Academic Plan 2011-2015 (PDF 524kB) - SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College: Academic Plan 2011 - 2015 53adult education sector, in state, national and international contexts. The Master of Arts in EmergingTechnologies and Learning (MAETAL) provides a special focus on how the learning process, regardlessof level or content, can be enhanced with new, digital technologies.RationaleThe role of education is central to the growth and prosperity of our communities and our nation. Yet,the nature of learning and knowledge creation is changing ever more rapidly with the accelerationof globalization and technological advancements across fields. This presses us to adapt to changingdynamics that impact our lives in a myriad of ways. Learning through the lifespan sustains us, andhelps us thrive across generations on several levels: personal, economic, social and cultural.The U.S. Department of Labor estimates 10 - 23 percent job growth rates through 2018 in professionsin education, including K-12 teachers, post-secondary and vocational teachers, and adult literacyinstructors. 1 In addition, a private report recently commissioned by Empire State College indicates anincreasing demand in the adult learning market, particularly in the northeast and New York state. 2 Thedecision to continue to support blended and online delivery modes for all programs is supported bythe Sloan Consortium’s determination that higher education online enrollments are growing at a rateof 17 percent per year (compared to 1.2 percent for the rest of higher education). The college is, thus,modeling the sort of experiences that an increasing number of professional organizations call 21stcentury learning.Program InitiativesIn addition to the existing undergraduate and graduate offerings, there are several programs indevelopment phases:• Scheduled for launch in the fall term 2011 are: the Master of Arts in Adult Learningand a residency-based version of the Master of Arts in Teaching.• Scheduled for launch in the fall term 2012 are: the Master of Arts in EmergingTechnologies and Learning, and the Master of Education degree programs.• Additional initiatives include developing certificates in areas such as teachingand technology.• Longer term plans include developing doctoral programs in adult learning,and interdisciplinary studies.__________________1U.S. Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010). Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010 - 2011.Accessed Nov. 15, 2010 http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm#education2Eduventures Online Higher Education Learning Collaborative (2009). Masters in Adult LearningMarket Assessment: Supply and Demand. Private report commissioned by SUNY EmpireState College.