PSU’s Master of Education (MEd) in Experiential Learning and Development serves professionals who seek to further their careers in such fields as outdoor adventure education, wilderness leadership, corporate experiential training, college or high-school outdoor programs, youth adventure programming or summer adventure recreation programming. This 34-credit degree is distance based, and is designed for students who are currently working in outdoor adventure education or a related field of experiential learning. Students who wish to pursue an adventure-related career in physical education or a similar field should consider the MEd in Physical Education, Adventure Learning concentration.
The program does not require students to complete coursework on the Plymouth, NH, campus. A portion of this degree is offered through partnerships with Project Adventure and High 5 Adventure Learning Center, two leading providers of professional training in adventure education. Students choose 8–12 credits of specialization component coursework that is taken directly through either Project Adventure or High 5 multi-day workshops. Remaining credits of the specialization component are comprised of guided projects and other customized learning experiences. Master’s core component courses, and the required Risk Management, Theories of Learning, and capstone courses are all completed in a distance format directly through PSU.
Curriculum & Requirements
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Core Component | ||
| ED 5000 | Social Behavior in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ED 5010 | Philosophy, Ethics & Education | 3 |
| ED 5030 | Research Design | 3 |
| Experiential Learning Component | ||
| EE 5105 | Risk Management for Experiential Education | 3 |
| ED 5060 | Theories of Learning and Cognitive Development | 3 |
| Project Adventure/Approved Electives | 16 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| ED 6900 | Graduate Capstone Project | 3 |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
- Display professional competence in adventure learning activities and instructional skills by demonstrating a grade of 3.0 or better in PA 5560 courses.
- Demonstrate effective teaching skills for a variety of adventure related lessons.
- Demonstrate competence in facilitation skills including assessment of client groups, planning and conducting adventure based learning experiences and promoting transference of learning.
- Discuss the various forms of diversity that can be found in an adventure learning group, and explain effective professional strategies for respecting this diversity and creating a safe and effective learning environment
- Explain Adventure Learning’s role as a social and individual change agent and discuss examples of this change observed in the conduct of adventure programming.
- Display an understanding of and practice professional standards of risk management, with a grade of 3.0 or better on the content exam in EE 5100 Risk Management in Experiential Education.
- Effectively advocate for adventure learning in their local community or educational setting.
Plymouth State’s MEd in Experiential Learning and Development serves professionals who seek to further their careers in such fields as outdoor adventure education, wilderness leadership, corporate experiential training, college or high school outdoor programs, youth adventure programming or summer adventure recreation programming.
Admission Information
Requirements
The MEd in Experiential Learning and Development requires the following materials to be submitted through our online application
- Recommended 3.0 or better GPA in undergraduate coursework
- Official transcripts from any/all college level work
- Three professional recommendations
- Current Resume
- Statement of interest
- NH Residency Verification form (NH residents only)
Deadlines
Students pursuing Experiential Learning and Development can apply for admission to any of the upcoming semesters.
- Fall Semester – August 1
- Spring Semester – December 1
- Summer Semester – April 15
*We suggest submitting your documentation at least two weeks prior to the posted date to ensure your application is complete and can be reviewed by the deadline.
2023-24 Estimated Graduate Per Credit Tuition and Mandatory Fees
| New Hampshire Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $570 | $42 | $612 | |
| CAGS | $610 | $42 | $652 | |
| EDD | $665 | $42 | $707 | |
| Out-of-State Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $789 | $42 | $831 | |
| CAGS | $763 | $42 | $805 | |
| EDD | $845 | $42 | $887 | |
More information is available through the Student Financial Services Office.
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans only. You will need to complete the FAFSA at least 30 days prior to the start of the semester you wish to begin taking classes. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid – please review our international admission requirements to learn more.
More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
Each year, Plymouth State offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to admitted graduate students. Selection criteria include academic and professional achievements, commitment to graduate study, and achievement or pursuit of personal or professional goals. Visit the PSU Scholarship Opportunities webpage for additional information.
Explore Program Details
Project Adventure Workshops
Registering for Workshop Credit? Students must register for workshop course credits within 30 days of their workshop end date, and must submit their work before the end of the term in which the course occurs. Guided Projects do not need to occur in the same term as the workshop. In order to receive credit for the adventure learning workshops, students must complete the appropriate registration form and submit it directly to the Registrar’s Office.
New to PSU? If you are taking your first graduate class at PSU and have not been admitted to a graduate program, you will need to complete the Project Adventure Registration Form. Completed forms should be submitted directly to the Office of the Registrar via email or faxed to 603-535-2724.
NOTE: All reflection papers and guided project coursework should be submitted directly to Dr. Hannon at majhannon@plymouth.edu.
Reflection Paper
Reflection and application are two critical components of the experiential learning cycle. The reflection paper is designed to encourage both of these processes while helping you move your understanding of various topics from theory to practice. Complete this assignment after you’ve finished your workshop, course, or conference and, ideally, after you’ve incorporated some of the content into your professional environment.
