The Master's Degree in adult and higher education is designed to prepare professionals to assume administrative roles in adult and higher education; become more competitive candidates for leadership positions in adult and higher education; and conduct inquiry which contributes to the practice of adult and higher education.
The master's program is comprised of a comprehensive curriculum (no master's thesis is required) and practical experiences designed to prepare students for professional positions in a variety of education and training organizations including colleges and universities, governmental agencies, educational planning agencies, and business and industry.
Our program prepares graduates to assume leadership, administrative, teaching, and training positions in a variety of organizational settings. Our graduates compete for positions as trainers, adult educators, program planners, distance education specialists, administrators, athletics administrators, and instructors in adult education organizations, colleges and universities (including community colleges and vocational schools), governmental and military agencies, and business and industry.
This program is designed to provide the students with the competencies necessary to teach, develop, and administer successful organizational and educational programs based on the literature and research in adult and higher education. Students will be exposed to significant insights related to management, leadership, evaluation, finance, marketing, development, program planning, distance and traditional learning, teaching strategies, organizational transformation, and human relations.
Our program is interdisciplinary, and we enthusiastically welcome students from all undergraduate and graduate disciplines. No prior teacher education nor administrative experience is needed to be admitted into the program.
The program is a 36-hour program which includes a core of 12 hours, 15 hours of course work in the selected area of emphasis, and 9 hours of graduate electives. Students who have not had the equivalent of 1 year of experience working in the field of higher education administration will be advised to enroll in 3 hours of practicum in higher education. Also note that special topics courses are offered on a regular basis.
Graduate students must make a grade of “B” or better in core classes (EDAH 5013, EDAH 5023, EDAH 5033, EDAH 5043).
Core (12 Hours)
Emphasis (15 Hours)
Electives (9 Hours)
Practicum (EDAH 5910)
Practical experiences (practica) are designed to provide students with opportunities to explore possible areas of professional interest. In addition, practica provide students with applied, specialized experience in one of the following areas: (1) Adult and Continuing Education; (2) Higher Education Administration; (3) Institutional Research; (4) Distance Education; (5) Student Personnel Services; (6) Intercollegiate Sports Administration; and (7) Workforce Learning and Development. Unpaid practica are strongly recommended for students who have not had at least one year's experience working in the field of adult and higher education.
In lieu of a master's thesis, all students are required to take the master's comprehensive exam at the end of their program of study. Students may take the comprehensive exam only after completing the four core courses and at minimum 75% of the degree requirements (the EDAH Curriculum Committee may grant a waiver based on a specific reason which must include how content from missing coursework will be covered). The Graduate College requires, without exception, that students be registered for a minimum of two (2) hours to qualify as eligible to take the comprehensive exam. Students must register to take the exam.
The exam is a “take-home” format to be completed at your own pace over the course of a weekend in a word processing program. You can utilize course notes, materials, scholarly resources, etc., but you must complete the exam by yourself with no outside consultation or assistance. You will have 74 hours to complete and then upload the exam. Failure to provide plausible answers to all exam questions will result in a failure for the exam.
· Academic integrity is a critical component of scholarship and expected in this examination process. You can access OU's academic integrity website here: http://integrity.ou.edu/
· You should use proper APA citations and be sure to attribute ideas as well as direct quotations accurately
· Your exam will be reviewed using software that checks for academic integrity
· Remember: The exam must be taken by yourself! You are not allowed to consult with anyone: no editing help/services, writing center, or peer reviews
· By submitting your exam, you certify that your work was conducted along the OU academic integrity standards
The Comprehensive Exam is not offered during the summer. Exam dates are determined at the beginning of each Fall or Spring semester. The exam is typically on the first Saturday in November and April.
Application forms and deadlines are found on the Graduate College website http://www.ou.edu/gradcollege/current-students/progress-completion/deadlines Please note that deadlines for the exam are early in the semester prior to the semester when you want to take the exam. Once registered, you will automatically be added to the “Comprehensive Exam” Canvas course. Please contact Graduate Program Studies at JRCOE_GPS@ou.edu or (405) 325-4525 for with questions about registering for the exam.
Comprehensive Exam Instructions
The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to evaluate a student’s capacity to:
Students have 74 hours to complete the Comprehensive Examination. Once complete, the exam must be uploaded to the Comprehensive/Qualifying Exam course on the Canvas website.
Higher Education Administration emphasis
The higher education concentration focuses on topics related to general administration in colleges and universities. In this concentration, students will be introduced to theories, issues, and research related to organizational behavior, academic administration, financial management, and planning in higher education. This concentration enables students to become competitive candidates for entry-level general administrative positions in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, and institutional development.
If you have questions about the concentration, please contact Dr. Natalie Youngbull.
