Graduate Arts and Sciences 

Program Objectives
The Adult Learning and Training Concentration strengthens the ability of Adult Educators, Training Specialists, Program Designers, Technical Trainers, Performance Consultants, Health Education Professionals and individuals in career transition to develop skills and knowledge in designing and facilitating instructional/training programs that help adults learn in classroom and workshop environments. Learning objectives for the Master’s Degree Concentration in Adult Learning and Training are to:

• Analyze performance needs.
• Consult with sponsors in the development of strategies and learning programs.
• Design an intervention or instructional approach based on clear objectives.
• Facilitate programs using effective methodologies and techniques.
• Measure outcomes and evaluate performance improvement.
  

Curriculum
The Master of Science in Training and Organizational Development with a Concentration in Adult Learning and Training consists of twelve 3-credit courses. The thirty-six credits are distributed as follows:

Foundation Courses
The Foundation Courses are designed to ensure that all students in the program have a common body of knowledge in performance consulting and facilitation skills, creating learning designs and use of adult learning methods. All four Foundation courses are required

TOD 4115 Adult Learning: Theory and Application
TOD 4125 Adult Learning Methods
TOD 4135 Performance Consulting
TOD 4105 Learning Design and Implementation

Electives
These courses help students develop expertise in a specific area of interest. Students select four courses. Substitution is permissible under certain circumstances and advisor approval.

TOD 5205 Conflict and Negotiation
TOD 5215 Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
TOD 5235 Training and OD in Modern Organizations
TOD 5245 Coaching and Mentoring Skills
TOD 5255 Working with Groups
TOD 5265 Facilitation Skills
TOD 5285 Leadership Development: Methods for Training

Advanced Courses
The Advanced Courses are designed to provide students with advanced facilitation, influence, consulting and intervention skills.

TOD 6305 Organization Development: Theory and Application
TOD 6315 Intervention Skills: Strategy and Design
TOD 6325 Research Design and Evaluation
TOD 6335 Advance Seminar

Order of Taking Courses
Students should take the 4000 level Foundation Courses at the beginning of their studies and must complete
these courses before taking the 6000 Level Advanced Courses. Students can take 5000 Level Electives at any
time. Advanced courses are taken as the last series of courses. Refer to course descriptions for specific course
prerequisites.

Degree Requirements
To earn the Master of Science in Training and Organizational Development with a concentration in Adult Learning and Training (ALT), students must satisfactorily complete 12 courses/36 credits. Two courses (six credits) may be transferred as long as they are in accord with program requirements and university standards. Transcripts must be submitted prior to matriculation.

Course Descriptions for Adult Learning and Training

Four Required Foundation Courses (ALT)

TOD 4115 Adult Learning: Theory and Application 3 Credits
Course introduces students to adult education theory that focuses on how adults learn, application of adult education theory, skills required in the delivery of adult learning programs and an introduction to group process. Students have an opportunity to develop a professional learning theory and model. Students also discover their learning style and how style impacts their ability to use their theory and model. Use of feedback as a tool for learning allows students to realize how to improve their facilitation approach.

TOD 4125 Adult Learning Methods 3 Credits
Major delivery methods and techniques that foster adult learning are discussed and demonstrated. Key elements are discussed that allow students to effectively facilitate adult learning methods that enhance individual and group learning. Emphasis is placed on student participation that fosters experiential learning. Impact of communication style on delivery effectiveness is also discussed. Some methods include case studies, role-plays, small groups, games, simulations, questioning techniques and icebreakers. Prerequisite TOD 4115

TOD 4135 Performance Consulting 3 Credits
Course presents to the training and organizational development professional the practical tools necessary to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of learning and change programs. A specific technology is presented in a step by step approach, which links the collaborative consulting process with performance assessment. The course focuses on increasing the students’ ability to communicate and work with leaders in their organization.

TOD 4145 Learning Design and Implementation 3 Credits
Major steps in creating and designing adult education learning programs are discussed. Students develop a program that demonstrates their understanding of the key components of instructional design. Specific topics include: collaborative relationships with customers / management, needs assessment, analyzing data, writing learning objectives, cost effectiveness of programs, selecting and sequencing content, developing learning materials and constructing evaluative instruments.

