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Adult Learning and Workforce Education
Career development, human resource management and adult learning are becoming increasingly important as more organizations recognize the value of well-developed training and education programs for their workforce. Organizations need professionals with knowledge and skills in development, implementation and management, in order to improve individual and organizational performance. The skills and knowledge learned in the Adult Learning and Workforce Education specialization translate across a wide range of industries, including higher education, workforce development agencies, human resource departments and organizations and adult career centers. Your courses will provide you with an opportunity to learn the tools and competencies required to critically reflect on workplace issues, solve organizational problems, develop programs and training to increase overall performance, and anticipate and respond to change. As an Adult Learning and Workforce Education graduate, you will also be prepared to influence public policy and organizational decision-making as it relates to the workforce.
Certification and Licensing
The School of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The MEd program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country. Certification requirements vary by state. Students are advised to contact their state department of education or local school district for guidance in obtaining certification or licensure, or for approval in fulfilling district level incentive programs.
There are several reasons why an educator would want to pursue a graduate degree in education that does not lead to state licensing or certification.
Reasons may include:
- "Move up" steps on the salary schedule.
- Improve skills and professionalism in general or to pursue a ”leadership” position outside the classroom (school-based or district level).
- Advance as a ”teacher leader” through a graduate degree (already has a bachelor's degree and certification).
- Meet the needs of increasingly diverse students.
- Work in a traditional K-12 classroom environment (trainer, educational consultant, etc).
Completion Period for Master's Degrees
Northcentral University allows 5 years to complete all 30 credit hour master's programs. Normal time to complete varies depending upon the rate courses are taken and credits transferred.
Course Length
Existing MEd students may opt to switch to eight-week courses by contacting their Academic Advisor. Once existing MEd students have opted for eight-week courses, they must receive approval from the Office of the Dean to switch back to a program of 12-week courses. All eight-week courses are indicated by a "-8" (dash eight) at the end of the course code.
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU5000 / EDU5000-8 | Foundations for Graduate Study | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a Master's degree in Education. Graduate level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
Specialization Course 1 | ||
Specialization Course 2 | ||
Specialization Course 3 | ||
ED6001 / ED6001-8 | Educational Research | This graduate course will examine a comprehensive overview of research tools utilized by education practitioners. Students will be provided with a solid understanding of research concepts, skills, and principles such as data collection, literature reviews, and evaluation methods. |
Specialization Course 4 | ||
Specialization Course 5 | ||
Specialization Course 6 | ||
Specialization Course 7 | ||
ED6002 / ED6002-8 | Action Research Capstone | This graduate course emphasizes practical research skills utilized by education practitioners. Students will develop an action research project based on the scientific method and concepts presented in ED6001. The culminating product will reflect critical thinking, graduate level writing skills, and correct APA format. This course is open only to students pursuing the Master of Education. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU5000 / EDU5000-8 | Foundations for Graduate Study | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a Master's degree in Education. Graduate level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
OL5030-8 | Organizational Development | This Master's level course explores the theoretical and practical underpinnings of organizational development within the realm of education. Particular emphasis is placed on examining and understanding the intrinsic role of mission, vision, purpose, and core values in the development of an organization. Students examine the essential elements of effective leadership, dynamic culture, and interactive community and their influence in shaping organizational health and wellness. An assessment and critique of students' professional settings is at the heart of the course learning. Students evaluate their organizational issues, attempt solutions, and develop personal professional responses. In a broader context, organizational development as a discipline of study offers students ample opportunity to explore their leadership styles, communication and interaction techniques, as well as planning and implementation strategies. It is important that students have a holistic orientation and understanding of organizational development and the importance of their role in the development process. Students as current or future organizational leaders must understand the complexity of organizations in a time of rapid change and development. In this course, students will examine these diverse issues, the effects the issues have on the profession, as well as formulating a personal response to the issues. |
GTD5011-8 | Introduction to Best Practices for Training and Presenting to International Audiences | Global trainers are often required to create professional development opportunities for multinational audiences. This course will allow students to investigate best practices for training and presenting in nondomestic contexts. There will be opportunities to analyze the role of global leaders, the meaning of culture, and heuristic decision-making. In addition, global training skills will be honed through application of practices relative to international training and presenting. This course focuses on the consistent, logical process, which can be employed to create culturally appropriate professional development offerings. |
ED5012-8 | Leadership in Educational Organizations | This Master's level course is about effective leadership in educational organizations. It is particularly relevant for practicing school administrators, those who desire to become administrators, and classroom teachers who recognize the importance of leadership to positively impact education in our nation. Students pursuing a specialization in Educational Leadership are advised to take this as their first course of study. |
ED5038-8 | The Art and Science of Adult Education | Adult education is an exciting field and is equally exciting to be associated with as a student, faculty member, trainer, educator, or administrator. The field is growing and full of opportunity. More than 50% of all college students are over 21, with nearly 15% over 35. Adult students want and should be actively involved in their learning process. ED5038-8 provides students with a knowledge base organized around four domains: professional attitudes; historical, social, and philosophical context; adult learning and development; and, organization and administration of adult programs. |
EL5006-8 | Adult Learning Theories | During this Masters level course, students will examine and develop the skills in identifying, analyzing, and planning for the diversity in adult learning behaviors. Students will identify the strategies for developing critical thinking and reflective practice in adult students. Students will evaluate the principles of adult learning theory and how they can be used in the design of technology-based instruction to make it more effective. |
GTD5000-8 | Leading the Global Workforce: Paradigms and Possibilities | In a time when the global job marketplace is more volatile than ever, recruiting and retaining a stellar workforce has never been of greater importance. In this Masters level course, students will examine major issues that impact the global workforce. Through the exploration of successful business practices, various paradigms will be highlighted to demonstrate effective and efficient leadership with an eye toward maximizing human performance potential. |
GTD5013-8 | Evaluating Training Programs | In todays global training environment of frugal budgets and increasing accountability, stakeholders want to know the bottom line outcomes of training initiatives for the organization. How did a training program enhance the organizations performance and impact the workforce? This Masters level course provides graduate students the opportunity to investigate the critical components of successful training by exploring professional training programs and methods of evaluation. This course is designed to facilitate knowledge of fundamental concepts, principles, theories, and techniques of training evaluation. The underlying value of such knowledge for global trainers is the ability to understand how and why particular training programs are effective or ineffective. In this course, students will identify and clarify the training needs of organizations; select appropriate training approaches; and evaluate training outcomes. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
ED6002 / ED6002-8 | Action Research Capstone | This graduate course emphasizes practical research skills utilized by education practitioners. Students will develop an action research project based on the scientific method and concepts presented in ED6001. The culminating product will reflect critical thinking, graduate level writing skills, and correct APA format. This course is open only to students pursuing the Master of Education. |
At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. We have adopted an all-inclusive tuition model that gives you the cost of your Master of Education tuition and fees in one flat program rate*. The only additional cost above your MEd program rate is books. Learn more about the NCU’s MEd costs below:
- Per credit cost: $544
- Per 3 credit course cost: $1,631
- Program cost: $16,310
- Average book cost per course: $150
- Application Fee: $0
- Technology Fee: $0
- Registration Fee: $0
Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.
*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.
- Regionally Accredited
- No Physical Residency Requirements
- One-to-One Teaching
- 100% Doctoral Faculty
- Flexibility of Online Learning
- University Resources
To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 or start a live chat to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.
