Most students at Murray State have one goal in common after graduation: to get a job. However, for some students, the typical 120 hours of coursework is only a foundation of their educational training.
A new graduate degree allows students to attend courses that may lead to a job on a college campus as an administrator.
The Post-Secondary Education Program (PSE) has its first class of students this fall and staff are excited to continue accepting students for future terms.
The PSE program showcase will take place Saturday in Alexander Hall from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and is open to the public. Ben Littlepage, PSE program coordinator, is excited for prospective students to learn about the program.
“(Students) will learn about post-secondary education and the Master of Arts,” Littlepage said. “(The event will) help them 
understand how this program applies to their career goals, and will help them understand the admissions requirements, opportunities for grad assistantships and internships on campus.”
Littlepage said the program showcase is the first program to have its own event at Murray State. He said if you think about the people behind the scenes on a college campus, students are probably recognizing the college administration staff, which is what this program trains its students for.
Littlepage described that employees who work on a college campus have a variety of backgrounds.
“College administrators are a very eclectic group of undergraduate majors, which is a good thing,” Littlepage said. “With all of those backgrounds of interests we can solve some complicated situations.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted post-secondary education administration jobs will grow 15 percent between now and 2022. This is a fast acceleration compared to other job markets. Littlepage said this is why timing is perfect for a post-secondary education degree.
“Over the next 10 years, more and more people will be going to college as well as a lot of retirements,” Littlepage said. “Someone who is looking at their career options has got to be excited about the employment opportunities in this profession.”
Another issue that may influence a student’s career decision is a typical work day. Some prefer the same agenda day to day, where others want a job that will be different everyday.
“There is no such thing as a typical day; it is not the line of work with monotony,” Littlepage said. “You could meet with a student with a crisis, attend community events or partnerships, or have a wide variety of jobs and roles. It’s action packed.”
While some students are worried about tacking more than 120 hours of coursework onto their agenda, the post-secondary education degree will take approximately two years if attended full time. There is part-time coursework and a distance learning option as well.
The PSE program showcase will provide an opportunity to meet with a student panel, current administrative leaders and other important guests, but students must be reminded that learning will happen whether they choose to obtain a graduate degree or another option, Littlepage said.
“As professionals we never stop learning,” Littlepage said. “Whether you desire to pursue a formal education or not you should always enter life after college as one of continuous learning.”
Story by Tiffany Whitfill, Staff writer