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Master of Arts Program

MAP: A Distinctive Educational Opportunity

Alaska Pacific University's Master of Arts Program (MAP) seeks creative, motivated individuals inspired by a love of learning and a desire to discover through self-directed study. Some students may be drawn to the MAP because they wish to expand their knowledge after past experience in a particular field. Others may be looking to contribute to a specific area of interest or for a new career direction. APU's Master of Arts Program gives students the opportunity to personally tailor their study to their unique vision and to take responsibility for the structure and content of their education. Students have the chance to design and implement a learning plan that allows each scholar to explore ideas and information independently. Our students also experience an intimate working relationship with academic advisors or mentors who help to construct a study plan appropriate to individual needs while guiding the student beyond the confines of a more traditional classroom-based graduate setting. Independent learning may also be complemented by appropriate course work drawn from relevant graduate learning endeavors.

MAP students have diverse interests and the distinctive nature of this program makes it well suited to such variety. With Alaska Pacific University's Master of Arts Program, the possibilities and the methods of attaining personal goals are unlimited!

Program Description

Alaska Pacific University's Master of Arts Program (MAP) is a 36-credit, individualized contract-learning graduate degree program that draws on the vision of the creative student. To take advantage of MAP, you must already have adequate preparation, through experience or formal study, to begin Master's level research and projects in your chosen study area. This program allows the student to enrich, strengthen, expand and focus the knowledge she or he has gained through the dynamic combination of prior education and real-world experience.

The Consortium Library: A Valuable Resource

Program Variation

While the MAP is designed for completion in three phases, there may be variations on this model. For example, a student may choose to pursue 12 credits one semester (this is considered full-time study), and attempt 6 the next because her or his work schedule (or other commitments) preclude the pursuit of more. Students may wish to focus more credits on their research than their practicum, or vice versa. Some may also need to acquire more credit than the 36 required by APU, as in the case of a certification requirement. Thus, MAP's structure is flexible enough to adjust to the content interests of the student and also to time and credit requirements.

Variations to the basic program are negotiated between the student and the academic advisor while developing the study plan. It is the responsibility of the advisor to assure that this process works effectively.

Academic Advising

Typically, the academic advisor will be a full-time faculty member at Alaska Pacific University. Advisors need not be subject matter experts in all areas in which the student seeks to increase his/her knowledge, but will be skilled in the process of organizing the academic program for the student. Students are encouraged to work with more than one advisor during their MAP studies and must have a minimum of two committee members on their thesis committees. Student Evaluation/Academic Progress

Student Evaluation/Academic Progress

The MAP is not a traditional letter-graded academic program but rather Credit/No Credit. "Credit" is understood to represent a grade of B or better for those whose employers or future learning institutions require it. Students receive a narrative evaluation of their progress at the end of each successful semester and these evaluations, in turn, become part of the student's official transcript.

Narrative evaluations allow the advisor (and committee members) to document and comment upon the degree of success or failure in accomplishing agreed-upon goals. In cases where the academic standards of the university are not met, no credit will be awarded on the transcript.

Students are expected to perform at the graduate level and to demonstrate written and oral communication, critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as content knowledge. The ability to apply theoretical concepts consistent with a graduate program must also be demonstrated.