Masters in Adult and Higher Education with concentration in Higher Education Administration
COURSES
36 credit Hour Degree Requirement
I. Major Core or Required Courses (12 credits):
▪ EDAH 5013, The Adult Learner
▪ EDAH 5023, Administration of Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5033, Critical Literature
▪ EDAH 5043, Research Methods
II. Higher Education Administration Emphasis (15 credits):
▪ EDAH 5133, The American Community and Junior College
▪ EDAH 5143, Leadership Development in AHE
▪ EDAH 5153, Legal Aspects of Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5163, Diversity Issues in Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5213, History of American Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5243, Financial Management in Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5910, *Practicum in Adult and Higher Education – Masters
*All Practicum students work with the Practicum Faculty Member (Dr. Barker) during this course, which is offered each Spring Term. It is recommended as the final course in the program.
III. Choose from a specific Student Affairs track or general electives based on your own learning objectives. Electives may be taken from within or outside of EDAH. Options include:
Track 1: Institutional and Organizational Typology (Choose any 9 credits)
▪ EDAH 5123, Decision Making in Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5433, Organizational Design & Management of FYE Programs
▪ EDAH 5940, Leadership and Ethics in Community Colleges
▪ EDAH 5940, Statewide Coordination and Governance
▪ EDAH 5940, High Impact Practices in Higher Education and Student Affairs
▪ EDAH 5940, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)
Track 2: Research, Evaluation and Assessment Track (Choose any 9 credits)
▪ EDAH 5373, Assessment in Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5553, Evaluation Strategies in Adult and Higher education
▪ EDAH 5940, Assessment and Evaluation in College Student Affairs
▪ EDAH 6193, Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry
Track 3: Diversity in Higher Education Administration (Choose any 9 credits)
▪ EDAH 5473, Race, Class and Gender in Education
▪ EDAH 5543, Gender, Society and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5940, Minority Serving Institutions
Track 4: College Teaching (Choose any 9 credits)
▪ EDAH 5103, Instructional Strategies in Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5970, College Teaching
▪ Choose one of the following:
• EDAH 5473, Race Class and Gender in Education
• EDAH 5543, Gender, Society and Higher Education
• EDAH 5970, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)
• EDAH 5970, Spirituality and Religious Diversity in Higher Education
Track 5: General Electives (Choose any 9 credits)
Take intentional OU Graduate Coursework that meets your learning objectives, preferably in EDAH. Course numbers must be at the 5000 or 6000 levels. Courses taken outside EDAH require faculty advisor approval.
▪ EDAH 5263, Planning in Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5333, Program Planning for the Adult Learner
▪ EDAH 5443, Organization Development and Change in AHE
▪ EDAH 5453, Autobiography in Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5463, Transformative Learning
▪ EDAH 5663, Governance in Intercollegiate Athletics
▪ EDAH 5673, Organization and Administration of Athletics
▪ EDAH 5683, Diversity in Sport
All students should seek academic advising prior to choosing courses to satisfy their credit hours.
Intercollegiate Athletics Administration concentration
Program Overview
Students interested in pursuing a career in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration (IAA) as a scholar or practitioner are able to focus coursework in this specific area of concentration. Students pursuing a Master’s degree will earn a M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education with a concentration in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration (36 credits). IAA courses are taught by both EDAH faculty members and practitioners who work in the OU Athletics Department.
The IAA concentration is philosophically embedded within the broader study of adult and higher education. As such, it reflects the realities of modern intercollegiate athletics programs within the context of the higher education setting. The curriculum is designed to provide a breadth of knowledge in higher education with specialized course work in intercollegiate athletics.
IAA concentration course requirements
36 credits are required to complete a Master’s of Education in Adult and Higher Education with a Concentration in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration Degree.
Download a printable version of the IAA degree sheet (PDF).
Four (4) Core Courses
EDAH 5013 The Adult Learner
EDAH 5023 Administration of Adult and Higher Education
EDAH 5033 Critical Literature in Adult and Higher Education
EDAH 5043 Introduction to Research in Adult and Higher Education
Five (5) Intercollegiate Athletics Administration Courses
Include at least one course from the following list of three:
And four additional IAA concentration courses. For more information, download a printable version of the IAA degree sheet (PDF).
Three (3) Elective Courses
For more information, download a printable version of the IAA degree sheet (PDF).
Graduate Assistantships
IAA students are encouraged to apply for graduate assistant (GA) positions in the OU Athletics department. The application process for GA positions is separate from IAA admissions. Both admissions and GA positions are highly competitive, so it is recommended that you apply to both simultaneously, early in the spring semester.
Assistantships are available in most functional units of a large Division I athletics department (marketing, compliance, licensing, academic support, athletics student life, development, etc.). Assistantships are typically at the .50 level, include a tuition remission, basic benefits and stipend. Student fees are not included.
For information regarding open positions, applicants should visit student jobs.ou.edu and search for positions in the Athletics Department. Positions are usually filled by mid-April although some off-cycle positions may be available. Other questions regarding GA positions should be directed to Brooklynn Nichols at bnichols13@ou.edu.
Please visit student jobs.ou.edu for available Graduate Assistant positions.
