The Knowledge Area Module or “KAM” serves as the curricular basis for the Applied Management and Decision Sciences, Education, Health Services, and Human Services programs.  Each KAM demonstration (comprehensive paper) requires mastery of broad conceptual/ theoretical, in-depth research, and applied professional practice knowledge of the subject area (e.g., human development, societal development and change, organizations and social systems, etc.).

Developing the KAM Demonstration (Comprehensive Paper)

 

The KAM learning model is based on a self-directed learning process that includes research, writing, learning activities, and interaction with other students and faculty members.  This process allows students to develop a specialized level of knowledge and understanding in their chosen specialization or area of study.  Students to produce a demonstration (comprehensive paper) for each KAM as evidence of competency and academic achievement equivalent to 14 total credit hours.

Each KAM has three components: breadth, depth, and application. These components, while unique, should also be clearly interconnected.  Theories and concepts discussed in the breadth component should be linked to the explication of in-depth research on one concept, theory, or theoretical issue in the depth component.  The application component requires students to apply the theories and research topics that have emerged from the breadth and depth components, respectively, to a professional practice problem or issue.

Breadth

 

The breadth component requires students to master, via the use of primary sources (i.e., generally books written by the theorists), the broad theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the knowledge area. This section of the comprehensive paper should provide an overview of major theories, theorists, schools of thought, paradigms, etc. related to the KAM topic area (e.g., societal development and change, human development, organizational and social systems, etc.), not the student’s specialization or professional practice area. A 30-page paper is required.

Depth

 

The depth component requires students to investigate and report on the current research literature (e.g., generally from professional or scholarly journal articles) on a theory, concept, or related theoretical issue discussed in the breadth component. An annotated bibliography of a minimum of 15 articles found in scholarly or professional journals and a 30-page paper are required.

Application

 

The application component requires students to demonstrate their ability to apply one or more of the breadth section theories and the depth section research to a particular problem or issue in their profession or field of study. A 30-page paper is required.

Doctoral Level Work

 

The University expects doctoral students to compare, contrast, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and integrate rather than simply report information.  Through written work, students engage their critical thinking skills, present a complete discussion and scholarly treatment of a subject, and demonstrate their ability to apply theory and research to real world problems.

KAM Assessors

Members of the faculty serve as assessors for the KAM demonstrations (comprehensive papers).  In this role, faculty review and evaluate the KAM paper, confirming that it meets the objectives outlined in the corresponding Learning Agreement and is representative of doctoral-level work.  The same faculty member(s) who served as assessor(s) for the Learning Agreement serve as assessor(s) for the corresponding KAM comprehensive paper.

 

KAM Demonstration (Comprehensive Paper) Approval Process

 

Walden advises students to review the KAM approval process carefully and be attentive to these procedures to minimize the chance of encountering delays in the approval process.

 

Prerequisites

 

Prior to the submission of any KAM demonstration (comprehensive paper), students must have an approved Learning Agreement on file in Student Records.  Students are responsible for ensuring their Learning Agreement has been approved prior to developing the KAM comprehensive paper. 

 

Electronic Submission of the Final Version of the KAM Demonstration

 

Students may electronically submit the final, faculty-approved version of their KAM demonstration documents to Student Records. KAM demonstration drafts must still be submitted to faculty assessors in the format that they prefer (e.g., hard copy, e-mail attachment, etc.). University policy does, however, require faculty to transmit and receive all student work electronically for students living overseas who request it.

Access and instructions for using the Electronic KAM Demonstration Submission system is located in the Student Services section of the Walden home page.   Electronic submission requires familiarity with the following information and procedures:

1. Students selecting this submission option must use the online version of the Student KAM Self-Evaluation form. This will be electronically transmitted to the student’s KAM assessor(s), faculty mentor, and Student Records. Access to this form is located in the Electronic KAM Demonstration system (area) of the Student Services section of the Walden home page.
2. Submission may only occur after the student has received an electronic copy of the online Faculty KAM Evaluation form from her/his faculty assessor.
3. When the KAM demonstration documents are submitted electronically, a copy will also be electronically transmitted to the first faculty assessor.
4. If a student used the online LA Form to submit his/her LA, and no changes were made after it was approved and processed in Student Records, the student does not have to re-submit a copy of LA when electronically submitting her/his final KAM demonstration.
5. If substantive changes were made to the online LA, the student must submit a revised online LA at the time he/she electronically submits the KAM demonstration documents to Student Records.

 

Evaluation by the Assessor(s)

 

Upon receipt of all KAM demonstration documents, the first assessor is allowed a maximum of 10 business days (not including mailing time) to evaluate them.  If the first assessor determines changes are necessary, she/he returns the document to the student for revision.  If the first assessor approves the KAM demonstration, as submitted, she/he completes and submits the online Faculty KAM Evaluation form to the student, student’s mentor/advisor, and Student Records.

Evaluation by the Program Director

 

The student’s program director may elect to evaluate the KAM demonstration (comprehensive paper) within five working days.  If the program director determines changes are necessary, she/he returns the document to the student for revision and informs the assessor of the decision.  The student, in cooperation with the assessor, makes the appropriate revisions and resubmits the KAM demonstration for evaluation and approval. 

KAM Demonstration Ratification Notification from Student Records

 

Student Records documents the final ratification of KAM demonstrations and notifies students within five working days.  Students are encouraged to check with Records to verify receipt of the KAM demonstration documents if they have not been notified.

KAM Approval Process Policies

 

The following policies apply to the KAM approval process:

 

• Students may develop KAMs I, II, and III in any order.
• It is recommended that students complete all core KAMs prior to beginning work on the specialized KAMs.
• Students are to use the Electronic KAM Submission system found in the Student Services section of the home page.

 

KAM Processing

 

• Students should always keep copies of every KAM demonstration (comprehensive paper), faculty evaluation form, and approval notification.
• Students are responsible for tracking their work. It is recommended that students keep a log of dates and correspondence associated with each KAM paper.
• Students should not pay the unnecessary cost of binding a KAM comprehensive paper because they are unbound for review and filing.  Students should keep pages together with a rubber band or clip only.
• Students should be mindful that each assessor is allowed up to 10 business days to review a KAM paper.  This does not include mailing time.  Because of this and the time necessary for revisions, the KAM paper approval process may take five to six weeks

 

KAM Demonstration Grades and Credit Award

 

Students may receive a grade of “S” (Satisfactory) or “U” (Unsatisfactory) on their KAM demonstrations. A grade of “S” (Satisfactory) is equivalent to a letter grade of “B” or better. (The university cannot convert a grade of “S” (Satisfactory) to a letter grade.) Students receiving a grade of “S” are awarded 14 quarter credits.

Repeating a KAM Demonstration

 

Students, whose KAM demonstrations receive a grade of “U” (Unsatisfactory), are not awarded any credits. With permission from their program director, these students may repeat the “failed” KAM demonstration once.

 

KAM Final Demonstration On-Line Form