“I really liked the fact that there was a lot of freedom with my electives that allowed me to focus on advising and counseling.” – Judi Brewer

Recommended Coursework for Focused Areas of Study

The following shows the different areas of interest you could pursue through coursework in the Adult and Higher Education programs.

Required, Introductory Core Courses

  • HRD 600 History & Philosophy of Adult Education (MS, CAS)
  • HRD 631 The Adult Learner (MS, CAS)
  • EDU 600 Research Methods and Techniques (MS)

Required, Final Year Courses

  • CAS Program: HRD 685 CAS Completion Project
  • MS Degree Program: 
  • Field Study Course: HRD 687 Internship OR HRD 698 Directed Study
  • HRD 649 Capstone Seminar in Adult & Higher Education
  • HRD 685, HRD 687, and HRD 698 require advance planning and development of a proposal. Instructor approval is needed for enrollment.

Focus Areas

The following are areas of focus that you could choose through middle core and elective courses.

Middle Core (9 credits) 

  • HRD 633 Leadership in Adult and Higher Education
  • HRD 636 Planning Programs for Adult Learners
  • HRD 667 Action Research and Program Evaluation
  • HRD 601 Marketing Training and Adult Education

Note: Additional middle core courses can also count for elective credit. Other electives from the USM schedule/transfer credit may also be selected for elective credit

Electives (12 credits) 

  • HRD 554 Foundations in Academic Advising
  • HRD 555 Introduction to Student Affairs in Higher Education
  • HCE 604 Career Development
  • HRD 500 College Mental Health
  • HRD 646 Global Perspectives of Adult Education and Practices
  • HRD 699 Independent Study to pursue topic of interest not already represented in available courses

Middle Core (9 credits)

  • HRD 540 Mindfulness in Adult Learning
  • HRD 550 Uses of Technology in Adult Learning
  • HRD 630 Facilitating Adult Learning
  • HRD 636 Planning Programs for Adult Learners
  • HRD 667 Action Research and Program Evaluation
  • HRD 601 Marketing Training and Adult Education

Note: Additional middle core courses can also count for elective credit. Other electives from the USM schedule/transfer credit may also be selected for elective credit

Electives (12 credits)

  • HRD 639 The Heart of Teaching
  • EDU 562 Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
  • EDU 561 Aspects of English Language
  • EDU 559 Aspects of Reading for Multilingual Learners
  • HRD 500 College Mental Health
  • HRD 646 Global Perspectives of Adult Education and Practices
  • HRD 699 Independent Study to pursue topic of interest not already represented in available courses

Middle Core (9 credits)

  • *HRD 633 Leadership in Adult and Higher Education
  • HRD 540 Mindfulness in Adult Learning
  • HRD 550 Uses of Technology in Adult Learning
  • HRD 601 Marketing Training and Adult Education
  • HRD 630 Facilitating Adult Learning
  • HRD 636 Planning Programs for Adult Learners
  • HRD 667 Action Research and Program Evaluation

Electives (12 credits)

  • *EDU 678 School Law
  • *EDU 679 Evaluation and Supervision of School Personnel
  • *EDU 683 School Finance
  • EDU 659 Special Education Law for School Leaders (if need special education course on a transcript)
  • EDU 562 Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom

*Required for Certification

Note: Please work closely with Mike Katz (Education Advisor) to align with current certification standards

Middle Core (9 credits)

  • HRD 540 Mindfulness in Adult Learning
  • HRD 550 Uses of Technology in Adult Learning
  • HRD 601 Marketing Training and Adult Education
  • HRD 630 Facilitating Adult Learning
  • HRD 633 Leadership in Adult and Higher Education
  • HRD 636 Planning Programs for Adult Learners
  • HRD 667 Action Research and Program Evaluation

Electives (12 credits) Any additional middle core courses can count towards elective credit.

  • HRD 646 Global Perspectives of Adult Education and Practices
  • HRD 699 Independent Study to pursue topic of interest not already represented in available courses
  • EDU 562 Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
  • SWO 575 Gender and Aging
  • LOS 550 Leading Across Cultures
  • LOS 611 Communication and Relationship Building
  • LOS 639 Women’s Ways of Leading: Building Partnerships, Creating Change

Note: Other electives from the USM schedule/transfer credit may also be selected for elective credit