FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY MASTER'S PROGRAM

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

PROGRAM STATEMENT

The Florida State University Program in Higher Education prepares individuals for positions of leadership in colleges and universities and related agencies whose activities impact higher education. Our degree programs have earned a national reputation for excellence in professional training.

Established in 1957, the program has been ranked among the top 10 in the United States during the past 30 years. In April, 2000, at the annual meeting of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), a ranking of College Student Personnel /Higher Education Graduate Programs (Gohn, Sandeen, et. al., 2000), found Florida State ranked fourth in doctoral programs and tenth among master's degree programs out of 180 degree programs in the United States.

PROGRAM MISSION

Our overall mission is to draw upon and apply knowledge from the broad areas of organizational theory, student development, public policy, as well as teaching and learning to improve the quality of practice in college and universities. Our graduates are expected to master a common core of knowledge about Higher Education. They develop high level inquiry skills, and skills in management and leadership. They become familiar with standards of professional practice in college teaching, student affairs, and instructional management. They define a personal code of professional ethics and values.

Outcomes of the program are realized and measured through a combination of course work, mentorships, independent study, and clinical experiences designed to enhance leadership, inquiry skills, and to explore ethical and moral issues in decision-making and in developing a community of higher learning. In addition to preparing our students, we are committed to serving the continuing professional development needs of educators in colleges and universities and leaders at the local, state, and national policy level whose efforts influence education at all levels.

Program Core Values

• We value a learning community in which students develop a framework of knowledge that enables them to think critically, articulate values, and put their knowledge and skills to use.
• We value collaborative relationships in which faculty, students, staff, and practicing professionals identify and share in the realization of mutually valued learning outcomes.
• We value an open community based upon democratic ideals in which freedom of expression is protected, civility is affirmed, and appreciation and understanding of individual differences are honored.
• We value a caring community in which the well-being of each person is important and a life-net supports every member.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

• Dr. Joseph C. Beckham: Dr. Beckham is Allan Tucker Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Florida State University. Dr. Beckham is currently a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Law and Education and the editorial advisory committee of West's Education Law Reporter.
• Dr. Beverly L. Bower: Dr. Bower has been the Director of the Hardee Center for Women in Higher Education and now serves as Associate Chair of the ELPS department. She has been an editor of the ASHE Reader on Community Colleges, presented extensively on community college issues, and is regularly engaged in research related to community colleges, women in higher education, and minority issues.
• Dr. Jon C. Dalton: Dr. Dalton is the Director of the Center for the Study of Values in College Student Development. He serves as Editor of the electronic Journal of College and Character published on the Internet at www.CollegeValues.org and is Senior Editor of About Campus, a bi-monthly magazine on undergraduate learning and development in college. He is a Past President of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and former Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida State University.
• Dr. Joy Gaston: Dr. Gaston is engaged in research on intercollegiate athletics and the advisement of varsity athletes as well as the role of student services in athletics. She has served on advisory boards for Sisters of the Academy (SOTA), the Holmes Group, and is conducting research on student affairs in the civil rights era.
• Dr. Robert A. Schwartz: Dr. Schwartz is program coordinator for the HE program and directs the certificate program in institutional research. He has published studies on the history of deans of women and men, as well as numerous articles on minorities and women in higher education.

Part-time Faculty

• Dr. Dale Lick: Past president of three universities, Florida State, University of Maine, and Georgia Southern. Dr. Lick divides his time between the Learning Services Institute at FSU, the Higher Ed program, and consulting on change management nationally.
• Dr. Terry Russell: Dr. Russell currently serves as the Executive Director of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) and is a Courtesy Professor in Higher Education. A sociologist , Dr. Russell has conducted many large scale research studies in a variety of areas related to higher education, focusing on science and engineering education. He previously served as Director of Professional Programs at the American Chemical Society before joining AIR in 1991.

Certificate Programs

• Certificate in Institutional Research: The Post Master's Certificate in Institutional Research is an 18-hour certificate program offered through the college of Education’s Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in conjunction with the Center for Professional Development. The program curriculum includes institutional research, administration of post-secondary institutions, and educational research courses.
• College Teaching Certificate: The College Teaching Certificate Program is an interdisciplinary minor that attracts graduate students from all disciplines within the University. It is designed to enhance teaching competencies at the postsecondary level, and is particularly appropriate for doctoral and masters students interested in a career in college teaching. At the completion of the required twelve credit hours, the student receives a certificate and a notation on the college transcript that the certificate has been awarded.

Special areas of interest at FSU

• Center for the Study of Values in College Student Development: The center is an academic organization at Florida State University that sponsors research and publications, hosts professional meetings, and provides recognition programs on topics related to the moral and civic education of college students. The Center sponsors the electronic Journal of College and Character and the Character Clearinghouse. This electronic Journal and web site are supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
• Hardee Center for Women in Higher Education: The Hardee Center for Women in Higher Education, established at Florida State University in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 1977, provides coordination, direction and focus in the areas of promoting women in management and administrative positions in higher education. The Center is committed to identifying and assisting in the solution of problems of women in both preparation for and placement in administrative positions in higher education.

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Undergraduate degree from accredited college or university required
• A 3.0 or higher GPA for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
• Transcripts of all undergraduate work
• A Personal/Professional Resume
• Letter of Intent, explaining the basis of your pursuit of the degree
• Three Letters of Recommendation – at least one from an academic reference
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores - 1, 000 or higher preferred, will consider 850 combined verbal and math
• Work Experience: some work helpful but not required for masters degrees
• Deadline: We practice rolling admissions, so each application is reviewed as it is received. However, preference for assistantships and financial aid is given to those admitted before February 1 each year. A Visiting Day is held each February for admitted students.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs  (2005-2006):

PROGRAM FACULTY (Faculty members with areas of specialization and percentage of time devoted to the program.)

Last modified February 15, 2008
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