Adult Education Degree - Quantitative
EdD - Adult Education Degree - Quantitative
Earning a quantitative EdD in Adult Education and Learning can prepare you to be an innovator in the field of adult education. This post-master’s program allows learners to equip themselves with the knowledge and abilities necessary to improve student outcomes and create an effective learning environment for adult students.
GCU's quantitative doctorate in adult education program allows learners in the program to engage in advanced quantitative research methodology. Learners will develop a dissertation through the analysis of hard data and other quantitative approaches, allowing them to participate in the advancement of their field.
Lead Adult Learners With an EdD in Teaching and Learning
Classes and coursework within the quantitative adult education doctorate program allow students to:
- Explore the history and philosophy of teaching and learning
- Analyze current technology innovations that improve learning outcomes
- Synthesize contemporary adult learning theory with a Christian worldview
- Apply quantitative research principles in the design of ethical and original research
- Evaluate how to fulfill the educational needs of adult learners
Every course within the program prepares students both to complete their dissertation and to apply what they have learned in the education setting. The program encourages students to build upon their existing skills in education and grow them through cutting-edge theory and their own original research.
Earning Your EdD at GCU
Grand Canyon University strives to incorporate the Christian worldview into each program. This post-master's adult education program prepares students to approach education through biblical principles. Courses show graduates how to enact moral, ethical education practices that align with the Christian worldview while working in the 21st century classroom.
Doctorate (EdD) in Adult Education & Learning Career Outlook
Graduates of the EdD in Adult Education and Learning are equipped for high-level positions in education at both the school and district levels. The program helps professional educators to specialize in adult education and allows them to advance their careers and can even increase their lifetime earnings. Students who complete the program will have acquired the necessary skillset to move beyond the classroom and administration setting and drive innovation within adult education.
For students who wish to pursue education even further, GCU offers the opportunity for graduates of this program to transfer some of their credits to the Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning degree. This doctorate-level degree can additionally equip students to obtain high-level positions at the administration level or above.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces doctoral learners to the principle elements of research, scholarly writing, and effective argumentation. Learners are made aware of the dispositions and expectations of doctoral researchers as well as the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility of scholars to contribute new knowledge to their respective fields of study. Learners begin the process of identifying a researchable dissertation topic and are acquainted with appropriate scholarly resources that support the development of the dissertation.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to the critical reading of scholarly qualitative and quantitative literature at the doctoral level. Learners also explore the concept of synthesizing the scholarly literature to identify problems and problem spaces that emerge to form a researchable topic of study. The application of scholarly argumentation from the extant literature to defend the need for a research study is discussed.
Course Description
The course presents a foundation of historic and philosophic ideas in teaching and learning. Learners are encouraged to consider the connections between history, philosophy, teaching, and learning as well as the influence of these concepts on the development of a personal philosophy of teaching and learning.
Course Description
The course provides a chronological overview of learning theories and their common applications. Connections between theory and philosophy of teaching and learning are explored.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to key components of qualitative and quantitative research designs and the means to critically appraise the application of research designs as observed in the scholarly literature. The University's core research designs are presented. Consideration is given to the initial selection and defense of a research design to address a problem that emerged from the extant literature.
Course Description
This residency allows learners to continue developing their skills as academic researchers. Learners will have hands-on experience applying quantitative and qualitative design principals to develop the foundational elements for their potential dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-850, RES-825, RES-831, or RCS-831.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods employed in qualitative and quantitative research designs. Learners explore the alignment of sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods to the research topic, research questions, and research design. The course positions learners to select qualitative or quantitative designs for their dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-831.
Course Description
The course presents theories and models of adult learning for consideration. Potential applications of the theories and models are discussed as are current trends in adult learning.
Course Description
This course connects key concepts in worldview to adult learning. Learners are encouraged to synthesize worldview and adult learning concepts as they move toward the development or refinement of a personal worldview.
Course Description
In this course, learners explore the basic components of quantitative research design. Attention is given to variables, instrumentation, and sources of data. Reliability and validity of instrumentation is discussed in the context of GCU core quantitative research designs.
Course Description
In this course, learners interact with statistical tests and statistical analysis software in the context of designing a quantitative research study. Alignment of statistical tests to research questions, hypotheses and design is stressed as is determining the feasibility of a quantitative research study. Ethical aspects of research are discussed. Prerequisite: RES-842.
Course Description
The course outlines the process of transformational learning and discusses its application to adult learning. The notions of practitioners as transformational catalysts and the influence of transformation learning on adult learning design are also addressed.
Course Description
This course addresses the current mindset surrounding the notion of collaboration and proposes a paradigm shift to a mindset that redefines collaboration and integrates it with coaching and mentoring. The course includes a discussion of strategies employed by coaches/mentors to support leadership and ensure a positive organizational culture.
Course Description
In this residency, learners orally present and defend an expanded design of their preliminary dissertation research from RSD-851. Emphasis is placed on developing the quantitative dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. RES-844.
Course Description
The course considers the application of adult learning theory and philosophy of adult learning as they lead to solutions for enhanced teaching and learning. Connections between theory and practice are highlighted.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: RES-871, TLC-885, RSD-883, or RSD-884.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on data collection, data preparation and management, and the analysis of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisite: RES-844.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: TLC-955.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisite: RES-874.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: TLC-960.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.