The Master of Arts in Adult Education and Communications Technology (AECT) examines a variety of topics, including adult learning theory, adult education organizations, development and theories behind various media, and instructional design. The program consists of 36 credit hours and includes a thesis and non-thesis option as well as an optional Instructional Technology Specialist Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Academic Requirements
Semester Hours (credits)
Fall
| ACE 621 |
The Adult Learner* |
| ACE 623 |
Organization and Administration in ACE* |
| COMM 600 |
Instructional Design* |
| COMM 601 |
Media Production* |
Spring
| ACE 622 |
Program and Process Development in ACE* |
| COMM 614 |
Instructional Computing Basics* |
| COMM 631 |
Interactive Multimedia* |
| ACE 625 |
Facilitating Adult Learning* |
Summer
| GSR 615 |
Elements of Research** |
| ACE 750 |
Seminar in Technology and Adult Learning* |
| COMM 698 |
Internship* and or Elective** |
*Course only offered once per year in the indicated semester
**Course offered every semester
Thesis/Non-Thesis Option
Students can elect to do a thesis or take the non-thesis option. Students electing the thesis option must complete 30 hours of course credit and three hours of thesis credit (33 hours total) in which students will select a committee of at least three faculty members and complete a thesis project. Students electing the non-thesis option must complete a total of 36 hours of course credit (30 hours of coursework and six hours of internship and/or elective credit). Students in the non-thesis option may choose to complete the AECT program in one calendar year. To do this, students must begin coursework in the Fall and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. (Note: Students should check with their adviser when planning this option; most courses are only offered once during a calendar year.)
Elective Courses
AECT students may be required to take elective courses. Qualifying electives can be selected from the graduate courses offered at IUP or transferred to IUP from other institutions. The following link contains a list of graduate courses in the College of Education (COE Elective List Final) that qualify as electives for the AECT program. Because graduate courses and requirements differ from department to department and instructor to instructor, students are encouraged to contact the instructor or department for more information before registering for courses.
Internship
AECT students may opt to complete a three- or six-credit internship (COMM 698). For students wishing to acquire the Instructional Technology Specialist certification, an internship in a public school or intermediate unit is required. There are many things to have to remember about your internship. The Internship Checklist (Word .doc) is desgined to assist students in managing the internship process. For more information about the internship program, students are encouraged to read the AECT Internship Handbook, which contains complete information about the internship.
Instructional Technology Specialist Certification
AECT students can obtain the Pennsylvania Department of Education Instructional Technology Specialist Certification. This certification permits graduates to work in school, school districts, and intermediate units in Pennsylvania as an instructional technology professional. (Instructional Technology Certification)
Course Descriptions
ACE 621 The Adult Learner
This course focuses on the adult as learner, including physiological, psychological, and sociological characteristics and their effect on learning.
ACE 622 Program and Process Development in Adult and Community Education
This course is designed to present knowledge and skill building for present and future adult and community education practitioners. This how-to course examines concepts and practices relevant to the development of educational programs in traditional and nontraditional educational settings.
ACE 623 Organization and Administration in Adult and Community Education
This course introduces the student to basic theories of leadership management and organizational structure. It includes study and application of the tasks, tools, strategies, and leadership roles of adult and community education administrators.
ACE 625 Facilitating Adult Learning
This course examines teaching and learning theories as they relate to adults—the teaching-learning process in a variety of educational settings; instructional methods, techniques, and devices which are effective with adults; and instructional designs and evaluative methods effective in the teaching-learning process.
ACE 750 Seminar: Technology and Adult Learning
This course, by providing an advanced forum in which to research, discuss, and document current and emerging topics, issues, and applications in technology and adult learning (with special emphasis on distance learning), serves to synthesize these two fields of inquiry and offers students the opportunity to conceptualize and develop models and strategies for the integrated application of theory and practice learned in earlier courses. Literature reviews, topic analyses, and case studies are used to enhance awareness of critical issues and potential application in real-life settings.
COMM 600 Instructional Design and Development
This course examines the systems approach for the design, development, and evaluation of instructional material (print, video, multimedia, etc.). Students will learn about the history of instructional technology and its current applications. Each student will produce a self-instructional prototype that will require the student to systematically and creatively apply the concepts and rules learned in the class.
COMM 601 Media Production
Students learn how to systematically plan, produce, use, and evaluate media. Each student will produce different types of messages (motivational, informational, and instructional) using a variety of media.
COMM 614 Instructional Computing Basics
Students will be introduced to the practical use of the computer as a tool for enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in teaching/learning and training and development. Learners will explore the use of the computer in school and non-school teaching or training and development settings, conduct critical evaluation of computer-based instructional/training materials, and develop strategies for integrating computing into the total teaching/training and development environment. Current research in the area of instructional computing and its practical implications for teaching and training and development will also be discussed.
COMM 631 Interactive Multimedia
Students get an introduction to designing and producing computer-generated multimedia presentations and courseware for industry and education.
GSR 615 Elements of Research
Selection of a research problem, data collection, types of research, research reports, and use of the library and computer in connection with research problems are studied. Elements of statistics are introduced. This course provides background for preparation of the thesis and enables the student to become an intelligent consumer of products of academic research.
