UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Adult Education | Doctor of Philosophy
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Adult Education The Ph.D. in Adult Education provides leadership to individuals concerned with the research, teaching and learning of adults. Courses and experiences are offered for the continuing professional development of employed individuals and the preparation of new skills for those intending to enter adult education as a field of study. The typical advanced degree student in adult education is a full-time professional attending school on a part-time basis. Students tend to have three major areas of variance: setting, subject area, and role. These areas change for each person, creating an extreme diversity of students to be served by one degree program. The setting is typically the institution or agency in which the student is employed or seeking employment. Students tend to come from a variety of settings--including both educational and non-educational ones.
Each student's area of specialty is subject-centered. Frequently, this may be related to his/her undergraduate degree, but it is not limited to that area. Students within adult education tend to emphasize a particular subject area based on their specific job requirements. The student's role relates to the particular job responsibilities in which he/she functions at the place of employment. Students are generally in one of three major roles: 1) a learning facilitator; 2) a program developer; or 3) an administrator. The Ph.D. is a research degree that is granted on the basis of evidence of proficiency and distinctive achievement in a specific field. Students must demonstrate the ability to conduct original, independent investigation and to produce new knowledge. Basic Requirements for Admission Students must meet University requirements (see online Graduate Catalog at http:// www.grad.usf.edu) as well as the requirements listed below. The program faculty will consider each applicant in light of his or her qualifications and likelihood of success. Applications are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year, although the offering of courses favors fall semester for initial registration. The faculty employ a holistic approach to the admissions consideration, taking into account all of the information and balancing test scores, previous grade point averages, rec-
ommendations, professional experiences and successes. However, the program faculty give preference to candidates presenting: 1.
Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (B) minimum of 60 hours on the baccalaureate degree or a grade point average of 3.5 at the master's level.
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Strong overall GRE scores. If a score in one area is low, the other should be considerably higher.
3.
Three letters of recommendation and a statement of goals or reasons for interest in the doctoral degree program to be submitted directly to the department.
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Favorable recommendations from program faculty.
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Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. If an applicant does not have any formal coursework or formal experience in adult education before his/her advanced graduate coursework, the student may need to take some introductory adult education courses.
6.
An optional personal interview with the Admissions Committee if the applicant has no previous relationship with the faculty.
Outline of Degree Plan A minimum of 83-84 semester hours after the master's degree is required. The hours must be distributed in the following manner: Degree Plan Components Semester Hours Specialization 24 Cognate Area 12 Curriculum 3 Statistics/Measurement/ Research Design 12 (includes 8 hours of statistics courses) Foundations 8-9 Dissertation 24 TOTAL 83-84 It is recommended that all Ph.D. candidates should: n Observe and critique at least two proposal and two dissertation final defenses (two within department and two outside if possible). n Organize a major part of a conference or a doctoral student colloquium/symposium. n Author and/or co-author at least one refereed journal article (must be researchbased). n Participate in research project with an approved faculty member. n Attend one national and one state adult education conference. n Deliver formal presentation on a research area of interest (to faculty or professional meeting). n Assist a professor in teaching a course; be responsible for presenting/facilitating several units.
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Participate in a significant job-shadowing experience with someone in a position consistent with professional goals. Assist USF Faculty member in making major revisions to existing course or develop new course. Work on district- or institution-level research study with a faculty member. Serve on college/university policy committee for one year. Participate in national certification program. Conduct other activities approved by the Coordinator for Adult Education or other Program faculty.
For more information contact Dr. William Young at 813-974-1861 or wyoung@coedu.usf.edu.
Faculty Listing Dr. Rosemary Closson Assistant Professor, Adult Education Email: closson@coedu.usf.edu Dr. Waynne James Professor, Adult Education Email: wjames7846@aol.com Dr. W. Robert Sullins, Interim Chair Professor, Higher Education Email: rsullins@ugs.usf.edu Dr. William H. Young III Professor, Adult and Higher Education Coordinator for Adult Education Email: wyoung@coedu.usf.edu
Adult Education Department of Adult, Career and Higher Education College of Education University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Avenue, EDU162 Tampa, Florida 33620 Physical location EDU151 Telephone (813) 974-1861 | Fax (813) 974-3366 | www.coedu.usf.edu