area
15 credit hours for Adult or Higher Education
18 credit hours for Discipline/Instruction Track
Internship or Elective
3 credit hours
Comprehensive Exam
Pass/Fail
Total
36 or 39 credit hours
AHED 6355
Higher Education History
Notes related to the course rotation:
University of Houston-Victoria
