Reich College of Education

The ASU Higher Education Program offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Higher Education, with a concentration in Adult and Developmental Education.  The purpose of this concentration is to prepare individuals to teach or administer developmental education and learning assistance programs; adult literacy, basic education, and GED programs; English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs; vocational/technical programs; or adult education/training programs offered by community agencies.  Graduates are typically employed in the following types of positions:

• basic skills/developmental education instructors
• faculty in vocational/instructional programs
• ESOL instructors
• learning specialists
• tutorial coordinators
• professional developers/trainers
• program directors or coordinators
• leaders in adult and developmental education

The Adult and Developmental Education concentration is offered off-campus only, through ASU's distance education program. Current cohorts are:

• Cohort in Wilkes County - We are currently accepting applications for an off-campus cohort to begin in Fall 2012.
  Application Deadline: July 1 (June 1 priority).  View a Powerpoint presentation about the cohort.
• Cohort in Catawba County (Fall 2009 – Summer 2013)
• Cohort in Cleveland County (Spring 2011 – Fall 2014)

Concentration Requirements

The Program of Study [PDF] lists the courses required for the M.A. in Higher Education, Adult and Developmental Education concentration.

Other requirements for the degree include:

• Thesis: Optional
• Language Proficiency: None Required
• Comprehensive Exam: Student must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination.

Appalachian State University also houses two centers celebrated for their contributions to national and state basic skills initiatives:

• National Center for Developmental Education:  Students in the Adult and Developmental Education concentration at ASU may participate in the acclaimed Kellogg Institute for credit towards their degree.

• Adult Basic Skills Professional Development Project: Students in the Adult and Developmental Education concentration may participate in the annual Institute for credit towards their degree.

For information about applying to the program, click here.

To see the Graduate Bulletin (2011-2012), click here.

For information about program scholarships, click here.

For more information about the M.A. program, contact Dr. Amy Trawick, Program Director (trawickar@appstate.edu / 828-262-2137)

For information about the distance education cohorts, contact Lisa Freeman (freemanlh@appstate.edu / 800-355-4084 ext. 2906).