Take rigorous and intellectually stimulating courses…
Our program offers small classes taught using a variety of engaging teaching approaches, including discussion seminars, problem-based learning, case studies, and team projects. This approach allows students to engage real-world problems and gain meaningful practical experience.
Core courses and in-field electives
Within their respective degree programs, students take courses that
acquaint them with trends, issues, and theories in the field of higher
education. They can develop emphasis areas in policy, organization,
academics, and students.
Coursework in foundations
In addition to higher education courses, students develop a broad understanding
of the field by taking courses in history, multiculturalism, philosophy,
and ethics, providing the foundation of higher education practice.
Research courses
Higher education students also take classes in research methodology
that provide the skills necessary to conduct original research and become
an informed consumer of research.
Experiential education
Students have the ability to participate in an internship designed to
augment their coursework with practical experience. Interns are placed
in offices throughout The University of Alabama and surrounding institutions
where they engage in projects and activities to gain experience in the
operations of particular higher education units.
The faculty members were extremely supportive and worked with me every step of the way to ensure that I completed the program within the time frame I set. I made friends and professional contacts through the program that will last a lifetime.
Angela J. Evans, Ed.D., 2005 Graduate
Director of Undergraduate University Admissions, Kennesaw State University
AHE 500 Perspectives on Higher Education Administration. Three
hours.
How higher education has been shaped by the major trends in American
society, how it has contributed to the development of this country,
and what may be expected of higher education in the future. Higher education
is also viewed in institutional and conceptual forms from the perspective
of students, faculty, and administrators.
AHE 510 The Community and Junior College. Three hours.
An overview of the development, format, issues, and purposes of the
contemporary community and junior college.
AHE 511 Orientation in Higher Education. Three hours.
Introduction to structure, processes, and study of higher education
organizations, including community colleges, technical schools, and
universities.
AHE 520 The Student in Higher Education. Three hours.
A survey of the needs, characteristics, and cultures of the American
college student within various types of higher education institutions.
AHE 530 Law in Higher Education. Three hours.
Investigates and explicates the structure and background of law and
equity in higher education, with emphasis on how statutory law, administrative
law, and case law respond to and affect faculty, students, administrators,
and trustees. Constitutional law, contracts, torts, the law of private
associations, civil rights statutes, executive orders, injunctions,
specific performance, corporate and partnership law, law of agency,
and laws on liability are studied as they apply to higher education.
AHE 540 Organization and Administration of Higher Education.
Three hours.
Overview of the organization, administrative roles and positions, administrative
process, and administrator relationships within various institutions
of higher learning.
AHE 550 Finance and Business Affairs in Higher Education. Three
hours.
An overview of the budgeting processes, sources of revenue, types of
expenditures, and issues and innovations in financing various types
of contemporary institutions of higher education. Also a survey of the
various business and planning operations vital to the operation of colleges
and universities.
AHE 560 Comparative Higher Education. Three hours.
This course is designed to provide a cross-cultural perspective on issues
related to higher education throughout the world. The course will focus
on topics such as reform, students and student activism, internal and
external governance of universities, unions, and the academic profession
in key world regions.
AHE 590 Independent Study in Higher Education. Three hours.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
Directed independent study in the literature of higher education, designed
for the student seeking a minor or pursuing master's work in the program
in higher education (AHE).
AHE 591 Seminar in Higher Education. Three hours.
A topical seminar on a current issue or problem in higher or postsecondary
education. On occasion, the seminar involves travel or on-site visitations
to institutions or oversight bodies.
AHE 599 Thesis Research. Three to six hours.
Directed thesis research.
AHE 600 Student Development Theory I. Three hours.
Introduction to the theoretical basis for the delivery of services through
organizational student development, and a study of the research basis
for student development.
AHE 601 Professional Seminar in Higher Education. Three hours.
This course is designed for students newly admitted to the doctoral
program in higher education administration. As such, the seminar concentrates
on issues and concerns that arise as part of the doctoral experience.
Course activities and experiences may vary according to the professional
experience and academic background of course participants.
AHE 602 Problems in Higher Education. Three hours.
Seminar studying the current issues and trends related to higher education.
AHE 603 College and University Teaching. Three hours.
An intensive graduate seminar that provides an overview of the issues,
principles, and practices associated with effective college teaching.
Topics include learning and diversity; teaching models and strategies;
teacher and student behaviors and learning outcomes; and instructional
improvement strategies.
AHE 607 Student Development Theory II. Three hours.
Provides a comprehensive study of student growth and development during
the college years. The course is designed to address professionals in
student affairs and higher education administration.
AHE 610 Academic Cultures and Learning in Academe. Three hours.
An intensive examination of the student, faculty, and administrative
cultures in higher education environments. The impact of various internal
and external factors on institutional culture and behavior will also
be studied, particularly as they relate to teaching, learning, research,
and service.
AHE 620 Power, Politics, and Change in Higher Education Systems.
Three hours.
A study of higher education institutions as complex organizations within
a framework of local, state, and federal domains. Attention is focused
on the institution as a dynamic political entity that continually undergoes
change. State-level coordination and systems behavior are also examined.
AHE 632 Affirmative Action Law. Three hours.
An examination of anti-discrimination legislation and litigation and
their impact on the university, especially in light of the judicial
revolution in interpretation of the 11th Amendment.
AHE 635 Seminar in Continuing Education. Three hours.
AHE 636 Continuing Education Operations. Three hours.
The course addresses the programmatic operations of continuing education
as it relates to mission, clientele, marketing, program planning, facilities,
and delivery.
AHE 641 Personnel and Human Resource Management in Higher Education.
Three hours.
Need for and types of personnel; recruitment, advancement, and security
of personnel; salaries, wages, and benefits; and problems peculiar to
college personnel.
AHE 642 Institutional Research and Assessment in Higher Education.
Three hours.
An overview of the institutional research and analysis techniques utilized
in contemporary higher education. The course is configured for those
with an interest in conducting institutional research and/or working
in offices of institutional research on the campus, system, and/or state
level.
AHE 643 Grant Writing and Contract Management. Three hours.
Prerequisite: AHE 630 or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the legal principles of contracts and grants in higher
education, including how to identify funding sources, make the proposal,
and manage the project. Statutory, administrative, and case law will
be studied as they relate to making the proposal and managing the project.
AHE 644 Academic Program Development and Evaluation in Higher
Education. Three hours.
Design and management of academic programs; study of institutional structures
for academic affairs; practice in program review for instructional improvement;
and overview of graduate programs (general and liberal education, as
well as occupational and professional education).
AHE 690 Directed Doctoral Study in Higher Education. Two to
six hours.
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and prior approval of study
topic.
Directed individual study and analysis of a problem confronting higher
education. Note: Frequently, special one-time-only seminars focusing
on a particular aspect of higher education are offered by program faculty
under this course number.
AHE 699 Dissertation Research. Three to twelve hours.
Directed dissertation research in the field of higher education. Enrollment
is subject to program regulations and permission of the student's dissertation
committee chairperson. Also offered in summer school.