> M.A. in Human Development
M.A. in Human Development
For four decades, the M.A. in Human Development has met the needs of adult learners seeking an integrated graduate program that allows them to combine academic interests with career goals.
A unique combination of scholarship, mentoring, and program flexibility creates a highly supportive environment in which students become experts in their fields and leaders in their professions and communities.
This low-residency, 35-credit program focuses on ethical and creative leadership, while providing the structure and support students need to accomplish their individual goals.
Graduates of the program have published both creative and scholarly works, increased their effectiveness in the workplace, and discovered their leadership potential. The possibilities are as limitless as the student’s desire to pursue knowledge.
Possible Fields of Study:
| Organizational Development |
Holistic Health/Wellness |
| Adult Education |
Healthcare Administration |
| Ethics |
Information Systems |
| Leadership |
Executive Coaching |
| Employee Assistance Counseling |
Career Coaching |
| Urban Studies |
Public Affairs |
| Environmental |
Gerontology |
| Social Justice |
Spirituality |
| Writing |
Hospice |
| Career Counseling |
Life Coaching |
| Philanthropy |
Gifted & Talented Education |
Any two or more of these fields may be combined into one 35 credit program. The only required courses are HD690 The Process of Human Development, HD691 Ethics & Social Responsibility and HD698 Writing the Position Paper.
Degree Requirements
| Required Human Development Courses |
4 cr. |
|
| Elective/Contract Courses |
31 cr. |
|
| Total |
35 cr. |
|
Required Human Development Courses: 4 cr.
HD690 The Process of Human Development (2 cr.)
This course is the first in a series of three required courses that provides a touchstone for students to meet in community as they progress through their individualized programs. This first course covers the history, Lasallian charism, philosophy, ethical expectations, and design of the program; the structure of learning contracts; the delineation and evaluation of learning objectives; the use of appropriate graduate level resources; guidelines for graduate level work and credits; reflective writing; and the establishment of professional, educational, and personal goals/vocation. This course is a prerequisite for all other courses.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Write learning objectives.
- Design contract learning assessments.
- Identify how the learning assessments address the contract learning objectives and the program outcomes.
- Structure a learning contract that reflects the SMU policies and procedures.
- Use basic technology and other supports for conducting scholarly research and writing.
- Reflect upon Lasallian charism and philosophy and its relationship to the student’s personal goals.
- Create a schedule for submitting and completing the first learning contract.
- Complete a learning contract, and be prepared to complete a portfolio and integration paper.
HD691 Ethics and Social Responsibility (1 cr.)
This course is the second in a series of three required courses that provides a touchstone for students to meet in community as they progress through their individualized programs. This course integrates a deeper examination of the Lasallian philosophy, ethics, and social responsibility into an application to the student's field. This course environment fosters a renewal of meaning and purpose in the student's graduate work alon with a further articulation of vocation and service to the community.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Evaluate the nature and power of principles of ethics of social responsibility and moral philosophy as applied in our daily lives, work, and service to community.
- Analyze Lasallian philosophy and how it applies to the student’s individualized program.
- Create a statement of meaning and purpose based on an analysis of the student’s sense of vocation.
HD698 The Process of Writing a Position Paper (1 cr.)
This is the final course in a required series of three courses that provides a touchstone for students to meet in a community as they progress through their individualized programs. This course addresses the elements of writing a position paper. The course provides the student with a review of APA style and skill development in stating and defending a position, conducting research, and professional writing. The course emphasizes applied ethics as an essential component of the position paper. Planning the student's own position paper and colloquium are featured.
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Incorporate the elements of writing a position paper into their paper.
- Use correct APA (or program standards) style.
- Create a scholarly literature review using APA (or program) standard style
- Create a position statement.
- Create a strategy for integrating and synthesizing scholarly research conducted throughout one’s program in support of the position.
- Identify the ethical issues related to their position and be able to apply ethics as social responsibility.
- Integrate and reflect on one’s personal and professional growth throughout the program.
