Curricula > Higher Education Program Course Descriptions

CTCH 592: Family Matters: Family, Community, & the College Experience of Students of Color (3)
The course examines the critical role of family and community in the life and college experiences of students of color. The course will explore the various ways that higher education institutions approach familial inclusion as well as the various ways that these institutions devalue family (marking healthy adjustment by social distance away from family, using labels such as helicopter parents, etc). Participants will interactively engage the subject through discussions with undergrads and visits to campus programs that focus on family (both on and off George Mason’s campus).

CTCH 601 The Community College (3)
Studies the institutional character of the community college, including a review of its history, purpose, clientele, organization, finance, and social function. Attention is given to current issues facing community colleges. Course serves as a requirement for DA degree and MAIS/CCT Certificate.

CTCH 602 College Teaching (3)
Familiarizes students with issues that affect teaching and learning and provides basic tools to use in the classroom. Students will learn how to plan a course and develop a syllabus how to promote learning among a diversity of students, and a variety of classroom assessment techniques. Course is required for DA degree and MAIS/CCT Certificate.

CTCH 603 Teaching with Technology (3)
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with computer operations; basic skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic presentation software applications; basic Internet and electronic database research skills.

Provides students with an overview of technology tools available to enhance classroom and online learning. Examines issues related to the use of technology in teaching and learning and guides students in the development of effective technology-enhanced learning activities for undergraduate students. Course serves as a requirement for DA degree and MAIS/CCT Certificate.

CTCH 604 The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (3)
Provides students with an overview of the movement in higher education in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Focuses on ways that students learn, how learning can be improved, and different methods of conducting research into teaching and learning. Required for DA and certificate, elective for other degrees.

CTCH 605 Curriculum and Program Design and Assessment (3)
Prerequisites: The Community College, College Teaching, Teaching with Technology, and The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Prepares students to design, implement and assess new courses, curricula, and programs.

The relationships of courses and curricula to larger programs and institutional goals will be examined. Explores issues of program planning and administration, such as documenting need, generating cost- estimates, and assembling a strong case for new programs. Required for DA and certificate, elective for other degrees.

CTCH 606 Diversity in Higher Education (3)
Explores instructional interactions and communication strategies for diverse learner populations.  Includes discussion of sociological, behavioral, and cognitive theory on culture.

CTCH 621 Higher Education in the United States
This course is a study of higher education from the colonial period to present; it examines the philosophic, political, social, and economics forces that have influenced their development. It explores today’s issues and challenges. Required for MAIS/Higher Education.

CTCH 622 Organization and Administration in Higher Education
Prerequisite: CTCH 621 Higher Education in the United States)

This course provides concepts of organization and administration in contemporary institutions from the macro to micro perspectives. Study of theory and practice of the organization as it relates to governance, structure, and management of the institution. Required for MAIS/Higher Education.

CTCH 624 Finance and Fiscal Management in Higher Education
This course provides an overview of higher education finance and fiscal management. It is a study of the nature, goals and basic principles of business management, finance and budgeting practices in the contemporary college and university setting. It addresses issues and challenges of revenue trends, the impact of enrollment growth, and policy decisions. This course combines the theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

CTCH 626 Institutional and Program Assessment in Higher Education
Assessment is a major factor in educational reform and some form of assessment exists on most U.S. campuses. Institutional assessment is often required by state legislators and is required by all regional and most specialized accrediting agencies. Institutions also rely on assessment to evaluate curricular and student life programs. Responsible administrators, committed to educational improvement use assessment as a tool for making informed decisions about programs. Faculty committed to student learning use assessment as a tool to improve their instruction. This course will give students an opportunity to learn valuable applied research skills and to design and implement an assessment plan. Students will work on real projects with George Mason departments and offices.

CTCH 641 Introduction to Counseling
This course is designed to introduce students to the profession of counseling and practice in various settings. The history and development of the profession, national associations, ethical codes, and standards for counselor preparation and credentials are examined, as well as counselor roles, functions, and responsibilities.

CTCH 643 Counseling Theory and Practice
This course will explore contemporary approaches to counseling, emphasizing the application of theoretical models appropriate to counseling individuals in the higher education setting. The course will present an overview of the major theoretical perspectives on human behavior and individual counseling interventions, with focus on understanding individual experience in a socio-cultural context. Counseling strategies and techniques associated with different theories will be discussed.

CTCH 644 Student Services In Higher Education
Student Services In Higher Education introduces students to the student services (student affairs) arena.  Individuals in this course are exposed to the origins and theoretical foundations of the profession by way of readings and other course material, guest speakers, on and off site experiences, etc.  The course provides an opportunity for those interested in the profession to gain a better understanding of the field and the competencies needed to be successful, as well as provide a good understanding of concepts on which the remaining MAIS-HE program coursework focuses.  It also provides individuals who already have some experience and/or exposure to the field with a firmer grasp of mission of student services, particularly how the profession complements the academic component of the institution of higher learning.

CTCH 645 The Contemporary College Student
The Contemporary College Student course is designed to give the prospective student services/student affairs practitioner a view of the populations and environments to which many hours and tremendous effort will be devoted, leading to the students’ successful matriculation and ultimate academic goal achievement. Given the considerably diverse nature of individuals attending colleges and universities today, it is imperative that those who work in the collegiate environment have a sense of whom they are working with and the ecological factors that impact those individuals. This course provides exposure to many of the often complex issues student face and offers opportunities for those in the class to explore paths towards resolution.

CTCH 685 Practicum (3)
The practicum (CTCH 685) is an essential part of the Higher Education degree program. It is a supervised on-the-job experience in an approved college or university setting or public agency involved with higher education. The field experience is accompanied by regularly scheduled seminars designed to provide constructive evaluation and analysis of the student’s supervised

experience.

CTCH 792 Special Topics in Higher Education (1-6)
Prerequisite: Admission to the doctoral program, or permission of instructor.  The course covers current issues in teaching and learning in higher education.  The course may be repeated for credit when the topic is different.  Topics include: "Higher Education Law," "Research Writing,"and Leadership in Higher Education," and more.

CTCH 885 Internship in College Teaching and Administration (3)
Prerequisites: Admission to the  doctoral or certificate program and approval of advisor and Internship Coordinator; CTCH 601 or CTCH 621, 6 additional credits of core requirements and 3 in the knowledge area; students must contact the program at least one semester prior to enrolling.

Supervised internship at a community college or in a non-teaching higher education setting such as a government agency, or administrative office in higher education to develop skills applicable to college-based teaching, higher education administrative or policy.  A minimum of 180 hours for three credits for doctoral students or 150 hours for MAIS or certificate students is required.  Hours include research and writing time.

ELECTIVES:
Students are encouraged to review with their advisors course offerings from other GMU disciplines to determine if these courses are appropriate for the students’ academic and professional goals. Once electives are chosen, students must receive signed permission from their advisors.

CTCH 897 Directed Reading in College Education (1-6)
Prerequisites: Admission to the doctoral program and approval of program director. Independent reading on a topic agreed to by the student and faculty member.   Course is for letter grade only.

DISSERTATION COURSES

CTCH 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of at least one internship, all course work and successful completion of comprehensive exams/portfolio.
Work on a research proposal that forms the basis for the doctoral dissertation. Students are required to take at least 3 credits of proposal research (998).  Graded S/NC.

CTCH 999 Doctoral Dissertation (1-9)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Doctoral Dissertation Proposal, two internships, and an appointed dissertation committee. Doctoral dissertation research and writing under the direction of a dissertation committee. Continuous registration required (fall/spring).  Students who plan to graduate in the Summer semester must be registered at that time. Graded S/NC.

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