• Student Profiles
• The Colloquia
• MAP Topics Past & Present
• MAP Guidelines (PDF)
• MAP Thesis Guidelines
• Application Procedures
• Meet the Program Director
• Course Descriptions

• Links

  • Admissions
  • Campus Undergraduate
  • Graduate Programs

  • Courses

    • Catalog
    • Course Schedule

 Contact Us:
 admissions@alaskapacific.edu
 907.561.1266
 
 4101 University Drive
 Anchorage, AK 99508
 
 Request Information
 

 

 Advanced Search
 Site Map
 
 Log In

Master of Arts Program

Course descriptions

MAP 600 Graduate Seminar
3 credits

The program begins with a 3-credit orientation. In this course, all new students have the opportunity to meet and share experiences with peers and faculty. Written assignments include weekly annotations and culminate with a preliminary literature review. Study plans and curriculum are finalized during this time. This semester-long course is designed to help MAP students get up to running speed with their respective research.

Concepts and issues will include critical thinking, research development, and other skills/resources related to self-directed learning models and methods. Students who need additional background in research methods, writing, or other advanced skills may be advised to enroll in preparatory courses or may develop such skills through independent study. Since the range of interests and skills of MAP students have proven to be diverse, MAP 600 concentrates on the development of the cohort group and the skills necessary for successful graduate-level study.

Students typically complete degree requirements in three phases. These include:

MAP 620 Research
3-12 credits

The student's duty in this phase is to discover and become familiar with the most pertinent concepts that have been thought, articulated and executed in their subject area. In this phase, students may wish to supplement their independent work with courses from the existing APU graduate curriculum that are relevant to the course of study. Students are encouraged to draw from a variety of research sources such as travel, experience, reflection, seminars, interviews, etc. From 3-9 credits can be earned through the successful accomplishment of supervised independent learning contracts.

MAP 640 Practicum
3-12 credits

Students can earn 3-12 credits in this phase by putting into practice what they have discovered and articulated during the Research phase. For a teacher this might mean trying a new classroom technique or lesson plan. For a scientist, this might mean an designing and conducting an experiment. A business-professional might create a new business plan, project, or choose to participate in an internship. An artist might experiment with a new art form.

With the advisor's approval, students may take courses from the existing APU graduate curriculum or complete directed study courses relevant to the study plan to earn 3-12 credits.

MAP 681 Thesis
9-12 credits

In this phase, students create a capstone project in which they make a significant contribution to their field of study. The thesis represents the culmination of all work accomplished by the student and demonstrates mastery of the area of study. A prospectus detailing the purpose, scope, theoretical underpinnings, and preliminary methods to be used in completing the project is submitted. The final thesis may be an academic document, a creative product, a documentary, or a piece of research, but must represent a significant synthesis of the knowledge gained from the MAP study. 9-12 credits must be earned in this final phase of the program.

It is generally recommended that students draw together a thesis committee of 3 faculty advisors and/or outside readers for their thesis phase.