Return to: U of M Home

Skip to main content.University of Minnesota.

One Stop | Directories | Search U of M

College of Education & Human Development Work, Community and Family Education Adult Education

Work and Human Resource Education
330 Wulling Hall - 86 Pleasant Street SE - Minneapolis, MN 55455
Tel: 612-624-1221 -  Email: whre@umn.edu
New Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development
Effective July 1, 2009, a new department has been created that integrates the business and marketing education, human resource development and adult education, and comprehensive WHRE programs from the Department of Work and Human Resource Education (WHRE) into the department formerly known as Educational Policy and Administration (EdPA). The name of this new department is Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development (OLPD). It will offer exciting opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary education and research. Click here for details.

 

Doctoral Degrees (Ph.D., Ed.D.) with Specialization in Adult Education

The graduate program in adult education (AdEd), a specialized academic area within the Department of Work and Human Resource Education (WHRE), prepares individuals to work with adults in a variety of roles, such as program developers, teachers, advisers, administrators, and managers, in a variety of formal and informal settings, such as educational institutions, business and industry, community agencies, health care organizations, continuing and professional education, and adult basic education. We define adult education as a process whereby persons whose major social roles are characteristic of adult status undertake systematic and sustained learning activities for the purpose of bringing about changes in knowledge, attitudes, values, or skills. The adult education specialization provides a foundation of knowledge about the field, particularly regarding the nature of adult learners and adult development.

The mission of the adult education specialization at the University of Minnesota is to prepare leaders and scholars of formal and informal education for adults in the workplace, family and community. To that end, AdEd is integrated with the human resource development (HRD) program, also a specialized academic area within the department. Combined, the two specializations offer students of adult education who are interested in the human resource development field of practice an opportunity to integrate learning from both specializations.

Who Enrolls in this Program?

Adult education attracts people who believe in the value of lifelong learning. The program prepares professionals who work with adults in a variety of educational, training and development, organization development, and community settings, including those in education, industry and business, government, and non-profit agencies. In these settings, individuals are involved in teaching, administration (as coordinators and managers), counseling, and program design and evaluation. In addition, adult education students may choose program options to reflect specific interests, such as adult basic education or workplace literacy.

Students whose focus is research expertise and specialization content may apply for the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in work and human resource education. Students whose focus is specialization content and applied research may apply for the doctor of education (Ed.D.) in work and human resource education.

What Will My Program Look Like?

The Ph.D. requires 60 course credits and 24 thesis credits. Course credits include a minimum of 12 credits in general aspects, a minimum of 20 credits in research, and a minimum of 16 credits in the specialization. Course credits must also include 12 elective credits and 12 credits from outside the department, which may overlap with those in general aspects, research, and the specialization. More about the Ph.D. can be found in the Graduate School Catalog.

The Ed.D. requires 60 course credits and 24 field study credits (thesis credits). Course credits include a minimum of 12 credits in general aspects, a minimum of 11 credits in research, and a minimum of 28 credits in the specialization, 4 of which must be internship credits. Course credits must also include 12 credits from outside the department, which may overlap with those in general aspects, research, and the specialization. More about the Ed.D. can be found in the Graduate School Catalog.

See also:

Revised March 2004

©2000-2008 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Last modified on August 18, 2009