Choose Four Electives (ALT)

TOD 5205 Conflict and Negotiation 3 Credits
The course involves students in a process that includes research, conflict analysis and communication. Modeled in part upon the Harvard Negotiation Project’s Getting to Yes methodology, the course also involves newly emerging practices that challenge the notion of argument and encourages exchange between disputing parties. The focus of the course is to help students hear and understand one another’s stories who are embroiled in a conflict.

TOD 5215 Creative Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Skills 3 Credits
Critical thinking – reflecting on the assumptions underlying our actions and considering new ways of looking at the world and living in it – is an essential skill for adults in complex times. Critical thinkers do not passively accept what they read, rather reflect to see new alternatives. Course is a comprehensive guide for helping adults learn how to make worthwhile contributions at work and influence those around them. Students have an opportunity to identify and overcome personal and organizational barriers.

TOD 5235 Training and OD in Modern Organizations 3 Credits
An overview course that focuses on the emerging trends and implications for training / organization development, entrepreneurial efforts within organizations, external and internal consulting, change agent issues and skills, need for congruence between individual’s goals and those of organizations, positioning training, and positioning yourself for a leadership position.

TOD 5245 Coaching and Mentoring Skills 3 Credits
Interactive course focuses on increasing the student’s ability to communicate and influence leaders, peers, participants and clients. Specific topic areas include: giving and receiving feedback, identifying and understanding communication style preferences, learning how to listen for the "real issues," coaching and influencing skills and corporate mentoring programs.

TOD 5255 Groups: Theory and Experience 3 Credits
Course focuses on working within groups to explain the major concepts in group dynamics and learning skills / techniques to work with groups in a training environment. Areas of discussion include: advantages and disadvantages of problem solving in groups, identifying constructive and destructive group behavior, mechanics of participation, function of group norms in group process, influence and power in groups, stages of group maturity and roles taken by group members.

TOD 5265 Facilitating Adult Learning  3 Credits
Adult learning, as it relates to training/organization development, involves a combination of facilitation, presentation and consulting skills. Course focuses on strategies that increase students’ ability to interact with individuals and groups in these areas. Impromptu and planned presentations are videotaped for students to receive constructive feedback. Facilitation techniques include managing question-and-answer sessions, dealing with resistive participants and getting stalled sessions/groups going.

TOD 5285 Leadership Development: Methods for Training 3 Credits
The success of an organization greatly depends on how well individuals work with people. Course examines how training fits within an organization, what competencies are critical, and best to effect long-term learning and behavioral change. Course focuses on creating a training strategy by consulting with organizational leaders and using needs assessment information.

ORG 7025 Career Development: Theory and Practice 3 Credits
Course provides students with a basic understanding of the career development field. A general overview of theories, practice and research will be conducted. In addition, topics such as assessment, gender, choice, interventions and career management are discussed.
Permission of Instructor  

Four Required Advanced Courses (ALT)

TOD 6305 Organizational Development: Theory & Application 3 Credits
Course presents an overview of the fundamental components of organization development. Case studies are discussed and analyzed to demonstrate the fundamental components of OD. Practical skills and approaches are studied, such as change techniques and strategies, influence methods in dealing with leaders and consulting / learning models. Focus of course helps students implement successful learning or change programs in their organization. Topics of discussion include developing sponsorship, action research methods, survey feedback approaches and dealing with conflict. TOD Students Only
Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation Courses

TOD 6315 Intervention Skills: Strategy and Design  3 Credits
Students have an opportunity to complete a project demonstrating action research methodology. Course centers on understanding how to use interventions and what the impact interventions can have within an organizational setting. Students have an opportunity to design and facilitate interventions both in class and in their organization to assure the successful implementation of change and/or individual learning takes place within their project.  Prerequisite TOD 6305

TOD 6325 Research Design and Evaluation 3 Credits
Course helps student’s design and evaluate research in their respective organization or field of study. Methods are presented for application to work situations. Topics include: the similarities and differences between theoretical and applied research, use of data-gathering techniques, writing of research reports and evaluation methods for change, learning and research projects.

TOD 6335 Advanced Seminar  3 Credits
A capstone course and the last course taken in the Training and Organizational Development Graduate Program. Course provides students the opportunity to complete a professional paper on a topic / issue of their choice utilizing research methods and statistics. Students also complete an independent/group project leading to the design and facilitation of a learning or change project. Prerequisite TOD 6325