University of Southern Maine

USM Graduate Catalog 2008-2009

Certificates of Advanced Study (degree, post-master's)

[Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and/or Adult or Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Adult Learning | Counseling | Educational Leadership
English as a Second Language | Literacy Education]

Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and/or Adult or Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The post-master’s certificate of advanced study is designed to meet the educational needs of the master’s prepared registered nurse interested in obtaining preparation for advanced practice. Students enrolled in this program join the master’s students enrolled in the respective concentrations.

Program Requirements for Adult and Family Nurse Practitioner

* Required only of family nurse practitioner students

Program Requirements for Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

*Required only of Family P/MH Nurse Practitioner students

Admission Requirements
Students applying for admission must meet the following requirements:

1. M.S. degree in nursing (official transcripts) from an NLN or CCNE accredited program.
2. Two letters of reference reflecting current professional practice.
3. Personal letter describing past clinical experience, current goals, and program expectations.
4. Evidence (photocopy) of current licensure as a registered professional nurse in Maine.
5. Evidence of current national certification (photocopy):
   • As an Adult Nurse Practitioner if returning for a CAS as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
   • As an Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist if returning for a CAS as either an Adult or Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

This information is available here or contact the College of Nursing and Health Professions for more information.

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Adult Learning

The post-master’s certificate of advanced study in adult learning is designed for the experienced educator—teacher, counselor, administrator, program planner, or policy maker—who works with adults in any educational setting, or seeks to explore the use of adult learning strategies as an alternative educational approach for working with younger learners. The 30-credit program emphasizes personal learning as a central theme, both as an approach to educator development and as a set of concepts and tools for working with adults in schools, businesses, social service agencies, hospitals, and other community organizations where adult education programs are planned and delivered. This is an individualized, flexible program which permits students to apply their learning to field-based projects.

Special Admissions Requirements
Candidates should have a master’s degree in adult education or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university and at least 2 years of experience in professional practice. Professional practice may include, but is not limited to, work in student affairs in higher education, training, teaching in a variety of contexts, program administration, or community education. In addition to the general requirements of the college, candidates should provide a narrative that includes:

1. an integrated essay of approximately 1,000 words that includes a brief autobiography, referencing study in master’s degree and related experience, professional training, and credentials
2. overall goal to be accomplished through the program
3. future aspirations and professional development needs
4. tentative list of proposed coursework

Note: Candidates whose master’s degree and/or work experiences are not strongly related to adult education will be advised to apply to the master’s in adult education program.

Transfer Policy
Up to six post-master’s graduate credits may be accepted by the Certificate of Advanced Study admission committee, provided these credits relate to the CAS in adult learning and were earned no more than five years prior to matriculation in the CAS with a grade of B or better.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Counseling

The post-master’s certificate of advanced study (CAS) in counseling is designed to offer a broad range of professional development opportunities for practicing counselors. The overall goal of the certificate program is to enhance and enrich the counselor’s educational foundation and to give focus to advanced knowledge and skills that will shape future professional practice. The CAS in counseling requires 30 credit hours of graduate coursework. Students will work cooperatively with faculty to design a certificate program that is substantive, developmental and focused, and may also take advantage of special certification options in counseling supervision, play therapy, substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and couple and family therapy.

Special Admission Requirements
Candidates should have a master’s degree in counseling or allied field and, preferably, two years of experience in professional practice. In addition to the general requirements of the College, candidates should provide a proposed plan of study for the CAS that includes:

1. a brief autobiography, including the area of study in the master’s degree and related experience, professional training, and credentials;
2. overall goal to be accomplished through the program;
3. future aspirations and professional development needs;
4. proposed coursework, including a tentative list of courses or other curricular experiences.

Transfer Policy
Students may not transfer courses that were part of a master’s degree of fewer than 60 credits toward the CAS. Up to six post-master’s graduate credits may be accepted by the CAS admissions committee, provided these credits were earned no more than three years prior to matriculation in the CAS and were completed with a grade of B or better.

Students may be able to apply up to 12 credits that were part of a master’s degree that required 60 or more credits toward the CAS. These courses must be directly related to the student’s proposed CAS program of study, provided these credits are approved by the counselor education program faculty and were completed with a grade of B or better.

Self-Designed
With the assistance of their faculty advisor, students may design a program of study that fulfills their individual learning goals. This option may also be used to obtain state certification in rehabilitation or school counseling, or state licensure as a substance abuse counselor.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Educational Leadership

The post-master’s certificate of advanced study program in educational leadership is designed to meet the needs of practicing educators, including teachers, principals, curriculum directors, and superintendents, who are interested in pursuing advanced academic work in educational reform and leadership. The CAS requires 30 credit hours of graduate coursework beyond the master’s degree, including an introductory seminar and a 3-6 credit capstone experience. Students engage in careful reading of research and scholarship, oral and written presentations, and applied projects. As a result of completing this program, students will have demonstrated: self-assessment and reflective practice tools, skills, and habits of mind; research design and methodological decision-making skills; advanced oral and written communication skills; knowledge of current scholarship in educational reform and leadership; and capacity for connecting theory and practice in posing and solving educational problems. Maine certification as a principal, assistant principal, or curriculum coordinator may be earned through the CAS program.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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English as a Second Language

The post-master’s certificate of advanced study in English as a second language (ESL) is designed to meet the needs of classroom teachers, administrators, and other educators who want to pursue advanced graduate study in ESL and related areas and/or earn Maine endorsement as an ESL teacher, K-12. The CAS requires 30 credit hours of graduate coursework beyond the master’s degree, including a capstone experience. Students may design a program to suit their needs for advanced study. The program will vary depending on the master’s degree focus and the goals of the student. Participants will have considerable choice in designing coursework and projects, and will work closely with a faculty advisor.

For specific requirements please see the literacy education Web site at
www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/Literacy-Education/prog_materials.htm.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Literacy Education

The post-master’s certificate of advanced study program in literacy education is designed to meet the needs of classroom teachers, administrators, and other educators who want to pursue advanced graduate study in literacy education and related areas. The CAS requires 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, including a capstone experience. Students may design a program to suit their needs for advanced study. The program will vary, depending on the focus of the master’s degree and the student’s goals. Students will have considerable choice in designing coursework and projects, and will work closely with a faculty advisor. Maine certification as a literacy specialist may be earned through the CAS program. Please consult your advisor.

For specific requirements please see the literacy education Web site at
www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/Literacy-Education/prog_materials.htm.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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