19: Master’s level degree in specialized programs:  Knowledge and Skills.  Participation in a master’s level program presupposes the base of general knowledge and skills appropriate to an undergraduate degree and is at a more advanced level.

The level of knowledge represented by the students of a specialized master’s level program is the:

• Application of knowledge even in new and unfamiliar circumstances through a conceptual understanding of the specialization.

• Ability to adapt and innovate to solve problems.

• Capacity to critically analyze and question knowledge claims in the specialized discipline.

Master’s level students in specialized degree programs demonstrate knowledge of theories, models, and tools relevant to their specialty field.  They are able to apply appropriate specialized theories, models, and tools to solve concrete business and managerial problems.  Adapting expectations to the school’s mission and cultural circumstances, the school specifies learning goals and demonstrates achievement of learning goals in each specialized master’s degree program.  [SPECIALIZED MASTER’S DEGREE LEARNING GOALS]

Basis for Judgment:

• Learning goals for specialized master’s programs require extensive knowledge in the field, an understanding of how knowledge is created in the field, and the ability to apply knowledge of the field.
• The school demonstrates that students achieve the learning goals.  Or, if assessment demonstrates that learning goals are not being met, the school has instituted efforts to eliminate the discrepancy.
• Students demonstrate the capacity to apply and adapt knowledge.
• The school is responsible for the quality of learning counted toward satisfying degree requirements regardless of where or how it takes place.

Guidance for Documentation:

• Display examples of student work showing the ability to apply and adapt accumulated knowledge.
• Describe the learning goals of each specialized master’s degree program.
• Demonstrate that students achieve all of the learning goals for each specialized master’s degree. Or, if assessment demonstrates that learning goals are not being met, describe efforts that have been instituted to eliminate the discrepancy.