Description
Community-Based Education and Leadership Program Description
The Master of Arts in Community-Based Education and Leadership is designed to meet the growing demand for highly qualified professionals to teach, lead, and manage in non-formal education settings. Practicing professionals will gain the knowledge and skills to become effective educators, managers, and change leaders in their organizations. Upon completion of the master’s program, graduates will have the ability to meet the needs of diverse populations of learners, build transformative learning communities, and foster collaborative partnerships within the expanding non-formal educational sector. The master’s degree will prepare students to serve in a variety of educational and leadership positions with nonprofit organizations, private and public educational institutions, and government and community agencies.
Objectives
Community-Based Education and Leadership Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Community-Based Education and Leadership, students will be able to:
- Analyze formal, informal, and non-formal theories and frameworks of education.Examine the developmental and cognitive characteristics of learners through the life span.
- Explore sociological and cultural influences on communities, organizations, and groups.
- Create, implement, and assess community-based educational programs.
- Design engaging and innovative learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills of learners.
- Synthesize multiple sources of evidence to make decisions.
- Use multiple modes of communication to advocate for community-based education.
- Create management and strategic plans for the sustainability of community-based educational organizations.
- Foster collaboration among educational institutions, public, private and non-profit agencies, and other community stakeholders.
Policies
Community-Based Education and Leadership Program Policies
The grade of "C" is the lowest acceptable grade, and only one can be awarded during the program. A student may repeat one course in a graduate program one time. Once a student has repeated a course, the student will not be permitted to repeat any other courses. If a student repeats a course, only the latter grade is used in computing the grade point average. However, all courses taken become a part of the student's academic record. Further, a student may withdraw from each graduate course one time only.
A minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average on all graduate work attempted is required for graduation. Only one grade of "C" may be applied toward the GPA requirement. Degree requirements must be completed within seven years after the first course applied to the degree was completed.
Requirements
Required Courses (24 Credits):
Community-Based Education and Leadership Courses:
| CBEL 610 | Foundations and Frameworks of Community-Based Education | 3 credit |
| CBEL 612 | Innovative Teaching and Learning for 21st Century Skills | 3 credits |
| CBEL 614 | Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation | 3 credits |
| CBEL 616 | Community Engagement and Leadership | 3 credits |
| CBEL 720 | Community-Based Education and Leadership Capstone | 3 credits |
Theory and Research Courses:
| ED 604 | Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development of Learners | 3 credits |
| ED 606 | Socio-political and Cultural Influences on Families, Organizations, and Communities | 3 credits |
| ED 608 | Action Research and Data Driven Decision-Making | 3 credits |
Elective Courses (12 credits):
Students select four courses from at least two of the following areas of focus:
Communication Courses:
| CM 600 | Cultures and Communication | 3 credits |
| CM 605 | Communication Ethics in the Public Sphere | 3 credits |
| CM 620 | Conflict Communication and Leadership | 3 credits |
Management and Leadership Electives:
| CBEL 670 | Volunteer Development | 3 credits |
| CBEL 672 | Advocacy & Fundraising in Community-Based Organizations | 3 credits |
| CBEL 674 | Legal Issues and Risk Management in Community Organizations | 3 credits |
| BTM 644/HCM 644 | Project Management | 3 credits |
| BTM 635/HCM 635 | Innovative Leadership & Management | 3 credits |
Teaching and Learning Electives:
| CBEL 662 | Principles and Practices of Youth Development | 3 credits |
| CBEL 664 | Teaching & Learning for Specialized Populations | 3 credits |
| ED 510 | Psychology and Development of Adolescents | 3 credits |
| ED 605 | STEM Curriculum Principles and Practices | 3 credits |
| ED 620 | Literacy Strategies in the STEM Content Areas | 3 credits |
| ED 625 | Advanced Literacy Strategies in the STEM Content Areas | 3 credits |
| ED 630 | Principles of Special Education | 3 credits |
| ED 690 | Issues in STEM Education | 3 credits |
Certificate Option
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Community-Based Education and Leadership
Certificate Description
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Community-Based Education and Leadership is designed for practicing professionals in non-formal and informal education settings who want to expand their knowledge and skills to become effective educators and change leaders in their organizations. Upon completion of the certificate, graduates will have the ability to meet the needs of diverse populations of learners, build transformative learning communities, and foster collaborative partnerships within the expanding non-formal educational sector. Coursework for this 15-credit hour certificate option can be completed online.
Due to the unique blend of coursework including understanding 21st century teaching and learning as well as organizational management and leadership, this certificate benefits a variety of positions, including and not limited to the following: athletic coaches, community education leaders, higher education professionals, non-profit leaders, and youth development specialists.
Certificate Outcomes
Upon completion of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Community-Based Education and Leadership certificate, graduates will be able to:
-
Analyze formal, informal, and non-formal theories and frameworks of education.
-
Examine the developmental and cognitive characteristics of learners through the life span.
-
Explore sociological and cultural influences on communities, organizations, and groups.
-
Create, implement, and assess community-based educational programs.
-
Design engaging and innovative learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills of learners.
-
Synthesize multiple sources of evidence to make decisions.
-
Use multiple modes of communication to advocate for community-based education.
-
Create management and strategic plans for the sustainability of community-based educational organizations.
-
Foster collaboration among educational institutions, public, private and non-profit agencies, and other community stakeholders.
Certificate Policies
The grade of "C" is the lowest acceptable grade, and only one can be awarded during the completion of the certificate option. A student may repeat one course one time in a graduate program or certificate option. Once a student has repeated a course, the student will not be permitted to repeat any other courses. If a student repeats a course, only the latter grade is used in computing the grade point average. However, all courses taken become a part of the student's academic record. Further, a student may withdraw from each graduate course one time only.
A minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average on all graduate work attempted is required for graduation. Only one grade of "C" may be applied toward the GPA requirement. Certificate requirements must be completed within seven years after the first course applied to the program was completed.
Community-Based Education and Leadership Electives
Students will select two courses from the following focus areas.
Management-Leadership Electives
| CBEL 612 | Innovative Teaching and Learning for 21st Century Skills | 3 credits |
| CBEL 614 | Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation | 3 credits |
| CBEL 662 | Principles and Practices of Youth Development | 3 credits |
| CBEL 664 | Teaching & Learning for Specialized Populations | 3 credits |
| ED 604 | Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development of Learners | 3 credits |
Teaching and Learning Electives
| CBEL 670 | Volunteer Development | 3 credits |
| CBEL 672 | Advocacy & Fundraising in Community-Based Organizations | 3 credits |
| CBEL 674 | Legal Issues and Risk Management in Community Organizations | 3 credits |
| ED 608 | Action Research and Data Driven Decision-Making | 3 credits |
Required Courses
Students must complete the following 9 credits:
| CBEL 610 | Foundations and Frameworks of Community-Based Education | 3 credit |
| CBEL 616 | Community Engagement and Leadership | 3 credits |
| ED 606 | Socio-political and Cultural Influences on Families, Organizations, and Communities | 3 credits |