2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Cognate in Adult and Community Education

Whether you have your eye on an educational, government, community, business, or industry setting, our doctoral cognate in adult and community education can prepare you with the competencies and the confidence that will get you there.

Our program in Adult and Community Education emphasizes developing critical skills and conducting research in teaching and learning, program planning, leadership, continuing education, community organizing, organizational management, and evaluation using a social justice framework. Through the courses, learners understand how power issues, especially related to race and diversity, impact decisions and policies within educational programs.

Our students often seek professional development for positions that manage or develop educational programs for adults. These positions include:

  • educator in many different contexts
  • college professor or instructor
  • training or program director/manager
  • workplace educator
  • volunteer coordinator
  • nonprofit director/coordinator
  • social services administrator
  • consultant
  • academic advisor
  • higher education administrator

15 or 24

15 credits cognate

For the 15 credits cognate in adult and community education, the following 5 courses are required: EDAC 631, EDAC 634, EDAC 635, EDAC 648, and EDAC 780. These courses provide a solid foundation for understanding and working with adults. Substitutions can be made with approval of cognate committee member or director of the program.

EDAC 631Adult and Community Education

3

EDAC 634The Adult as a Learner

3

EDAC 635Strategies for Teaching Adults

3

EDAC 648The Community Educator

3

EDAC 780Seminar in Managing Lifelong Education Programs

3

24 credits cognate - 15 credits core coursework

For the 24 credits cognate in adult and community education, the following 5 courses (15 credits) are required: EDAC 631, EDAC 634, EDAC 635, EDAC 648, and EDAC 780. The other 3 courses (9 credits) will be selected as electives from the other EDAC courses.   These courses provide a solid foundation for understanding and working with adults. Substitutions can be made with approval of cognate committee member or director of the program.

EDAC 631Adult and Community Education

3

EDAC 634The Adult as a Learner

3

EDAC 635Strategies for Teaching Adults

3

EDAC 648The Community Educator

3

EDAC 780Seminar in Managing Lifelong Education Programs

3

24 credit cognate - 9 credits electives

9 credits will be selected as electives from the other EDAC courses. 

Total Credit Hours: 15-24