What can the EdD in Adult and Community Education equip you for?
Upcoming Webinars
Attend a live webinar to learn more about the graduate Adult and Community Education programs. You will receive an application fee waiver after the event, just for registering.
To be an educator in a variety of classrooms.
If not a college professor.
Maybe a social services administrator.
A higher education administrator.
Or an academic advisor.
A director or coordinator of a nonprofit.
Or a workplace consultant.
What You'll Learn
Ball State’s doctorate of education (EdD) in adult and community education can prep you for a wide span of careers. You learn to develop critical skills and conduct research in teaching and learning, program planning, leadership, continuing education, community organizing, organizational management, and evaluation, using a social justice framework.
Quick Facts
- Delivery: online or blend of online and on campus
- Credits: 91
- No GRE Required
- Offered by Ball State's Teachers College which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
- Contact: Dr. Michelle Glowacki-Dudka
You’ll be prepared to work in areas such as:
- Education
- Government
- Community
- Business
- Industry
The doctorate provides professional development for positions that manage educational programs for adults. Roles include . . .
- Educator
- College professor or instructor
- Training program director/manager
- Workplace educator
- Volunteer coordinator
- Nonprofit director/coordinator
- Social services administrator
- Consultant
- Academic advisor
- Higher education administrator
Knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values regarding teaching, learning, evaluating, planning, program development, leadership, policy, and research are at the core of the doctorate.
Course work in this program shows you how power issues impact decisions and policies, particularly as they relate to race and diversity.
Because the EdD offers so many electives, you can choose from three majors or cognates, including . . .
- Higher education
- Community college leadership
- Adult and community education
- All university major fields of study for our doctoral degrees.
Professor Chang: What to Consider When Teaching Adult Learners
"There are many differences between adult learners and non-adult learners, besides the fact that adult learners have to balance responsibilities for their jobs, family, and learning."
Read Her Story
Courses
For the EdD in Adult and Community Education, you will take a minimum of 91 graduate credits beyond your bachelor’s degree. If you already hold a master’s degree from another institution, some of your previous credits may be transferred to the doctoral program. This is determined by your doctoral committee.
At least 48 of the 91 credits must be completed at Ball State. This includes:
- at least half of the required research credits
- at least half of the required core credits
- at least half of the doctoral cognate courses
For a complete list of required courses and their descriptions, see the course catalog.
View Catalog
- EDAC 631 Adult and Community Education (3 credits)
- EDAC 634 The Adult as a Learner (3 credits)
- EDAC 635 Strategies for Teaching Adults (3 credits)
- EDAC 648 The Community Educator (3 credits)
- EDAC 655 Cont Ed for Professionals (3 credits)
- EDST 697 The Grant Process and Research (3 credits)
- EDAC 700 Seminar in Adult and Community Education (Adult & Community Education Majors) (3 credits)
- EDAC 780 Seminar in Managing Life Long Learning (3 credits)
- EDPS 640 Methodology of Educational and Psychological Research (3 credits)
- EDPS 641 Statistical Methods and Educational Psychological Research (3 credits)
- EDST 671 Evaluation of Educational Programs (3 credits)
- EDAC 730 Practicum in Adult and Community Education (3 credits)
- EDAC 710 Research Seminar in Adult and Community Education (3 credits)
- ID 705 Research Colloquium (3 credits)
- EDST 650 Introduction to Qualitative Research (3 credits)
Four (4) courses are selected in consultation with the Doctoral Committee:
- EDAC 629 Psychology of Adult Adjustment (3 credits)
- EDAC 632 Organizing Adult and Community Education Programs (3 credits)
- EDAC 638 Program Planning in Adult and Community Education (3 credits)
- EDAC 640 Foundations of Adult and Community Education (3 credits)
- EDAC 644 Collaborative Learning (3 credits)
- EDAC 646 Working in Voluntary Community Agencies (3 credits)
- EDAC 681 Managing Community Education (3 credits)
- EDAC 698 Seminar in Adult and Community Education (3-6 credits)
- EDAC 699 Internship in Adult and Community Education (3 credits)
- EDST 655 Introduction to Mixed Methods Research (3 credits)
- EDHI 610 Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDCC 640 The Community College (3 credits)
Cognate Courses 24 - 30 credits
By completing a dissertation, you’ll earn your final 10 credits for your doctoral degree.
- DISS 799 Doctoral Disesrtation (1 to 24 credits)
You may not register for dissertation credits until you’ve done both of the following:
- Completed all other course work
- Passed the doctoral comprehensive exams
Additional Benefits
The EdD offers practical applications of the theoretical constructs you’ll learn in the classroom.
Ball State faculty are practitioners and have pursued research in several countries, frequently looking at educational leadership and social justice in higher education. Enrollments are limited so that student engagement opportunities with faculty experts are increased.
Read Their Bios
An active faculty means you, too, have numerous opportunities for professional activity through research and project collaboration, attending conference presentations, and doing scholarly writing.
More about Online Learning
Ready to Apply?
Review our admission requirements, dates and deadlines, and instructions. Then complete our online application.
Apply Now
For International Students
Before applying, contact Dr. Michelle Glowacki-Dudka to learn about customizing a degree plan that works for international students.
More Information
Do you want to learn more about our program or have questions about the application process or financial aid? We’re here to help! You may either request more information by completing our simple online form, or you may contact program director Dr. Michelle Glowacki-Dudka directly by phone or email.