An interdisciplinary and intercollegiate degree, the executive development program prepares graduates to provide educational services in a variety of social, industrial, health and human services, military, and governmental settings. A broad range of courses related to management and public agency administration are offered to prepare students to function in an executive, managerial, or supervisory capacity within government or not-for-profit agencies. The curriculum is not intended to prepare candidates for specific occupations.  The master¹s degree program can also be used as a cognate or minor in preparation for entry into the doctorate in Adult, Higher and Community Education.   The executive development for public service degree program is offered on campus in Muncie, online, and in the Indianapolis area through Ball State's School of Extended Education

Admission to the Program

The applicant must be admitted to the Graduate School.  Students must hold an earned bachelor¹s degree from an accredited higher education institution and meet one of the following criteria:

1. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75  on a 4.0 scale.
2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the latter half of the baccalaureate (the last two years)
3. A 3.0 grade point average in 9 semester hours of graduate course work approved in advance as a probationary plan of study by the Chairperson of the Department of Educational Studies, and approved by the Dean of  the Graduate School, and an acceptable score on the Graduate Records Examination.  Acceptable GRE scores are greater than 900 (verbal and quantitative measures combined) or 1350 (verbal, quantitative and analytical measures combined). Such students will be considered probationary students until the conditions of their graduate admission have been met.

Degree Options

*A minor may be earned by successfully completing three additional courses or 9 hours. You must contact the other department and the graduate school for permission.                                                                                                          *A double major may be earned with the master¹s degree for executive development for the public service by completing 5 selected courses (the required courses in Adult and Community Education) and 15 credit hours in the executive development program (4 other content areas). A form must be completed at the graduate school to have a double major.

Master¹s Degree in Executive Development for Public Service Course Requirements 

The M.A. degree program requires at least 30 hours of graduate course work.   Students must maintain grade point averages of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale.   Students must take at least 2 courses from Adult Education and may take one course from four of the following eight categories of study:

Adult Education, Program Evaluation, and Staff Development

 Business and Related Areas                                                                

Communication                                                                                         

Computer Science and Educational Technology                                        

Educational Administration and Supervision                                           

Gerontology, Health Science, and Wellness                                                  

Political Scienc                                                                                        

Psychology

It is highly recommended students choose one additional course from adult education, management, communication, political science or psychology courses to complement their skills and competencies and to sharpen their public service and non-profit organizational focus.

Students also must take a research course.                                                         And also are able to complete an internship for 3-6 credits if they wish.

Course Selection:

Courses for the Executive Development master¹s degree program may be selected from the following offerings:    Adult Education, Program Evaluation, & Staff Development

#Indicates course(s) available to fulfill the research requirement.

Business and Related Areas

Note: (No more than 15 hours may be taken from the College of Business)   In order to obtain the Business Certificate, apply with the Grad school at point of admissions and take 12 credits of the following courses.

(To take the Business Essentials Certificate, follow this link:

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/MBA/AcademicsandAdmissio

ns/ProgramsofStudy/BusinessEssentialsCertificate/CoreCourses.aspx)

All Courses offered via IHETS Distance Ed TV or Webcasting through Continuing Education.

Computer Science and Educational Technology

Educational Administration

Gerontology, Health Science, and Wellness

Political Science and Public Administration

Psychology

# Indicates that it fulfills the research requirement

Public Relations and Communication Studies

Research Requirements 

In addition, in order to meet their research course requirements, students often elect one of the following courses on campus, online or in the Indianapolis area. The research requirement cannot be a transfer course from another higher education institution.

Internship 

Students may elect a 2 or 3 credit hour internship with a business or not-for-profit firm under the graduate course heading:

EDAC 699-Internship in Adult and Community Education.

This field experience or internship is under joint supervision of the university (supervisor) and an experienced practitioner in an approved business or non-profit agency setting.  Permission of the program director and/or department chairperson is required.  6 hours of credit may be earned.

For More Information Contact:

Dr. Michelle Glowacki-Dudka or Denise Harris  

Graduate Programs in Adult, Higher, and Community Education

Department of Educational Studies

Teachers College Room 812, Ball State University

Phone: (765) 285-5461 

Fax: (765) 285-5489

Email Contact   mdudka@bsu.edu