The Purpose of the Master's Project
Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy emphasizes inquiry and reflection as essential tools for educators. Therefore, all students in the MS in Higher Education Administration and Policy Program complete a Master's Project. The Master's Project presents an opportunity for students to do original research on a topic of genuine interest related to higher education.
Through the Master's Project students gain the tools and ability to systematically analyze issues that they encounter and to continuously improve their practice. Some students publish the results of their Master's Project research or go on to present their research at professional conferences.
Master's Project Course Work
Students are guided through the Master's Project by a three-course sequence. In the first course, MS_HE 406, students work to identify the question that will guide their research. Most often the Master's Project Question grows out of a student's own experiences in college or in their work or internship. Students then complete a literature review to connect their own research question to research that has already been done on the topic.In the second course MS_HE 407, students learn skills and techniques for collecting original data on their topic. Data collection methods include surveys, interviews, observation and archival analysis. Students then create a data collection plan that will best help them answer the Master's Project Question and begin to gather data.
In the third course, MS_HE 408, students continue to collect data and learn how to systematically analyze those data. Students complete a written research report and make a formal presentation of their findings.
Collaborative Model
Students are assigned to a coach and a cohort of eight to 10 students who stay together for the duration of the Master's Project sequence. Research team members read each other's proposals and project drafts, discuss research articles and provide each other with feedback, encouragement and support.Research groups can be a tremendous help to participants. Additionally, being on a team gives students the opportunity to learn a good deal about the topics their colleagues are researching. This collaborative model is unique to Northwestern University and consistently allows students to produce high-quality research.
Samples of Master's Project Questions
What is the evidence that test-optional admission policies broaden access to selective colleges for students from diverse social and economic backgrounds?
How do African-American male college athletes experience racial positional segregation -- commonly referred to as "stacking" -- and how does this phenomenon affect them?
How does the use of online social networking sites by development departments at major private research universities relate to giving among young alumni?
In what ways to gay, lesbian or bisexual Christian students express and reconcile their LGB and Christian identities?
How has the increased availablity and procurement of academic earmarks affected institutions' relationship with their primary education association?
What on-the-job experiences at a college union relate most strongly with undergraduate learning outcomes?
What are the differences in the reported levels of engagement and satisfaction between veteran community college students who participate in student veteran organizations and those who do not?