The EdD in Adult Learning program is informed by a rich heritage rooted in a commitment to human, community and social development. Designed for practitioners, the EdD provides candidates with the necessary leadership, critical thinking, and research skills to make an impact in their community. EdD graduates in this specialty serve in post-secondary teaching and administration roles, as teaching and learning consultants, and in non-profit organizations. As a hub of interdisciplinarity, the focus of graduate studies within this specialization is on adult learning and adult education. Our graduate students draw from multiple and diverse contexts and interest areas including traditional post-secondary and continuing education, business and industry, NGOs, community development, and international organizations.
Program Delivery
-
Blended - Online and Face-to-Face
EdD Summer Residency: Six-week summer program (blended delivery), including two weeks on-campus at UCalgary, followed by four weeks online. Please note program delivery is subject to change based on provincial health guidelines.
Fall/Winter Semesters: Online
A registration package will be sent to new students after they have been admitted. Registration for the summer term will be available in late winter. Fall and Winter registration opens in the spring. Your Graduate Program Administrator will send more information about registration to you.
Fee details are available through the University Calendar. An explanation of fees is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies' website.
As a Graduate Student you are expected to devote the time, effort, and energy necessary to engage in scholarship. As a graduate student, you will determine the specific milestones and requirements of your program of study in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar and with your graduate supervisor.
An integral part of the doctoral experience is working closely with a supervisor on the development and completion of a research project. A graduate supervisor mentors graduate students through regular meetings and research training aimed at research, scholarship, teaching and professional development. Graduate supervisors support students in the timely completion of their programs. As a Graduate Student, you are expected to meet with your graduate supervisor on a regular basis. While each student-supervisor relationship is unique, graduate supervisors can assist graduate students in a number of ways: advising on course selection, applying for awards and scholarships, obtaining research funds, applying for teaching assistant and sessional teaching opportunities, developing track records in refereed publications and conference presentations, getting involved in leadership and service, and encouraging and supporting apprenticeship in a research community of practice (collaborative review of papers, grants, academic writing, and data analysis).
In the EdD program a supervisor is normally appointed at the time of admission.
Please visit the candidacy and dissertation section of our website for information.
Completing my doctorate changed my life in more ways than I thought it would; I have truly been enriched! If you are considering graduate studies, stop kicking the tires and take the plunge, you won't regret it!
Maya Daniel, EdD
Adult Learning
Maya graduated with her EdD in Adult Learning in 2022. Read more about Maya's journey
Program Schedule
A list of required courses for the EdD in Adult Learning program is below. Completion of additional and relevant coursework outside of the required courses may be discussed with your supervisor.
Program Notes
Please consult the Graduate Calendar for course descriptions and the Academic Schedule for important dates and deadlines.
Course outlines are normally posted in D2L 1-2 weeks prior to the start of the term.
Years 1 and 2 have blended courses in the summer which include an on-campus component.
-
Year 1
Summer (blended)
EDER 733.04 L02 (50339) Advanced Adult Learning Theory & Contexts
and
EDER 733.05 L01 (50338) Discourses in Adult EducationFall (online)
EDER 711 L01 (72688) Advanced Research Methodologies
Winter (online)
EDER 712 L03 (14000) Advanced Research Methodologies II
-
Year 2
Summer (blended)
EDER 733.06 Adult Education and Society
and
EDER 733.01 Adult Education and Global IssuesFall (online)
EDER 707 Collaboratory of Practice I
Winter (online)
EDER 708 Collaboratory of Practice II
-
Years 3-6
The work completed in years 3-6 is variable and depends on your pace. Students have up to six years to complete their EdD program.
Candidacy
Candidacy must be completed within 28 months from the program start date.
Dissertation
Your dissertation is the focus of your degree program.
Students enrol in Dissertation Seminar once you have successfully completed your candidacy exam and have begun to work on your dissertation. Dissertation Seminar is offered every fall and winter term.
Fall Terms (online)
EDER 709 L01 (71212) Dissertation Seminar I
Winter Terms (online)EDER 710 L01 (11214) Dissertation Seminar II
Prospective students: how to apply
Visit our Future EdD students page for current EdD specializations, admission requirements and application details.