Masters of Science in Resource Interpretation at Stephen F. Ausitn State University SFA

The requirements for the thesis based masters degree in resource interpretation include 30 credit hours (15 hours of core courses, 9 hours of restricted electives, and 6 hours of thesis research and writing) and the completion of a field experience in interpretation.

The requirements for the non thesis based masters degree in resource interpretation include 36 credit hours (15 hours of core credits which includes 3 credits from a capstone course. The capstone course is to be taken during the last semester and requires the student to develop and complete a scope of work and then prepare a presentation/paper/poster suitable for presentation at a professional conference. An additional 21 hours are required as specified by the student's advisory committee and subject to the approval by the Associate Dean of ATCOFA).

TO VIEW COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Core Courses (5 courses, 15 hours total):
To satisfy your core course requirements include all four courses in Group A and one course from Group B.

Group A NPS Competency

FOR 567 (3 hrs) Oral Interpretive Programs Preparing and Presenting an Effective Interpretive Talk,
Module 103

FOR 568 (3 hrs) Interpretive Writing Effective Interpretive Writing, Module 230

FOR 569 (3 hrs) Interpretive Research and Evaluation

FOR 580 (3 hrs) Adv Professional Interpretation Interpretive Research and Resource Liaison,
Module 340

Restricted Electives (3 courses, 9 hours total):
To satisfy your electives include three courses from Group B or other courses agreed upon by the advisory committee.

Group B NPS Competency

FOR 542 (3 hrs) Human Dimensions

FOR 564 (3 hrs) Cultural & Heritage Interpretation

FOR 570 (3 hrs) Field-based Interpretive Programs Prepare and Present an Effective Conducted Activity,
Module 210

FOR 571 (3 hrs) Curriculum-Based Interpretive Programs Present an Effective Curriculum-based Program, Module 270

FOR 572 (3 hrs) Interpretive Planning Planning Park Interpretation, Module 310

FOR 573 (3 hrs) Interpretive Leadership Leading Interpreters: Training & Coaching,
Module 330

FOR 574 (3 hrs) Advanced Interpretive Media and Graphics Interpretive Media Development, Module 311

FOR 575 (3 hrs) Data Analysis

Note: SFA course numbers are subject to change.

To complete your 30 credit hours for the thesis option you must take Thesis Research and Thesis Writing (2 courses, 6 hours total): Students may enroll in these courses fall or spring.
Note: Once a student enrolls in thesis research (first course in sequence) the student must stay enrolled in thesis research until his or her thesis had been approved. Once approved students must enroll in thesis writing the next semester and continue to enroll in thesis writing until graduation.

FOR 590 (3 hrs) Thesis Research or (3 hrs) Thesis Writing

COURSE OFFERINGS FOR FALL SEMESTER:

CORE COURSES
FOR 567 501 Oral Interpretive Programs (IDP Module 103)
FOR 568 501 Interpretive Writing (IDP Module 230)

ELECTIVES
FOR 542 Human Dimensions
FOR 571 Curriculum-based Interpretive (IDP Module 270)
FOR 572 Interpretive Planning (IDP Module 310)
FOR 573 Interpretive Leadership (IDP Module 330)

COURSE OFFERINGS FOR SPRING SEMESTER:

CORE COURSES
FOR 569 Interpretive Research and Evaluation
FOR 570 Field-based Interpretive Programs (IDP Modules 210)
FOR 580 Adv Professional Interpretation (IDP Module 340)

ELECTIVES
FOR 574 Advanced Interpretive Media and Graphics (IDP
Module 311)
FOR 577 Data Analysis
FOR 564 Cultural & Heritage Interpretation

Return to the Top