PACE Master's Degree Curriculum

The program requires the completion of at least 45 credits, this includes the Professional Studies Core (16 credits), Thematic Specialization (20-22 credits), Electives (7-9 credits), and Culminating Experience (4 credits minimum).

Students have considerable flexibility in shaping their thematic specialization and elective course work in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Professional Studies Core (16 credits required)

Students may complete the professional studies core at any point in their program. However, it is recommended that students complete EPFA 520 and EPFA 511 as early as possible.

PRINT ME--Program of Study

Foundations of Education (4) credits  

• EPFA 551 Social Foundations of Education

OR

• EPFA 554 Philosophy of Education

Research and Evaluation (4) credits

• EPFA 511 Principles of Educational Research and Data Analysis I

Organizational Systems (4) credits

• EPFA 568 Educational Organization and Administration

Adult Development (4) credits

• EPFA 520 Developmental Perspectives on Adult Learning

Thematic Specializations (20-22 credits)

The Thematic Specializations are to serve as a learning guide in assisting students with focusing and developing their program. They are not intended to be prescriptive. As such, working with their adviser students may choose one theme or combine courses from a variety of themes.

Students who are interested in the organization and administration of postsecondary institutions may find that this theme addresses their professional and career goals.

• EPFA 528 Leadership in Postsecondary Education (4)
• EPFA 521** Adult Learning and Motivation (4)
• EPFA 533 Planning and Budgeting in Postsecondary Education (4)
• EPFA 536 Postsecondary Curriculum (4)
• EPFA 537 Policy and Governance in Postsecondary Education (4)
• EPFA 538** Contemporary Issues in Postsecondary Education (4)
• EPFA 541 The Community College (4)
• EPFA 527 Legal Issues in Higher Education (4)

This theme is designed to serve the needs of students who are primarily interested in adult learning in either educational or professional settings.

• EPFA 521** Adult Learning and Motivation (4)
• EPFA 522†** Teaching Diverse Adult Learners (4)
• EPFA 523** Assessing Adult Learning (4)
• EPFA 529 Principles of Training and Development (4)
• EPFA 536 Postsecondary Curriculum (4)
• EPFA 538 Contemporary Issues in Postsecondary Education (4)

†Completion of EPFA 520 or EPFA 521 is recommended prior to enrollment
**Highly Recommended

This theme is designed primarily for Student Affairs professionals or those interested in a career in student affairs related work in two- and four-year colleges and universities and related organizations serving adults.

• EPFA 521** Adult Learning and Motivation (4)
• EPFA 525** Student Services in Higher Education (4)
• EPFA 526** Facilitating Student Success in Postsecondary Education (4)
• EFPA 527** Legal Issues in Higher Education (4)
• EPFA 538 Contemporary Issues in Postsecondary Education (4)
• EPFA 528 Leadership in Postsecondary Education (4)
  

**Highly Recommended

This theme was designed by educators and Training and Development professionals using the American Society for Training and Development’s “Models of Excellence.” The program is designed to meet the needs of educators who work in the business community or government agencies as trainers, training managers, training consultant, teachers, human resource and staff development personnel, and management development consultants.

• EPFA 521** Adult Learning and Motivation (4)
• EPFA 529* Principles of Training & Development (3)
• EPFA 530 Course Design and Evaluation (4)
• EPFA 531 Contemporary Issues in Training and Development (3)
• EPFA 532 Training Methods (3)
• EPFA 534 Leadership of the Training Function (3)
• EPFA 510 Developing Course Materials (3)
• EPFA 535 Organization Transformation through Training and Development (3)
• EPFA 510 Designing Multimedia and Web-Based Training (3)
• EPFA 510 Developing Multimedia and Web-Based Training (3)
• EPFA 510 Developing Intercultural Competence for Trainers (4)
• EPFA 510 Methods and Models of Intercultural Training (2)
  

*Pre-requisite for other Training and Development courses
**Highly Recommended

Electives (7-9 credits)

Elective credits should be related to the student’s overall program and selected in collaboration with an adviser. Students may enroll in graduate-level courses from within the Graduate School of Education or other departments within Portland State University. Students may also engage in independent study.

Culminating Experience (4 credits minimum)

Candidates for the Master’s degree with a specialization in Postsecondary, Adult & Continuing Education must select, in consultation with their faculty adviser, one of two culminating experiences: Comprehensive Examination or Thesis.

• The Comprehensive Examination is a projected-based experience that requires enrollment in EPFA 507: PACE Comps (4 credits), taken as Pass/No Pass and offered only during fall and spring terms. Students should have completed a minimum of 35 credits, including the Professional Studies Core, before enrolling in the course. The EPFA 507: PACE Comp course will meet 4 to 6 times during the term to help guide students through the completion of their project or in-depth paper. Students will present their projects/paper orally in the final meeting(s) of the course. Further options and guidelines for completing the comprehensive examination process will be discussed in the class.

• The Thesis option requires enrollment in 6-9 credits of EPFA 503: Thesis. The thesis is likely to require 2-4 quarters of additional work before completion of the program. This also requires the appointment of a Thesis Committee of two tenure-track faculty, one of whom must be from the EPFA Department, and a faculty member appointed by the Office of Graduate Studies. Visit the Office of Graduate Studies website for Thesis guidelines.