Concentration in Adult Learning and Training
Program Objectives
The Adult Learning and Training Concentration (ALT) strengthens the ability of Adult Educators, Trainers Facilitators, Curriculum Designers, Instructional Designers, Technical Trainers, Consultants, Health Education Professionals, and individuals in career transition, to develop skills and knowledge in designing and facilitating training and development 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 learning and performance needs
- Consult with employers and clients to develop learning strategies, training programs and workshops
- Design interventions and instructional approaches that meet objectives
- Increase self awareness about personal learning and professional development
- Facilitate programs based in adult learning principles, methods and techniques
- Measure outcomes and evaluate performance improvement
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Organization Development and Leadership with a Concentration in Adult Learning and Training consists of twelve 3-credit courses. The thirty-six credits are distributed as follows:
Foundation Courses |
4 Courses/12 Credits |
Electives |
4 Courses/12 Credits |
Advanced Courses |
4 Courses/12 Credits |
Foundation Courses
The Foundation Courses are designed to ensure that all students in the program have a common body of knowledge and experience in adult learning, consultation, facilitation and learning designs. All four Foundation courses are required.
Adult Learning: Theory and Application |
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Adult Learning Methods |
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Performance Consulting |
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Learning Design and Implementation |
Electives
These courses help students develop expertise in a specific area of interest. Students select four courses. The courses below are a sample of electives that can be taken. Substitution is permissible with permission of your advisor. Foundation courses from the Organization Psychology Concentration can be taken as electives.
ODL 648 |
Conflict and Negotiation |
Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills |
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Training and OD in Modern Organizations |
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Coaching and Mentoring Skills |
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Leading Teams |
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Facilitating Adult Learning |
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Leadership Development: Methods for Training |
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ODL 645 |
Leadership Principles |
ODL 675 |
Implementing Change |
Career Development: Theory and Practice |
|
ODL 620 |
Psychological Assessments |
ODL 625 |
Psychology of Executive Coaching |
ODL 630 |
Leadership Psychology and Team Development |
ODL 635 |
Seminar in Organizational Psychology Issues |
ODL 647 |
Appreciative Inquiry |
ODL 660 |
Strategic Leadership |
ODL 688 |
Social Media and Learning |
ODL 695 |
Organization Consulting: A Gestalt Approach |
Advanced Courses
The Advanced Courses are designed to provide students with advanced facilitation, influence, consulting and intervention skills.
Organization Development: Theory and Application |
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Intervention Skills: Strategy and Design |
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Research Design and Evaluation |
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Advanced Seminar |
Order of Taking Courses
Students should take the Foundation Courses at the beginning of their studies and must complete these courses before taking the 700 Level Advanced Courses. 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 Organization Development and Leadership with a concentration in Adult Learning and Training, 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.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Organization Development and Leadership Graduate Program with a concentration in Adult Learning and Training must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must have two or more years of professional work experience in organizations and with adult learners. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 2.7 have to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores and request provisional status for admission.
Applicants should submit or have sent to the Office of Graduate Operations the following:
- a completed Saint Joseph’s University graduate application.
- official sealed transcript(s) of undergraduate/graduate coursework. If you are a SJU graduate the Office of Graduate Operations will obtain your SJU transcripts for you.
- a current resumé
- two letters of recommendation from at least two faculty appraising the candidate’s promise and capacity for graduate study, reflecting, from a professional’s point of view, the candidate’s ability to pursue a rigorous, independent course of study at the graduate level.
- a personal statement outlining the candidate’s professional goals and educational objectives for the program, including the applicant’s rationale for program choice and professional study.
- $35 application fee – waived if attended an Open House or an SJU graduate.