PROGRAM STATEMENT
The Master’s Program

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Higher Education provides professional preparation for students seeking entry and mid-level positions in both two- and four-year postsecondary institutions, including community colleges and technical colleges, liberal arts, and four-year colleges and universities. Depending upon prior experience, program graduate typically seek careers at the director or assistant director level in such specialty areas as residence life, Greek affairs, judicial affairs, financial aid, career planning and placement, campus activities and programs, admissions, financial management, human resources, continuing education, alumni affairs, and athletics.

The Doctoral Program

Two program options or major areas of specialization are offered within the doctoral program: (1) college administration (including student personnel work), and (2) college teaching. Within each of these areas there is considerable flexibility to fashion programs of study tailored to unique student career goals. Students may focus on two- or four-year colleges or some other aspect of postsecondary education. A third program option (3) allows a student to propose a more individualized program of study combining elements of the first two options. Every program, no matter which is selected, is subject to final approval by the student’s advisor and his/her doctoral advisory committee.

PROGRAM MISSION
To graduate doctoral, educational specialist, and master’s degree students who come from diverse backgrounds and who are characterized by their competence and confidence to be effective leaders in the higher education workplace.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS
Administrators – In addition to the high quality of full-time faculty, several nationally recognized administrators are active members of the faculty teaching courses/workshops, supervising interns and graduate assistants, and serving on thesis/dissertation committees.

Graduate Assistantships – Approximately 35-40 high quality graduate assistantships are offered each year to the students. These assistantships are available in most all areas of Student Affairs (Vic Chancellor’s Office, Dean of Student’s Office, Residence Life—live-in and –out positions, Career Services, New Student Programs, Judicial Affairs, Greek Affairs, Campus Activities, Student Union Administration, Health Center, Student Support Services, Multicultural Affairs, etc.), Enrollment Management (Financial Aid, Admissions, Registrar), Advancement (Alumni, Development, University Relations), Academic Advising (College Advising Centers), Men’s and Women’s Athletic Student Life Centers, Continuing Education, and other administrative offices. It is anticipated additional assistantships will be developed in conjunction with neighboring community colleges. These assistantships offer competitive stipends ranging from $7,500-12,000 for 9-12 months. Many of the assistantships are continued during the summer months. Several assistantships in Residence Life include an apartment and board. In addition, both in-state and out-of-state tuition are paid by the institution.

NATIONAL STANDARDS
Meets ACPA Professional Preparation Commission Standards: YES
Meets CAS Standards:
Other/Comments:

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Master's Application Graduate School Admission GPA: 2.70 overall; 3.20 on last 60 hours; 3.0+ preferred GRE required if GPA is below 2.7 Higher Education application Autobiographical Sketch Letters of recommendation - 3 Interview -- not required but preferred Work experience: no Writing sample Previous degrees – not specified Deadline – rolling admission; interviews for Graduate Assistant positions begin in February with preference give to students admitted Educational Specialist Degree Graduate School Admission • GPA 3.25 and overall satisfactory test score (MAT or GRE) or 3.00 and MAT of 55 or GRE of 1300 • Higher Education application • Autobiographical Sketch • Letters of recommendation - 3 • Sample of writing • Interview • Master’s or equivalent • Years of Experience – 2 • Deadline – rolling admission

Doctorate Application Graduate School Admission GPA 3.5 and overall satisfactory test score (MAT or GRE) or 3.00 and MAT of 55 or GRE of 1500 (1000 and 5.0) Higher Education application Autobiographical Sketch Letters of recommendation - 3 Sample of writing Interview Master’s or equivalent Years of Experience – 2 Deadline – rolling admission

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: Master's - 33 credit hours Specialist - 63 credit hours Doctorate - 96 credit hours

 

Master's Curriculum American Higher Education: An Overview Student Personnel Services Management Concepts in Higher Education Individual and Group Management Skills Legal Aspects of Higher Education Research Methods in Education or Applied Education Statistics The Student in Higher Education History and Philosophy of Higher Education Internship Electives (6 hours) Is a thesis required? No.

Doctorate Curriculum Introduction to the Study of Higher Education The Student in Higher Education History and Philosophy of Higher Education Trends, Issues and Problems in Higher Education Educational Statistics and Data Processing Research Techniques in Higher Education Advanced-level Research (3 hours) Courses in Higher Education area of specialty (9 hours) Other cores, cognates, and electives are required

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs  (2003-2004):

	Total Number	# of Males	# of Females	# of Whites	# of Persons of Color
Master's	49	13	36	40	8
Doctoral	40	17	23	34	6
	% of part-time students	% of full-time students	% of students enrolled in the program who also hold some form of financial assistance (graduate assistantship, fellowship, tuition waiver, scholarship)
Master's	18	82	100
Doctoral	85	15	100

PROGRAM FACULTY - Faculty members with areas of specialization and percentage of time devoted to the program.

Dr. James O. Hammons, Professor, community colleges, college teaching, management of college and universities,100%
Dr. Christopher J. Lucas, Professor, history and philosophy of higher education,25%
Dr. Lyle A. Gohn, Associate Professor, colleges students, student services administration, finance, issues in student services, 100%
Dr. Michael T. Miller, Associate Professor, academic governance, college and university management, community college issues
Dr. John W. Murry, Jr., Associate Professor and Associate Dean, legal issues, governance and policy making 25%
Dr. G. David Gearhart, Professor and Vice Chancellor of Development, development, advancement
Dr. Johnetta Brazzell, Adjunct Associate Professor and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
Dr. Ainsley Carry, Adjunct Associate Professor and Director of the Enhancement Learning Center
Dr. Sherry Mallory, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Project/Program Manager in Student Affairs
Dr. Karen Stauffacher, Visiting Assistant Professor and Dean, University College and Interim Dean of the College of Art and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fort Smith
Dr. Susan Stephenson, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of Continuing Education

Last modified 06/03/2005
Information submitted by: Georgia

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