IAA Concentration Faculty
Daniel Springer, Ph.D.
Student Affairs Emphasis
The Student Affairs emphasis in EDAH is committed to helping students understand how colleges and universities work, the issues affecting college students and faculty, and how to best lead our colleges and universities to meet the challenges of our global and changing diverse democracy. Students will be challenged intellectually to consider the intersections of theory, research, and practice as they develop integrity, courage, and vision to advance social justice and educational equity in the field.
The Student Affairs emphasis prepares students for a variety of education and training organizations including two and four year institutions of higher education, governmental agencies, educational planning agencies, and business and industry and focuses on organizational behavior, management, administration, and research related to diverse college students. This concentration prepares students to assume administrative student affairs positions in higher education such as residence life, multicultural affairs, counseling, placement, leadership, volunteerism, counseling, international student services, and academic advising.
Major Core or Required Courses (12 credits):
▪ EDAH 5013, The Adult Learner
▪ EDAH 5023, Administration of Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5033, Critical Literature
▪ EDAH 5043, Introduction to Research in Adult and Higher Education
Student Affairs Emphasis (15 credits):
▪ EDAH 5163, Diversity Issues in Adult and Higher Education
▪ *EDAH 5223, Foundations of Student Affairs in Higher Education [*Suggested first course in the program]
▪ EDAH 5483, College Student Development
▪ **EDAH 5383, Contemporary Issues in Student Personnel
[**Suggested last course in the program]
▪ +EDAH 5910, Practicum in Adult and Higher Education
+ Students may select from the following options: 1) an administrative practicum in the area(s) of interest, 2) an experiential practicum focused on preparations for national and regional conferences, 3) a written practicum focused on publication, or 4) another option designed in consultation with your advisor and practicum faculty member. Students who have Student Affairs experience as a graduate student or personnel may select an administrative practicum in a different area or the academic options. All students work with the practicum faculty member on the practicum experience.
Electives (9 credits):
Choose from a specific Student Affairs track or general electives based on your own learning objectives. Electives may be taken from within or outside of EDAH. Options include:
Social Justice Track
▪ EDAH 5473, Race, Class and Gender in Education
▪ EDAH 5940, Critical Topics in Student Life
▪ EDAH 5943, Gender, Society and Higher Education
Community College Track
▪ *EDAH 5133, The American Community College
[*suggested first course in this sequence]
▪ EDAH 5940, Student Services in Community College
▪ Additional courses to be determined
Administration Track
▪ EDAH 5173, Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs
▪ EDAH 5433, The First-Year Experience: Students, Program Design,
and Management
▪ EDAH 5940, Assessment and Evaluation in College Student Affairs
General Directed Track
Student (with advisors) chooses courses from within or outside EDAH based on your intended learning outcomes, for example, training & development in student affairs, finance and business management, and human relations. EDAH examples include:
▪ EDAH 5123, Decision Making in Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5153, Legal Issues in Adult and Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5213, History of American Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5233, Research on the College Student
▪ EDAH 5243, Financial Management in Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5253, Institutional Research in Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5263, Planning in Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5273, Athletics in Higher Education
▪ EDAH 5503, Introduction to Developing & Training
Human Resources in Organization
▪ EDAH 5940, Statewide Coordination and Governance
▪ EDAH 5940, NCAA Academic Reform and Academic Advising
▪ EDAH 6193, Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry in Adult & Higher Education
All students should seek academic advising prior to choosing courses to satisfy their credit hours.
Workforce, Adult, and Continuing Education Emphasis
The Workforce, Adult, and Continuing Education emphasis prepares professionals for work as administrators, program managers, trainers, and human resource and organizational development professionals in a variety of organizational settings including private firms, nonprofit and government organizations, and higher educational systems. Major emphases of the WACE program will equip individuals with a basic foundation, knowledge, and skills related to adult and workplace learning theories, instructional strategies, program planning and evaluation techniques, and lifelong- and neuroscience-based learning perspectives, which will aid them to enhance workplace, community, and personal lives. Students enter the WACE program from a variety of backgrounds.
The WACE emphasis prepares individuals with the most current information and understanding required for success in this dynamic field. It also provides a firm foundation in the critical topic areas of:
Masters in Adult and Higher Education WACE Emphasis Course Work
Major Core or Required Courses (12 credits):
WACE Emphasis (24 credits):
Five or six courses from the following list:
Two or three courses from the following list:
Practicum
A practicum is a supervised fieldwork experience in which a faculty member and a professional collaborate in guiding, instructing, and supervising the student’s introduction to a particular functional area or project. It offers the opportunity to gain insights which complement the academic preparation of the classroom.
Students who have not had the equivalent of one year of experience working in the WACE field must take the 3-hour course:
All students should seek academic advising prior to choosing courses to satisfy their credit hours. Students who would like further information regarding this program should contact:
Training and Organizational Development Focus
Dr. Doo Hun Lim
(405) 325-7941
dhlim@ou.edu
