Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a Major in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education Administration

Jude Hirsch, Chair

Professor: Jude Hirsch

Associate Professor: Jeff Turner

Assistant Professor: Will Hobbs

Lecturer: Liz Speelman

Department Contact Information:

Georgia College

College of Health Sciences

Campus Box 121

Milledgeville, GA 31061

478-445-1226

Department of Outdoor Education Website: http://www.gcsu.edu/outdoored/index.htm

Outdoor Center at Georgia College: http://www.gcsu.edu/outdoor/index.htm

Chair, Jude Hirsch, jude.hirsch@gcsu.edu

The M.Ed. in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education Administration prepares practicing professionals to be leaders in a variety of career settings that promote the use of outdoor/adventure environments to create healthy individuals and a sustainable society and for advanced academic study in outdoor education and related disciplines. Traditional and experiential education strategies are used to provide graduate students with professional leadership training, technical competency, and an advanced theoretical basis for administering or studying outdoor education programs and services. Coursework includes 30 credit hours focused on theoretical, technical and leadership principles related to the major and 6 credit hours synthesis option for a thesis or project with a related elective. Part-time enrollment is accommodated on a per case basis; however, full-time enrollment is required for a minimum of one year to complete technical training courses and applied teaching experiences.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Outdoor education academic programs and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College are accredited by The Association for Experiential Education. Affiliations include the American Canoe Association, the American Mountain Guides Association, the Association for Challenge Course Technology, the Wilderness Education Association, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, the National Outdoor Leadership School Wilderness Medicine Institute, Landmark Learning, and Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission.

Regular Admission Requirements

Students seeking regular admission must achieve a minimum of 75 cumulative points for the following categories:

• GRE score (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical): 35 pts.
• Undergraduate upper division GPA (minimum 2.75 on a 4.0 scale): 10 pts
• Letter of application indicating why you have chosen a career in outdoor education administration, your teachin/professional philosophy, and how the program of study meets your career goals: 15pts
• Current resumé; copies of any relevant, current training certificates or certification cards: 15 pts
• 2 letters of reference signed by the referee: 10 pts
• In-person or telephone interview: 15pts

Notes:

• Regular admission status is a necessary condition for consideration for a graduate assistantship

Provisional Admission Requirements

Students seeking provisional admission must achieve a minimum of 68 cumulative points for the following categories:

• GRE score (verbal, quantitative, and analytical): 35 pts
• Upper division GPA (minimum 2.75 on 4.0 scale): 10pts
• Letter of application indicating why you have chosen a career in outdoor education administration, your teaching/professional philosophy, and how the program of study meets your career goals: 15 pts
• Current resumé; copies of any relevant, current training certificates or certification cards: 15 pts
• 2 letters of reference signed by the referee: 10 pts
• In-person or telephone interview: 15 pts

To gain regular admission, provisional students must complete 9 hours of graduate coursework at GC with no less than a "B" in each course approved by the Department of Kinesiology Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate Coordinator.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who apply too late for full consideration for admission and/or have not submitted all required documents for evaluation may be assigned conditional admission status for one semester only with permission of the Department of Outdoor Education Graduate Coordinator. Students who fail to submit all required documents or who do not meet regular admission requirements during the conditional semester will be required to withdraw from the University.

Academic Dismissal Policy

A graduate student will be placed on graduate academic probation if the student's institutional graduate grade point average falls below a 3.00 at any point during his or her graduate studies.

A graduate student will be dismissed if the student is placed on academic probation for more than one semester, receives more than one C during his or her graduate studies, or fails to comply with policy, procedures, and expectations as defined in current versions of the Outdoor Education Policy and Procedures Manual, The Facilitator Handbook, and the Graduate Student Handbook.

Transfer Credits

Up to 6 semester hours of graduate coursework with grades of B or better may be accepted from other institutions at the discretion of the Department of Outdoor Education Graduate Coordinator and the advisor.

Time Limitations for M.Ed. with a Major in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education Administration

The requirements for the degree program must be completed within a period of 6 years from the date that the student begins taking courses at Georgia College. Courses completed more than 6 years prior to completion of the requirements for the Master's degree will be regarded as outdated and will not be applied toward the degree program. This includes courses that may be transferred from other institutions. Outdated courses may be updated through appropriate means at the discretion of the Department of Outdoor Education Graduate Coordinator and the advisor.

Total Credit Hours: 36

Degree Notes

• Students are required to complete a swimming proficiency test.
• Students are required to hold a current Wilderness First Responder certificate.
• Students are required to satisfy the conditions set forth in the Department of Outdoor Education Graduate Student Handbook.
• In order to graduate, students must fulfill other requirements specified in the Graduate Requirements section of the Catalog.

Steps in Completing the M.Ed.: Outdoor Education Administration

1. Submit a completed application to graduate study and all supporting documents to the Graduate Admissions Office
2. Consult with the Department of Outdoor Education Graduate Coordinator about the program of study
3. Complete courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better
4. Pass the exit exam
5. Satisfy Outdoor Education Administration Degree Notes
6. Complete the master thesis or project in compliance with Department of Outdoor Education Synthesis and the Georgia College policies
7. Submit the completed Formal Application for graduate Degree by the date specified in the official University Calendar