The Master of Arts Program in Educating Adults (MAEA) Online from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) is designed for people who, working formally or informally in diverse settings, support the process and practice of adults’ learning. Grounded in key theories, current research and best practices in adult education and learning, the program provides a learning laboratory for learners to build and deepen their knowledge and skills in assessment, design, facilitation, evaluation and ongoing research to improve practice.
Focus Areas
MAEA students may choose a focus area within Educating Adults:
Community-Engaged Learning
This focus area is designed to help adults effect change and growth within their local contexts. Students electing this focus area work with others to facilitate positive change for individuals, groups, and/or communities. Related areas include community development, community engagement, empowerment, social change, social impact, and social justice.
Learning and Development
This focus area is designed to help adults develop their growth and performance potential in the workplace. Students electing this focus area center their work on assessment and evaluation, curriculum/program development, delivery/facilitation, and/or curriculum design. Related areas include employee engagement, human resources, instructional design, performance improvement, talent development, and training.
Technology-Enhanced Learning
This focus area is designed to help adults learn using technology in various ways and for various purposes. Students electing this focus area use a range of platforms, strategies and tools for designing and delivering learning in on-line, on-ground, and/or hybrid environments. Related areas include E-learning, gamification, and social media.
Individualized
This focus area is to-be-developed by the individual student in the event that none of the three designated areas (above) reflects the student’s interests and career aspirations. (If proposing one’s own individualized focus area, students are advised to consider the perspectives of external audiences such as employers and graduate schools.)
Key Features
- You expand your knowledge of key theories and best practices in adult learning—including the latest in instructional technology, course design, learning facilitation, internet-based practices and emerging trends.
- You further develop competencies as an adult educator and expand your repertoire of core and cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
- You study with other adult educators in a collaborative learning environment.
- You customize portions of your study to match your individual learning needs and goals and carry out an applied project that contributes to adults’ learning in your particular area of practice.
- You receive assistance from a team of advisors from the University who provide coaching and mentoring to ensure your success.
- You engage in a brief/intensive series of “liberal learning” seminars designed to rekindle and/or deepen your practice in key domains of applied effectiveness (personal, interpersonal, organizational, values and inquiry).
- You accomplish your goal of graduate study—enhancing your contribution as an educator of adults and earning an accredited graduate degree with competencies endorsed by the University.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 52 |
| Total hours required | 52 |
Alumni qualify for the Double Demon scholarship.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge critical to adult learning in various settings.
- Apply reflective acuity in support of adults learning.
- Engage methods of inquiry to improve the practice of adult learning.
- Take initiative to add value in their professional practice.
- Adapt and engage from an ever-broadening repertoire of responses.
- Contribute to achieve collective results.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours with a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.5.
Professional Core
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EA 515 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY | 4 |
| EA 516 | DESIGNING EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS | 4 |
| EA 517 | FACILITATING ADULT LEARNING | 4 |
| EA 526 | ASSESSING ADULT LEARNING | 4 |
| Select 8 credit hours of Electives (additional options available outside of SCPS) | ||
| EA 516 | DESIGNING EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS | 4 |
| EA 518 | ENHANCING PRACTICE WITH THEORY IN ADULT LEARNING | 4 |
| EA 542 | DESIGNING OUTCOME-BASED PROGRAM EVALUATION: PERSPECTIVES & PRACTICES | 2-4 |
| EA 545 | PARTNERING FOR SOCIAL ACTION GFDIS | 4 |
| EA 546 | EDUCATING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE GFDIS | 4 |
| EA 547 | DESIGNING ONLINE LEARNING GFDIS | 4 |
Liberal Learning
Students participate in graduate seminars designed to liberate practice from single points of view and action. Students are required to complete 18 credit hours of coursework in the Liberal Learning section.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LLS 450A | 2 | |
| LLS 450B | APPLYING SYSTEMATIC INQUIRY (IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE) | 4 |
| Select 12 credit hours of Electives | ||
| LLS 410D | WRITING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS | 4 |
| LLS 410E | EVIDENCED BASED DECISION MAKING | 4 |
| LLS 410F | GENDER IN BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| LLS 410G | ADVANCED LEADERSHIP THEORY & PRACTICE | 4 |
| LLS 410H | EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT | 4 |
| LLS 420D | APPLYING ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420E | LEADERSHIP, CHANGE AND POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420F | LEADERSHIP MODELS FOR STRONG ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| LLS 420G | EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AT WORK | 4 |
| LLS 420H | LEADING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | 4 |
| LLS 440A | UNDERSTANDING AND FLEXING MINDSETS | 4 |
Reflective Practice
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EA 535 | REFLECTIVE PRACTICE SEMINAR I | 0.5 |
| EA 536 | REFLECTIVE PRACTICE SEMINAR II | 0.5 |
| EA 537 | REFLECTIVE PRACTICE SEMINAR III | 0.5 |
| EA 538 | REFLECTIVE PRACTICE SEMINAR IV | 0.5 |
Program Culmination
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EA 528 | APPLIED INQUIRY PROJECT | 4 |
| or EA 528C | APPLIED INQUIRY PROJECT CAPSTONE | |