Master of Education [M.Ed] [Adult Learning (Concentration in Human Resource Development)] From Virginia Commonwealth University

Graduates are found in major corporations, higher education, health care organizations, state and federal agencies, nonprofit and community-based organizations and human services agencies. Admission to the program is predicated on the “whole person” concept, taking into account life experience, academic record, references and the reasons for the student’s interest in the program. An interview with the program adviser is recommended prior to admission. Successful applicants will have sufficient prior work experience with adults as learners to enable them to bring relevant work experience into the classroom learning environment.

The program provides a foundation in educational research methods and a strong core of seven courses in the theory and practice of adult learning, including emphasis in development of facilitation skills, as well as the design and delivery of adult learning programs. Upon completion of the foundation and core courses, students choose one of three concentration areas: adult literacy, human resource development (learning in the workplace) or teaching and learning with technology. The last course in the program, a capstone seminar in action learning, reunites students from all three concentrations for a comprehensive synthesis experience as they work in action learning teams to solve a real problem of strategic importance to an organization in the community.