Course Descriptions

Professional Education Core Courses (9 Credit hours)

ADMN 6100 Fundamentals of Educational Leadership (Higher Education Section)
The developing role of educational organizations in the United States and the societal and cultural influences that affect the delivery of schooling. Structure and organization of American schools, administrative and organizational theory, legal, moral, and ethical dimensions of schooling within the context of restructuring and reform.

ADMN 6101 Perspectives on Adult Learning Theory
The examination of how adults learn in instructional settings, with the characteristics of the adult learner explored. Students investigate adult learning theory as well as current trends and advancements in adult learning. The focus is on making better instructional decisions and media selections for the education and training of adults.

RSCH 6101 Research Methods
Identification of logical, conceptual, and empirical research problems; application of methods and procedures, including conducting library research, interpreting research findings, and preparing reviews of related literature.

Courses in Educational Administration and Leadership (select 15 Credit hours)

Higher Education

ADMN 6000 Topics in Higher Education
May include classroom and/or clinic experiences in the content area. Current and prior Higher Education topics courses have included: Student Affairs in Higher Education; Higher Education Policy and Governance; Contemporary Issues in Higher Education; Curriculum in Higher Education; Equity Issues in College Student Affairs.

ADMN 6170 Introduction to the Community College
An overview of the two-year college with an emphasis on the comprehensive community college. Content focuses on the history and evolution of the community college including origin, culture, mission, structure, and governance. Special attention is paid to effective leadership and administration, finances, faculty, curriculum and instruction, student services and access, institutional effectiveness, community education, and economic development.

ADMN 6171 The American College Student
An examination of issues related to the contemporary American college student. Topics include: a review of college student development theory particularly related to identity and intellectual development, approaches to college student engagement, measures for student success, the social identity of college students, and differences among students from various higher education settings.

ADMN 6172 Higher Education in the United States
A review of the development of American higher education utilizing historical perspectives and relating them to the contemporary system. Topics include: college students, faculty, curriculum, governance, finance, and the context that informs change in American postsecondary education.

ADMN 6173 Legal Issues in Higher Education
Examination of the legal context of American higher education and current legal issues of importance to higher education leaders, including legal requirements, legal rights, and legal allowances.

ADMN 6174 Higher Education Finance and Budgeting
An examination of issues at the center of contemporary discussions of higher education finance and the challenges facing the financing of higher education. Topics include: the economic environment of higher education, tuition and affordability, regulations and compliance, budgets, and policy implications.

ADMN 6175 Non-traditional Approaches to Higher Education
Addresses new approaches to higher education that vary from the traditional higher education model. Examples include online, for-profit, competency-based credit, corporate educational institutions, and satellite campuses in other states and countries. Access, funding, cost, quality, size, performance, and future directions of these non-traditional approaches are examined.

ADMN 6176 Women in Higher Education
An overview of the history, current research, and present condition of women students, faculty, administrators, staff, and leaders in higher education institutions in the United States.  Includes an exploration of why and how women and men experience higher education differently, drawing on historical, cultural, social and theoretical contexts.

ADMN 6177 Student Affairs in Higher Education
An introduction to the student affairs profession within United States higher education. The primary topics include: history and development of student affairs, professional and institutional contexts, theoretical bases for the profession, organization of student affairs and functional units, essential competencies for student affairs educators, and contemporary issues affecting student affairs educators and college students.

ADMN 6178 Higher Education Policy and Governance
Examines a range of policy issues and governance issues regarding higher education.

ADMN 6179 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education
Examines a wide range of issues that are at the center of contemporary discussions of higher education.

ADMN 6180 Teaching Strategies for Adults in a Diverse Society
Explores the practice of teaching adults in its complexity and variety. It is a study of methods and techniques employed in facilitating adult learning as well as an in depth concentration on the role of philosophical orientation on teaching. Emphasis is placed on the process of designing and delivering effective individual and group learning experiences for adult learners, applying methods to learning objectives, the role of the educators and their philosophies, and the influence of context on the teaching of adults.
P-12 Education

Instructional Technology and Research

EIST 5100 Instructional Technology
Computer systems and software for enhancing teaching, learning, and educational management; examining issues related to the appropriate selection, integration, and evaluation of technology in educational contexts.

RSCH 7196 Program Evaluation Methods
Examination of principles, strategies, and techniques of program evaluation in order to identify, clarify, and apply defensible criteria that indicate a program’s value, quality, utility, effectiveness, and/or significance.