There’s some freedom to develop your reflection paper in the way that you want; however, there are also guidelines and recommendations. The paper should be an original work between 3 and 5 pages (double-spaced) in which you:
- Demonstrate your understanding of the workshop content
- Reflect on its significance
- Discuss its application in a specific professional environment
A typical paper might demonstrate the experiential reflection questions of What?, So What? and Now What? Summarizing the workshop (What?) should only be a preface to the real work of the paper. Discussing the significance of the workshop content (So What?) and the actual or hypothetical application of the workshop content into your professional activities (Now What?) are the core of the reflection. A paper might discuss the main themes, new information, and theories that you encountered and then discuss the use of the specific content from this workshop, conference, or course in the setting where you work. You can relay what you did (or intend to do), and then consider what worked well (or might work well), what was difficult, and what you would change or do differently next time around. While it’s appropriate to discuss the usefulness of the workshop content in your professional setting, an evaluation of the workshop itself or the presenter isn’t specifically part of this assignment.
Since the paper is expected to be original work if you incorporate quotations or material from other sources, it must be cited as such. The preferred style is the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. For more information about APA style, visit PSU’s Lamson Library website.
Generally, papers will be graded on the depth of reflection, the way that you incorporate both theory and experience, and the effectiveness of the written communication. The rubric for this assignment clarifies specific expectations for both reflection content and writing effectiveness.
Please submit your adventure learning coursework using the following procedures:
- Register for the course or courses separately using the appropriate registration form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office.
- Email your work to jhannon@plymouth.edu with your last name as the first word in the file name (not the email subject).
- Be sure to write at the top of your reflection paper and project, below your name, the term in which you have registered.
- Include a scan or photo of your Certificate of Completion.
- Your email subject line should include “Adventure Learning Course Work.”
Rubric for Reflection Paper
Download the Rubric for Reflection Paper assignment after Project Adventure learning experiences.
Examples of Reflection Papers:
- Adventure Program Management
- Adventure Based Counseling – Reflecting on my experience
- Adventure Based Counseling
- Advanced Skills and Standards – paper 1
- Advanced Skills and Standards – paper 2
Guided Projects
Projects are intended to increase our understanding of the workshop topic beyond that gained from attendance and the initial reflection. Learn more about project guidelines
Please submit your adventure learning coursework using the following procedures:
- Register for the course(s) separately using the appropriate registration form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office.
- Email your work to jhannon@plymouth.edu with the following criteria:
- Save file as: [Last Name] [Workshop Title]
- Paper Heading: [First & Last Name] [Term you are registered in]
- Email Subject: Adventure Learning Course Work [Last Name]
- Attachments: Include a scan or photo of your Certificate of Completion.
Registering for Workshop Credit
Students must register for workshop course credits within 30 days of their workshop end date, and must submit their work before the end of the term in which the course occurs. Guided Projects do not need to occur in the same term as the workshop. In order to receive credit for the adventure learning workshops, students must complete the appropriate registration form and submit it directly to the Registrar’s Office.
NOTE: All reflection papers and guided project coursework should be submitted directly to Dr. Hannon at jhannon@plymouth.edu
This course planning matrix shows a tentative schedule of when Adventure Learning classes will be offered. Please note this is subject to change.
Did you know PSU allows you to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework before applying to most programs? So whether you are admitted to a program or just want to try a class, you can get started today!
Search for classes – the Office of the Registrar handles the course registration process – more information is available by visiting their website.
Register Online – Registration can be completed online through the myPlymouth portal if you are a current/active student or have been admitted to a graduate program. Be sure to have your user name, password, and the course number and title handy. At the end of the registration process you will be notified of your billing due date. Specific instructions for completing the online registration can be found on the Registrar’s website under the “How to Register” section.
New to PSU? If you are taking your first graduate class at PSU and have not been admitted to a graduate program, you will need to complete the Student Input Form to get started.
Registering for Workshop Credit? Students must register for workshop course credits within 30 days of their workshop end date, and must submit their work before the end of the term in which the course occurs. Guided Projects do not need to occur in the same term as the workshop. In order to receive credit for the adventure learning workshops, students must complete the appropriate registration form and submit it directly to the Registrar’s Office.
Project Adventure Workshop Registration Form
NOTE: All reflection papers and guided project coursework should be submitted directly to Dr. Hannon at jhannon@plymouth.edu
We would be happy to provide you with more information about our graduate programs – here are a few ways to learn more!
VISIT – We hold information sessions and campus visits throughout the year, or we can schedule an in-person advising appointment – come check out our beautiful campus in Plymouth, NH
EMAIL – Have a quick question about our wide array of graduate programs and certificates? Send us an email at forgrad@plymouth.edu
Want an answer right away? Give us a call – the Admissions Office is open Mon-Fri from 8:00am-4:30pm at 603-535-2237 or 800-FOR-GRAD.
Graduate Admission Team – Whether you are just graduating with your bachelor’s degree or have been out of school for a while, we are here to help guide you through the application process, assist in getting you registered for your first semester of classes, and provide you with “next steps, information, and resources on campus.
Program Coordinator/Advisor – Once you have been admitted into a graduate program, you will be assigned an academic advisor who will be your go-to person for class scheduling, program and/or curriculum questions, and academic guidance.
- Dr. Jamie Hannon, 603-535-3489 or jhannon@plymouth.edu
Office of the Registrar – can assist with course registration, transcript requests and degree conferral information
Student Financial Services – please contact them with questions regarding your bill, employer reimbursement, or financial holds on your account.
Financial Aid Team - here to assist with financial aid, student loans, or other financial related questions.
A portion of this degree is offered through partnerships with Project Adventure, a leading provider of professional training in adventure education.
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