Experiential Education
Graduate Programs
Description
Experiential Education prepares professionals and educators for effectively and ethically leading, teaching, and facilitating experiential learning for all learners–all ages, all abilities, all cultures, all identities.
Graduates serve across the nation and world as leaders in experiential education* as program owners and/or operators, public school and university faculty and staff, and leaders in non-profit or privately-operated organizations. The program serves as a gateway to career opportunities in project-based, problem/inquiry-based, place-based, service-based, and active learning settings and in outdoor, environmental, and adventure education.
* Experiential Education is a holistic, multi-modal approach to learning, teaching, and leading that integrates direct experience with focused reflection for developing new knowledge, relevant life skills, and socially-conscious dispositions.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experiential Education MS | MS - Master of Science |
|
34 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
For graduate program policies, including Admission requirements, please see https://grad.mnsu.edu/programs/ed.html.
Contact Information
Main Office: 213 Highland Center North
Main Office: (507) 389-2127http://ahn.mnsu.edu/rpls/http://ahn.mnsu.edu/rpls/msexperientialed/
Faculty
Program Coordinator
- Julie A. Carlson, Ed.D.
Faculty
500 Level
Credits: 1-3
Prerequisites: none
600 Level
Credits: 3
An independent project-based course intended to immerse beginning graduate students into a 45-hour direct experience upon which they will complete a project and reflect on their own personal growth and learning.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
An independent project-based course whereby the student will design and/or facilitate an extensive learning experience for others. Designing and facilitating combined should total 45 hours.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
A field experience that will further the learning of the student in Experiential Education. This course can be repeated in the degree plan of study.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
A field experience which typically entails working with a specific person or organization. This course can be repeated in the degree plan of study.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Examines the theory of Experiential Education. Historical and contemporary writers will be read.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Courses that are routinely taught under Selected Topics include: Trends and Issues in Experiential Education, Experiential Education and School Reform, Research Problems in Experiential Education, and Controversial Issues in Experiential Education.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This 3-credit course offers an introduction to research methods as well as tools for becoming a critical consumer of the body of research that exists in experiential education. Class members will conduct secondary research that can be used toward the completion of a Capstone Project. The course design will offer a combination of readings, individualized secondary research, presentations, and interactive learning exercises.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course engages learners in critical examination of definitional and controversial issues in experiential education and utilizes a variety of large and small group discussion, readings, and interactive exercises to investigate these issues. Class members will research and present their positions through group and individual forums.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Students will examine the writings of individuals who have made contributions to experiential learning and educational reform. Current national education reform initiatives will provide examples of how K-12 education and higher education have reformed teaching methods and educational practices. Learners will apply information to develop programs or curricula useful to their specific disciplines and interests.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Students will acquire a solid foundation of teaching methods in experiential learning. Learners will discuss and practice implementation of various teaching approaches that promote experiential learning including active learning, project based learning, service learning, place based education, and problem based learning. Learners will design curriculum that promotes hands-on learning and develop performance based assessment tools. Learners will collaboratively develop lessons that utilize experiential learning, and create assessment tools to align with lessons. This course meets program needs and introduction of assessment tools that align with experiential learning.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
A field-based course typically used for independent research or projects. This course can be repeated in the degree plan of study.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
This course provides a venue for the completion of the Creative Project, one of the options for the graduate Capstone Experience required by the College of Graduate Studies and Research. The intent of a Creative Project is to develop a professional project that provides evidence of mastery in selected areas within the field of experiential education.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
This course is used for students who did not complete their APP during their research class and for students who did or are planning to take their research course through another department, thereby completing the APP independently.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
This course entails the creation of assessment portfolios that document student's progress and growth throughout their master's program. Portfolio components will include coursework, field experiences, essays, learning proposals, reflection papers, and capstone experiences.Prerequisites: none
