Minors: Adult Education

The minor in adult education examines adult education philosophies, current issues, challenges, and practices influencing leaders in the field of adult education. Doctoral students study the global context of adult learning including demographic, economic, ethical, political and technological factors influencing the practice of adult education.

EDD 7710: Principles and Theories of Adult Education
This course examines the range of theoretical and practical approaches to the education of adults. Topics include adult motivation for learning; innovative instructional approaches for adults; the practice of andragogy and andragogical roots of the contemporary adult education movement; evolving opportunities in workplace learning, for-credit and non-credit learning options in universities and community colleges; and informal learning in adulthood.

EDD 7711: History and Philosophy of Adult Education
This course provides a broad foundation for the study of adult education based on the historical context and philosophical constructs that have influenced the practices of adult educators and the adult education movement in the past and continuing into the 21st century. The course examines adult education as a social movement in a historical context and explores the philosophical perspectives that have influenced and continue to develop current approaches to the education of adults.

EDD 7712: Contextual Issues Affecting Adult and Continuing Education
This course presents a comprehensive view of lifelong learning and its critical implications for learners and leaders in the field of adult and continuing education. The course addresses current contexts, emerging challenges, and evolving opportunities in the field of adult and continuing education from a practitioner-oriented perspective. Course participants will examine a variety of adult learning contexts including community-based programs, prison education, and innovative higher education applications. In addition, participants will analyze emerging challenges including demographic, economic, political, ethical, and socio-cultural changes influencing the practice of adult education.

EDD 7713: Adult Development and Learning Styles
This course will examine the developmental nuances of adult learning, with specific emphasis on the relationship between life stages and challenges and their influence on adult learning. Additional topics include current and evolving theories of adult cognition and learning, including learning styles; learning modalities and multiple intelligences; adult learners with physical and/or mental disabilities; and practical approaches to integrating technology into the instruction of adults.

EDD 7714: Adult and Continuing Education Program Planning
This course examines adult education program planning, curricular and administrative opportunities and challenges, and innovative instructional techniques designed to promote access to adult learning. Topics include participation research, innovative approaches, and techniques to marketing adult educational programs, and distance learning technologies as well as program planning for adults in a variety of settings