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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
- 134 total quarter credit hours
- Foundation course: SBSF 8005 (6 cr.)
- KAMs and/or courses and research sequence (98 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.
Walden offers frequent start dates so that you can begin when it’s convenient for you. Next Start Date: June 2. Admission policies vary by program. Call 1-866-492-5336 or apply now.
Core Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8005 | 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 |
| SBSF 8417 | Research Seminar I: Human Inquiry and Science | 4 |
| EDUC 8428 | Research Seminar II: Research Design in Education | 5 |
| EDUC 8438 | Research Seminar III: Quantitative Research in Education | 5 |
| EDUC 8448 | Research Seminar IV: Qualitative Research in Education | 5 |
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
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 8458 | Conducting Pilot and Field Studies | 5 |
| EDUC 8468 | Communicating Knowledge in Educational Research | 4 |
Dissertation
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 9000 | Dissertation | 30 |
Course Descriptions (pdf)
