Doctor of Education in Adult Education and Human Resource Development

Program Leader: Dr. Tonette S. Rocco
E-mail: roccot@fiu.edu
Phone: 305-348-6151
Department: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Brief Description of the Program:

The doctoral program in Adult Education and Human Resource Development (AE/HRD) prepares advanced professionals to facilitate individual, organizational, and career development and advancement of adults in the nation and the world. Participants interested in pursuing the global perspective in greater depth may select the program specialization in International and Intercultural Development Education (IIDE).

Graduates are equipped to design and facilitate programs for adult clients, employees, volunteers, students, and associates of profit and not-profit organizations.  These professionals may be engaged in program development and evaluation, planning, policy development and analysis, leadership, instruction and training, counseling and advisement, consultation, and marketing and recruitment activities designed to further the growth and development of adult learners.  They may also be engaged in improving organizational functioning through educationally-related intervention strategies or working with other performance improvement consultants.

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree program in Adult Education and Human Resource Development with the specialization in International and Intercultural Development Education (IIDE) is designed (a) to serve the advanced professional development needs of individuals concerned with the improvement of education and development, planning, research, training, evaluation and other types of developmental programs, distance learning and innovative practices which focus on adult learners and (b) to provide technical assistance, consultation, and other professional services to organizations that conduct, sponsor and/or promote adult education and human resource development programs in the context of intercultural and international areas and/or projects. Participants in the AE/HRD doctoral program come from diverse backgrounds: business and industry; higher education; public and proprietary schools; health and social services agencies; law enforcement and corrections; the military, government, and non-governmental agencies; religious organizations; libraries and museums; and civic and professional associations.
The program caters to working professionals with evening and Saturday classes and offers courses at both the University Park Campus in Miami and the Broward-Pines Center in Pembroke Pines.

Admission Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees (or equivalent) from accredited institutions;
2. Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of upper-division undergraduate coursework and at least a 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) in all graduate courses;
3. A minimum combined score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal and quantitative tests;
4. A résumé describing at least the past five years of employment history and significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.;
5. Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which (two are preferred) must be from a person familiar with the applicant’s previous graduate work and able to comment knowledgeably on the applicant’s ability to perform advanced graduate-level work;
6. Evidence of commitment to a career in the broad field of adult education, human resource development or international and intercultural development education;
7. Evidence of successful professional experience in one of more of the above fields;
8. Potential for leadership or research in the above fields.

Program Requirements:

Doctoral programs of study vary according to the individual needs of the participants, their academic backgrounds, and their current or anticipated professional goals. A typical program will require a minimum of 96 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree and will involve the categories of courses noted below. The list should be considered as a sample program rather than an absolute delineation of exact requirements. A student’s program of study is planned through consultations with the student, the major professor, and the supervisory committee members. Below are two examples of what a program of study might look like for 1) a student who did not earn a master’s degree in adult education or human resource development, and 2) a student who did earn a master’s in adult education or human resource development.

Program of Study:

 Additional Program Information:

1. Transfer Credit: A maximum of 36 to 42 credit hours may be transferred into the doctoral program from a master’s degree program. Graduate credit is not awarded for life experiences. Acceptance of transfer credits for a course is dependent upon the following provisions:
1. The student received a grade of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale;
2. The course was taken at an accredited institution;
3. The course was relevant, as judged by an appropriate committee of the department or program, to the graduate program in which the student is accepted;
4. The course is listed on an official transcript received by Graduate Admissions;
5. The course will be no older than 6 years or 9 years at the time of graduation with a master's or doctoral degree, respectively (does not apply to credits earned as part of a completed graduate degree).

1. Additional information regarding graduate transfer credit may be found at the University Graduate School website/Graduate Policies and Procedures manual at http://www.fiu.edu/~ugs/gpm/.

1. Time Limit: All program requirements, including the successful defense of the dissertation, must be completed within nine (9) years of first enrollment in the doctoral program.

Faculty Advisor: A student admitted to the doctoral program is assigned a temporary faculty advisor to provide guidance in the initial selection of program courses. During the first semester of doctoral study, or upon completion of twelve (12) credits of advised doctoral coursework, the student is expected to choose a Major Professor and Supervisory Committee. The primary function of the Supervisory Committee is to oversee the preparation and completion of the program of studies and the development and evaluation of the candidacy examination.

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