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Doctor of Education in Work and Human Resource Education
(Specialization in Adult Education)

From the University of Minnesota Graduate School

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.

Delivery Format

This is a Twin Cities based program; many of the courses are offered on the Rochester campus. The Ed.D. is administered by the Graduate School and requires additional field study credit.

Program Curriculum

The Ed.D. degree is awarded through the University of Minnesota Graduate School and requires a minimum of 84 semester credits (which includes 24 credits of field study credit) beyond the baccalaureate. A minimum of 60 semester credits at the 5000 level or above is required. 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. A written preliminary exam and a final oral exam are required. There are no language requirements.

General Aspects (12 credits minimum)
Required:

  • 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 the department of WCFE)

Research (10 credits minimum)
Required:

  • WCFE 8911: Foundations of Inquiry (2 credits)
  • WCFE 8915: Ethical Responsibility in Research (1 credit)
  • WCFE 8990: Research Seminar (1 credit)
  • Graduate-level introductory statistics course (3 credits minimum)

Plus one of the following:

  • WCFE 8912: Quantitative Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8913: Interpretive Research (3 credits)
  • WCFE 8914: Critical Science Research (3 credits)

Adult Education Specialization (28 credits minimum)

  • AdEd/HRD 5001: Survey of HRD and Adult Education (3 credits)
  • HRD 5301: Organization Development (3 credits)
  • AdEd 5101: Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
  • AdEd 5102: Adult Learning and Development (3 credits)
  • AdEd 5103: Designing the Adult Education Program (3 credits)
  • AdEd/HRD 8001: Advanced Theories in HRD and Adult Education
    (3 credits)
  • Electives to total a minimum of 28 credits (at least 1 course in Adult Education required)

Field study (24 credits minimum)

  • WCFE 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.

Further Information

Further information can be found on the Graduate School Catalog website at http://www.catalogs.umn.edu/grad/gen/edd.html

Open Advising for some
Graduate Programs

2nd Tuesday of each month, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
See Information Sessions for details.

OT students: please visit the OT website for advising times.



Contact Information

Joseph Marchesani, J.D.
Program Director
University of Minnesota Rochester
300 University Square
111 South Broadway
Rochester, Minnesota 55904
Phone: 507-280-2819
Fax: 507-280-2820
Email: march027@umn.edu