Adult Education Leadership

The historical roots of social change are grounded in adult education. This specialization is designed for educators who want to think broadly about the field of adult education, whether in community-based settings, schools, and government, or the private sector. The specialization guides students in understanding the interdisciplinary nature of adult education as a field of study, principles of adult learning and development, and the impact of adult educators on organizations and communities in which they work.

Completion Requirements

  • 122 total quarter credit hours
    • Foundation course: EDUC 8008 (6 cr.)
    • KAMs and/or courses and research sequence (86 cr.)
    • Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation (30 cr.)
  • Minimum 8–10 quarters enrollment
  • 20 days of residency (two 4-day and two 6-day residencies)

For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Core Curriculum

Course Code Course Title Credits
EDUC 8008 Foundations for Doctoral Study 6
KAM I: Principles of Social Change
SBSF 8110 Breadth: Theories of Social Change 5
EDUC 8124 Depth: Current Research in Social Change and Adult Education 5
EDUC 8134 Application: Professional Practice, Social Change, and Adult Education 4
KAM II: Principles of Human Development
SBSF 8210 Breadth: Theories of Human Development 5
EDUC 8224 Depth: Current Research in Human Development and Adult Education 5
EDUC 8234 Application: Professional Practice, Human Development, and Adult Education 4
KAM III: Principles of Social Systems
SBSF 8310 Breadth: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems 5
EDUC 8324 Depth: Current Research on Social Systems and Adult Education 5
EDUC 8334 Application: Professional Practice, Social Systems, and Adult Education 4

Core Research Sequence

Course Code Course Title Credits
RSCH 8100 Research Theory, Design and Methods 4
RSCH 8200 Quantitative Reasoning 4
RSCH 8300 Qualitative Reasoning 4

Specialized KAMs

Course Code Course Title Credits
KAM V: Principles of Adult Education
EDUC 8514 Breadth: Interdisciplinary Foundations and Theory in Adult Education and Learning 5
EDUC 8524 Depth: Current Research in Adult Education and Learning 5
EDUC 8534 Application: Professional Practice in Adult Learning 4
KAM VI: Critical Issues for Adult Education Leaders
EDUC 8614 Breadth: Principles for Adult Education Leaders 5
EDUC 8624 Depth: Current Research in Program Planning and Delivery 5
EDUC 8634 Application: Professional Practice for Adult Education Leaders 4

Advanced Research Sequence (choose one)

Course Code Course Title Credits
RSCH 8250 Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis 4
RSCH 8350 Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis 4
RSCH 8450 Advanced Mixed Methods Reasoning and Analysis 4

Dissertation

Course Code Course Title Credits
EDUC 9000 Dissertation 30

Course Descriptions

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When Can I Start?

Next Start Date: March 8

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