COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Career and Technical Education requires a total of 33 units, designed to equip educators with advanced knowledge and skills in teaching, program management, and professional competencies. The core component consists of 18 units covering foundational areas such as the organization and structure of career and technical programs, instructional technology, research methods, critical issues in the field, and professional competencies. Students then select a minimum of 15 units of electives tailored to their interests and career goals, with options spanning instructional methods for designated subjects, fieldwork in coordination and supervision, curriculum development, assessing student progress, directing occupational programs, educational research and learning theory, and specialized seminars or topics in career and technical education. Additional courses may be substituted with approval from an adviser to meet individual learning objectives. The program concludes with a culminating experience, the comprehensive examination, which is required but carries zero units. This structure ensures that graduates acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to teach, manage, and lead programs in secondary, postsecondary, and adult education settings. Through this combination of core coursework, electives, and the culminating exam, students develop expertise in pedagogy and andragogy, preparing them for leadership roles and enhancing their professional growth in career and technical education. The degree emphasizes flexibility in elective choices, allowing students to tailor their program to specific subjects, administrative roles, or research interests, while maintaining a strong foundation in the essential principles and practices of the field. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to assume advanced teaching positions, coordinate and supervise educational programs, and contribute to the development of effective career and technical education initiatives across diverse educational environments.