Doctor of Philosophy 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 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.

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.  

Further Information

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