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  Home > Academic Programs > Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Work and Human Resource Education
Specialization in Adult Education

From the University of Minnesota Graduate School

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> The Profession
> Delivery Format
> Program Curriculum
> Admission Information
> Selecting a Ph.D. or an Ed.D.
> Contact Information


The Profession

Adult educators are people who believe in the value of lifelong learning. They instruct adults in new subjects and help to develop and advance skills adults already have. They teach a wide variety of subjects—reading, English as a second language, computer use, foreign languages, international studies, writing, and art. Adult educators work in settings where adults go for further knowledge and life enrichment opportunities such as community schools, recreational settings, or county and state programs. Adult education is a vibrant field, fueled by expanding demand and interests, with a broad range of career possibilities in both the public and private sectors.

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Delivery Format

This is a Twin Cities based program but many of the specialization courses for adult education are offered on the Rochester campus. The Ph.D. is administered by the Graduate School and requires a dissertation.

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Program Curriculum

The Ph.D. degree is awarded through the University of Minnesota Graduate School and requires a minimum of 84 semester credits (which includes 24 credits of thesis) beyond the baccalaureate. While this degree has specific course expectations, there is considerable flexibility in developing a doctoral program. A program plan is developed in consultation with an advisor. There are no language requirements.

General Aspects (12 credits minimum)

  • WCFE 8141: History and Philosophy of Work, Community, and Family Education (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8142: Work, Community, and Family Education Comparative Systems (3 credits)
  • Electives to total a minimum of 12 credits (at least 6 credits must be outside WCFE)

Research (20 credits minimum)

  • WCFE 8911: Foundations of Inquiry (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8915: Ethics and Responsible Research (1 credit)
  • WCFE 8990: Research Seminar (1 credit)
  • Graduate-level statistics course (2-4 credits)
  • Electives to total at least 20 credits in the research category

    Plus 6 credits in one of the following areas:

  • Quantitative Research:
    • WCFE 8912: Quantitative Research (3 credits)
    • A second statistics course (2-4 credits)
  • Interpretive Research:
    • WCFE 8913: Interpretive Research (3 credits)
    • Plus the advanced course (3 credits)
  • Critical Science Research
    • WCFE 8914: Critical Science Research (3 credits)
    • Plus a selected course (2-4 credits)

Adult Education Specialization (20 credits minimum)

  • AdEd/HRD 5001: Survey of HRD and Adult Education (3 credits)
  • AdEd 5101: Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
  • AdEd 5102: Perspectives of Adult Learning and Development (3 credits)
  • AdEd 5103: Designing the Adult Education Program (3 credits)
  • HRD 5301: Organization Development (3 credits)
  • AdEd/HRD 8001: Advanced Theories in HRD and Adult Education
    (3 credits)
  • Electives to total a minimum of 20 credits (at least 1 course in Adult Education required)

Thesis (24 credits)

  • Educ 8888: Thesis Credits: Doctoral

Use the University Certificate Planning Sheet located on the Twin Cities website to help plan your program. Note: Please use your “back” key to return to the UMR website when done viewing.

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Admission Information

Prospective doctoral degree students should have academic background and experience in at least one specialization area.

Admission Requirements

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of 450 or better on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Graduate GPA of 3.4
  • Completed application materials

Admission Process

STEP 1

Meet with University of Minnesota Rochester advisor Joseph Marchesani, Program Director for Education and Human Resource Development. To schedule an appointment, contact him at 507-280-2819 or 507-280-2829; e-mail march027@umn.edu.

STEP 2

Apply to the Graduate School online at http://www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/apply_online.html.
Note: This information is located on the Twin Cities website; please use your “back” key to return to the UMR website when done viewing.

Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply for admission well in advance of the term in which they wish to enter the Graduate School (but no more than one year in advance of the proposed entry date). The Graduate School application, complete with all required materials, must be submitted by the following deadlines.

  • Fall semester - June 15
  • Spring semester - October 15
  • Summer session - March 15

Deadlines that fall on a holiday or weekend will be extended through the next regular workday.

Many major fields have established deadlines earlier than those listed above and also require additional application and supporting materials. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain information about those deadlines and requirements from the director of graduate studies for the proposed major.

Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields
A doctoral minor requires a minimum of 12 credits in one of the specializations, approved by the director of graduate studies.

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Selecting a Ph.D. or an Ed.D.


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Contact Information

Joseph Marchesani, J.D.
Program Director
University of Minnesota Rochester
111 South Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904
Telephone: 507-280-2819 or 1-800-947-0117
E-mail: march027@umn.edu

Further information can be found on the Graduate School Catalog website at http://www.catalogs.umn.edu/grad/gen/edd.html. Note: This information is located on the Twin Cities website; please use your “back” key to return to the UMR website when done viewing.

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