Degree – Master of Science in Secondary Education, MSEd
Concentration: NCAA Compliance and Academic Progress Reporting (APR) Non-Teaching

Description of Program

The Master of Science in Secondary Education (MSEd) degree program offers endorsements in 14 areas. Graduates are prepared for advanced preparation to serve as teachers or practitioners in various educational capacities. The endorsement in NCAA Compliance and Academic Progress Reporting (APR) Non-Teaching prepares students with the necessary tools to become leaders in the area of NCAA compliance and athletic administration. Students develop practical skills in NCAA compliance and academic programming, which will ensure that collegiate athletic programs are complying with NCAA requirements. Students also thoroughly engage in developing best practices for APR reporting to accelerate academic success and retention of the student-athlete population.

Learning Outcomes

  • Provide scholarly instruction, methodology, and technology experiences to advance success in NCAA compliance and APR reporting, higher education, and/or in related fields
  • Acquire research skills to demonstrate proficiency in writing critical-subjective-thinking projects
  • Engage in NCAA compliance, APR research, and service to contribute in addressing, examining, ameliorating, and resolving the challenges faced by NCAA member institutions
  • Develop and improve career related abilities of graduates in NCAA compliance and academic services
  • Apply knowledge to solve the most contemporary, reliable, valid, and advanced events, issues, trends, and challenges confronting NCAA Division One institutions

Admission Requirements:

Students applying for entrance to the Master of Science in Secondary Education in NCAA Compliance and Academic Progress Reporting (Non-Teaching) are required to submit an application for admission, Apply Online (www.alcorn.edu/academics/graduate-studies).

  • two letters of recommendation
  • official transcript from an accredited school (if a student has attended more than one school, transcripts must be submitted from all schools attended). At least one transcript must document the student has a bachelor’s degree.
  • Immunization record

Decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials by the Department of Agriculture admission committee. The department uses an admission formula to accept students. The entire application packet, including all supporting materials, must be submitted to the Graduate School.

Standardized Test:

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is the official standardized test required for admission to the Master of Science in Secondary Education in NCAA Compliance and Academic Progress Reporting (Non-Teaching). WAIVED

Degree Requirements:

The curriculum for the Master of Science in Secondary Education in NCAA Compliance and Academic Progress Reporting (Non-Teaching) requires 33 credit hours of coursework and passing required exit exams for degree completion. Students complete 12 hours of required core credits, and 15 hours of required course credits, and 6 hours of electives.

Graduation expectations require the following:

  • A minimum of 27 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed in residence at Alcorn State University
  • Earn no more than two Cs in coursework
  • Successfully pass the Core Exit Exam
  • Successfully pass the Area Exit Exam according to content area
  • Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University

Academic advisors are allowed to accept up to six semester credit hours earned at an accredited university with a grade of “B” or higher for graduate coursework completed. Substitutions of coursework are allowed with the approval of an advisor and department administrators up to nine hours if the substitution(s) meet curriculum requirements.

See Transfer of Credits Policy for additional information.
See the Substitution of Courses Policy for additional information.

Academic Track: Exit Exams

Students pursuing a Master of Science in Secondary Education must pass a Core Examination and Area Examination to exit.

Master Degree Audit:

Before candidacy for graduation can be confirmed, each student progression to degree completion will be evaluated to determine if student has met all academic requirements for course work and other aspects of the student’s course of study and Graduate School requirements. When these requirements are met, the student is cleared for graduation.

Time to Degree Completion

Alcorn’s time to degree completion policy allows 6 years to complete the NCAA Compliance and Academic Progress Reporting Non-Teaching program. Degree completion depends on the pace a student completes the curriculum. If the time exceeds six years, the student must petition the Graduate School to consider an appeal for more time to degree completion.

See the Student Academic Appeals Policy for Expiration of Timeline for additional requirements

Degree Plan and Course Sequence

Core Education Courses (12 Hours)
ED 512 Foundations of American Education
ED 514 Methods of Educational Research
ED 533 Curriculum Development
PE 539 Foundation & Principles of PE & Sport
PH 513 Advanced Educational Psychology

Approved Electives (15 Hours)
PE 552 Introduction to NCAA Compliance
PE 553 NCAA Rules and Procedures
PE 554 NCAA Enforcement Process and Infraction Cases
PE 555 Foundations of NCAA Academic Progress (APR) Reporting
PE 556 Current Trends in Academic Progress Rate (APR)

Electives (6 Hours)
PE 527 Measurement & Evaluation of PE & Sport
PE 540 Independent Research
PE 541 Sociology of Sports
PE 543 Philosophy of Sport
PE 545 Trends, Issues, and Challenges in Athletics

For More Information Contact:
Dr. Johnny Thomas ▪ 601.877.6506 ▪ [email protected] (Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation)