Program Approval Form

Transcription

1 98 Program Approval Form For approval of new programs and deletions or modifications to an existing program. Action Requested: Type (Check one): X Create New (SCHEV approval required except for minors) B.A. B.S. Minor (req. C3 approval) Inactivate Existing X M.A. M.S. M.Ed. Modify Existing (check ALL that apply) Ph.D. Title (SCHEV approval required except for minors) Undergraduate Certificate* (req. C3 approval) Concentration (Choose one): Add Delete Modify Graduate Certificate* Degree Requirements Bachelor s/accelerated Master s Other: Admission Standards/ Application Requirements Other Changes: College/School: College of Humanities and Social Sciences Department: Higher Education Submitted by: Jan Arminio Ext: jarminio@gmu.edu Effective Term: Fall 2016 Please note: For students to be admitted to a new degree, minor, certificate or concentration, the program must be fully approved, entered into Banner, and published in the University Catalog. Justification: (attach separate document if necessary) The proposed Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Development creates a degree from a current concentration in Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS). Currently, Higher Education is the largest concentration in MAIS. The degree will prepare students for positions in higher education administration including student affairs, non-profit higher education associations, and government organizations. The degree has become the entry level benchmark to many higher education positions as the field of student development has become more professionalized. A specialized degree has also become the benchmark for obtaining supervisory and director positions in student affairs and higher education administration. Today s higher education professionals need to understand both the needs of incoming traditional age students, as well as adult students returning for a degree and special populations such as veterans. The wide range of student backgrounds in the current complex context requires a holistic approach to college student development. This master s degree will prepare future higher education leaders who understand higher education in the digital age, student development, multicultural and diverse populations, program development, professionalism, and learning assessment. This multidisciplinary program draws not only on the expertise of the Higher Education Program faculty, but also on the liberal arts and social science faculty of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. A specific degree in Student Development and Higher Education will allow for a more nuanced and relevant preparation for professional work in general and the capstone assignment in particular. Too, one of the purposes of the MAIS degree is as an incubator for new degrees. With a current enrollment of 32 students and an average enrollment over the past 6 years of 31, and as the largest concentration in MAIS, this new degree is a natural evolution. We suspect a specific degree name will lead to increased enrollment. No additional resources are needed. Students are advised by the Director of the Higher Education program. Students must meet with the advisor their first semester and then again after 18credits to discuss the Professional Performance Review and plans for their capstone. Also, students progress is reviewed at semesterly progress meetings. Concerns regarding progress are communicated with students. Note that we propose to change the prefix to HESD from CTCH. Note too, the only change for most courses would be the prefix. Program Title: (Required) Title must identify subject matter. Do not include name of college/school/dept. Concentration(s): Admissions Standards / Application Requirements: (Required only if different from those listed in the University Catalog) Existing Higher Education in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies New/Modified Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Development Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admissions section in this catalog. Bachelor s degree from accredited

2 Degree Requirements: Consult University Catalog for models, attach separate document if necessary using track changes for modifications institutions. Two sealed official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants do not need to submit transcripts for courses taken at George Mason University. Complete graduate application to include application fee and goal statement (1,000 words) that addresses the reasons for applying to enter the M.A. in Student Development and Higher Education. Three letters of recommendation from academic and professional references. A minimum of a year s involvement in higher education (this could include policy institutes, higher education associations, or other higher education related agencies. Writing sample that demonstrates analytical and integrative thinking. Examples might include research papers completed for class, analytical essays, grant proposals, or published articles. Current resume. Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate course work. Courses applied to the degree are subject to the following restrictions: a maximum of 6 credits may be taken through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area; a maximum of 15 credits may be transfer credits; a maximum of 6 of the transfer credits may be from other accredited institutions. Transfer credits include credits taken before first enrolling as an admitted degree-seeking student (at another institution, in another Mason graduate program, or in Mason nondegree status) or credits taken at another institution after admission to the degree program through study abroad or study elsewhere (which requires prior written approval of the director and the dean). Additional information may be found in the Academic Policies section of the Mason catalog. Core Courses (21 credits) HESD 603 Higher Education in the Digital Age (3 credits) HESD 606 Diversity in Higher Education (3 credits) HESD 621 Higher Education in the United States (3 credits) HESD 605 Learning Assessment (3 credits)*** HESD 644 Student Services in Higher Education (3 credits) HESD 646 Student Development Theory in Higher Education (3 credits)* HESD 690 Research Designs in Higher Education (3 credits)** *=new course **=existing course revised with new number ***=modified course with new title and description

3 Optional Practicum (3 credits) Depending upon prior work experience, students may be encouraged to complete a 150 hour practicum related to the student s learning and career goals. Capstone and Electives Students may choose a thesis option or project option as described below. Electives can be taken outside of HESD and should be selected in consultation of the advisor. Thesis Option (15) Students who select the thesis option will complete an additional research methods course offered at Mason with approval from an advisor. Thesis students must also take a research apprenticeship. Too, as an elective, they may take a practicum to gain additional practice depending upon the student s level of work experience and approval of the student s advisor. Thesis students must complete the thesis course and one to two elective courses. Additional Research Methods (3 credits) Electives (3-6 credits) HESD 785 Research Apprenticeship (3 credits)* HESD 685 Practicum (optional) HESD 799 Thesis Option (3 credits)* A thesis is a rigorous scholarly inquiry that requires the collection of original data and is presented in a traditional, formal, written format. It is informed by experience gained from the research apprenticeship. The guidelines and deadlines for thesis submission are set by the University and administered by the University Dissertation and Thesis Service. Project Option (6) Students who select the project will complete 9-12 elective credits (3-4 courses) with the choice of a practicum based upon the work experience and with the approval of the student s advisor. The project is a three credit course. Electives will be approved by the advisor. HESD 685 Practicum HESD 798 Project Option (3 credits)* Electives (9-12)

4 A project is a product the student creates from existing literature such as a traditional research monograph that is smaller in scale than a thesis and/or does not rely on the collection of original data. It is a deliverable with a practical application, such as a manual, handbook, or workshop grounded in research literature. *=new course **=existing course revised with new number ***=modified course with new title and description Courses offered via distance: (if applicable) TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 36 *For Certificates Only: Indicate whether students are able to pursue on a Full-time basis Part-time basis Approval Signatures Date College/School Date Provost s Office Date Required for Minors and Interdisciplinary Programs If this program may impact another unit or is in collaboration with another unit at Mason, the originating department must circulate this proposal for review by those units and obtain the necessary signatures prior to submission. Failure to do so will delay action on this proposal. Unit Name Unit Approval Name Unit Approver s Signature Date For Minors and UG Certificates only (Cross-College Curriculum Committee Approval) C3 Committee Member Provost Office C3 Committee Approval Date For Graduate Programs Only Graduate Council Member Provost Office Graduate Council Approval Date For Registrar Office s Use Only: Received Banner Catalog revised 7/1/15

5 Program description: The Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Development prepares students for positions in higher education administration, student development, non-profit higher education associations, and government organizations. Today s higher education professionals are required to address both the needs of incoming traditionally aged students, as well as those of older students returning for a degree and special populations. The wide range of student backgrounds in the current complex context requires a holistic approach to college student development. This master s degree will prepare future higher education leaders who understand higher education in the digital age, student development, multicultural and diverse populations, program development, professionalism, and learning assessment. This multidisciplinary program requires 36 credits, offers both thesis and project capstone options, and is full and part-time student friendly. Alumni hold positions in areas such as career development, academic advising, assessment, facilities management, admissions, and residence life.