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PhD
Program Mission:
The
primary mission of the programs in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong
Education (HALE) is to prepare individuals for leadership positions
in a variety of postsecondary educational organizations. The
doctoral (PhD) program focuses on the processes and environments
emerging around the globe that are connecting learners with
knowledge in new ways. The
program enables students to examine changing perspectives
on postsecondary educational organizations, changing notions
of postsecondary teaching and learning, and the changing roles
of the students, teachers, researchers, and administrators
who work and study within these organizations.
PhD
Program Philosophy:
Professional knowledge is dynamic, requiring
practitioners to be knowledgeable of the "state of the
art", but also requiring them to participate in efforts
to question and push back the boundaries of professional understanding.
It requires scholars to examine the meaning and enactment
of effective professional practice. Leaders in educational
organizations must be able to support the needs of many types
of learners.
Moreover, the administration of complex postsecondary
education enterprises requires leaders who possess well-developed
personal and educational philosophies, a depth of understanding
and knowledge of education as a social institution, a broad
range of professional experiences in a number of institutional
programs and activities, a sound understanding of human and
organizational development theory, and well-developed educational
leadership and analytic skills.
The HALE PhD program provides students with
perspectives on current knowledge in postsecondary and adult
education and on methods of inquiry aimed at improving the
quality and ensuring the continued development of postsecondary
learning organizations. Through courses and other planned
learning experiences, students critically examine current
understandings of teaching, learning, administration, organizational
functioning, diversity, policy, student development and the
leadership process. They also analyze, assess, and conduct
research.
The
doctoral program in HALE is a result of extensive reflective
dialogue among faculty, students, alumni, and employment partners.
The product is a graduate experience that is intellectually
stimulating, professionally relevant, and that leads to research
that supports decision making and problem solving around the
key issues facing postsecondary institutions.
To
enhance its mission of preparing postsecondary educational
leaders for reflective practice, the program maintains active
relationships with a variety of colleges and universities,
community colleges, and other organizations throughout Michigan
and the nation. HALE is the home for a number of faculty-directed
scholarly and professional application projects involving
doctoral students in many capacities.
We
believe in the value of intellectual community, which we label
‘Community of Scholars’. Those studying in the
HALE doctoral program are expected to engage in the various
opportunities provided and/or to create opportunities for
sharing of ideas, critically reflecting on practice and collaborating
on research. Examples include the Faculty Speaker Series,
Graduate Research Colloquim, Ewigleben Policy Seminar, “Brown
Bag” conversations, scholarly colloquia, and dissertation
proposal and defense presentations. It is also an expectation
that doctoral students, as emerging postsecondary education
leaders and scholars, will contribute to the field through
involvement in professional associations at the state, regional,
national and/or international level.
PhD
Student Quotes:
“The
HALE doctoral program has been incredibly enriching for me
as both a scholar and a practitioner. As a scholar, I have
enjoyed the opportunity to explore a variety of innovative
and diverse perspectives on key issues impacting the higher
education landscape. As a practitioner, I have benefited from
the opportunity to consider ways that ongoing changes in higher
education impact the work that I do. For prospective students
who seek a program with dedicated faculty who are leaders
in the field and committed to student learning, fellow students
who are engaging and collegial, and a major university to
serve as a sort of learning lab, look no further.”
John
Jobson, HALE Doctoral Candidate and Assistant Director of
Student Life at Michigan State University
“The
HALE program was the most stimulating and nurturing intellectual
endeavor I have ever experienced. I was amazed at the accessibility
and helpfulness of the faculty and was able to stretch myself
as a scholar with their encouragement. My graduate student
peers have become trusted colleagues and collaborators. In
the program, I was able to build a very solid foundation from
which to launch my own faculty career, and I will always call
HALE my intellectual home and professional family.”
Andrea L. Beach, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership,Western Michigan
University ,Grand Rapids Graduate Center,Grand Rapids, Michigan
“I
came to MSU all the way from San Antonio, TX to attend the
HALE Ph.D Program because of its excellent reputation and
to expand my horizons. Thus far my experience here has transcended
any of my expectations I came in with. The HALE program has
provided me with so many student development opportunities,
I feel that I've been able to custom craft my program to my
interests. My only problem has been deciding which ones to
pursue. On top of this, the faculty are top notch and have
been very supportive during my time here at Michigan State.”
Jeremy
Hernandez’03, Graduate Assistant
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