Educational Administration and Leadership - Adult and Higher Education (M.A.)

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Program Overview

The educational administration and leadership programs at USD are designed for school district superintendents, elementary and secondary principals, special education directors, curriculum directors, adult educators, and higher education administrators and classroom instructors. They develop education leaders to be effective school administrators by cultivating change for the future. Offered at master’s, educational specialist and doctoral levels, the programs can be taken on-campus, online or via a hybrid learning environment. Specializations vary depending on the degree level. Examples include adult and higher education, curriculum director, pre-K-12 principal, pre-K-12 educational leadership, director of special education and school district superintendent. The USD School of Education has been accredited by CAEP (formerly NCATE) since 1956. Learn more at usd.edu/eal.

DELIVERY: On campus | Online

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership - Adult and Higher Education Specialization

Master of Arts, Adult & Higher Education, Plan A (thesis): Total 32–34 credit hours

Major Area Coursework

AHED 701 - Adult Learning Theories 3 cr
AHED 710 - Social Justice and Cultural Issues in Adult Education 3 cr
AHED 720 - Principles of Postsecondary Education 3 cr
AHED 752 - Organization and Administration in Higher Education 3 cr
AHED 798 - Thesis (M.A.) 1 to 4 cr (4 credit hours required)
AHED Electives 6-15 cr hours (minimum 6 credits)

Supporting Area Coursework

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
Supporting course work: 7-9 credit hours

Master of Arts, Adult & Higher Education, Plan B (non–thesis): Total 32 credit hours

Major Area Coursework

AHED 701 - Adult Learning Theories 3 cr
AHED 710 - Social Justice and Cultural Issues in Adult Education 3 cr
AHED 720 - Principles of Postsecondary Education 3 cr
AHED 752 - Organization and Administration in Higher Education 3 cr
AHED Electives (minimum 6 credits) 6-12 cr hours

Supporting Area Coursework

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
Electives 5-11 credit hours

Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Admission test scores*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

Note:

Students have seven years from the time they are admitted to complete the requirements for their degree program.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Division of Educational Leadership
605-658-6614 | edad@usd.edu | usd.edu/edleadership

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6200 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad