HED 6100 - Higher Education in American Society
This required course examines key contemporary issues in higher education, focusing primarily on the American higher educational system. The course provides a historical context and emerging trends, with topics ranging from mission and vision, structure and governance, the funding of public and private institutions, demographic trends, characteristics of faculty, students and curricula, public perceptions of higher education, and the increasing regulatory role of government and accrediting agencies.
HED 6130 - Supervision in Higher Education (2 credits)
This course will explore keys to supervision as it intersects with human capital development, as outlined in the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies Rubrics. Students will learn the components of effective supervision, explore their own personal style of supervision, and develop strategies to empower staff and build teams. Through case studies, video clips, role-play, articles, and discussion, students will engage in hands-on assignments and activities to gain practical skills.
HED 6150 - Assessment in Student Affairs and Higher Education (2 credits)
This course will examine the role of assessment in student affairs and higher education, and provide a foundational introduction to designing and implementing assessment plans as an integral element of program development. A brief examination of the context driving the current Accountability Era, including questions from government entities and the public regarding the value of higher education to its students, grounds dialogue around the importance of identifying appropriate strategies across an institution to demonstrate impact. Students will study conceptual models for assessment, direct and indirect measures, learning goals and assessment design, and analysis and application of results. Case studies and exploration of current events will foster understanding of applying ethical standards when implementing assessment and collaborating with stakeholders across campus. The course will be oriented towards preparing students for entry level roles in student affairs and other administrative functional areas, but will briefly explore assessment issues in academic affairs and faculty life, senior leadership, governance, and regional accreditation. Students will apply their learning to designing an assessment plan for a program or activity within an administrative unit on Merrimack’s campus.
HED 6140 - Diversity and Social Justice in Higher Education
This required course will focus on social justice education (SJE) in the PreK-16 educational system. Its purpose is to develop a theoretical, conceptual, pedagogical, scientific and curricular foundation for SJE across all educational-type settings. Students examine systemic and curricular approaches to SJE in educational settings and develop a framework for implementing social justice programs across schools and communities.
HED 6265 - First Generation College Student Experience
First-generation (G-1) college students are defined by the National Center for Education Statistics as “undergraduates whose parents never enrolled in a postsecondary education.” This course is a practical and theoretical overview of what it means to be the “first in the family” to go to college. Students will be exposed to the practical perspective to university life of G-1 students, highlighting the many resources available on college campuses necessary for G-1 students to succeed. Topics covered will include the challenges of balancing life and school; financial aid and financial literacy; educational and experiential learning goals; importance for students to understand academic discourse and university in order to succeed as first generation students; family dynamics; cultural and social capital; and imposter phenomenon.
HED 6310 - College Student Development Theory
The college years are a time of significant personal, psychosocial, and cognitive growth for students, as they encounter and navigate various challenges typical to emerging adulthood. This course will familiarize students with the major theories of college students’ development, and explore the creation of environments and contextual factors that facilitate this growth. Multicultural identity development will also be a focus of this course.
HED 6320 - Leadership Theory and Practice in Higher Education
Leadership in higher education is dynamic, often defying simple theoretical explanation or consistently applied platitudes. The diversity of leadership roles in higher education demand a wide variety of styles and strategies. Students will be acquainted with leadership theory in higher education as it is practiced by governing boards, administration, faculty, and other stakeholders, and will develop a leadership philosophy reflecting the core components of visionary leadership in the face of change.