Program Overview

Educating Adults (EA) Program

The Educating Adults (EA) program is designed for individuals who wish to enhance their skills in educating adults in various settings. The program offers a range of courses that focus on adult learning, program design, and facilitation.

Course Descriptions

• EA 505: Applied Inquiry Project Proposal I: This 0.5 quarter hour graduate course emphasizes selecting a project topic, identifying primary users, and conducting a literature review.
• EA 506: Applied Inquiry Project Proposal II: This 0.5 quarter hour graduate course emphasizes shaping and designing the inquiry project and outlining the final product.
• EA 507: Applied Inquiry Project Proposal I: This 1 quarter hour graduate course covers the same content as EA 505 but with a different credit hour allocation.
• EA 508: Applied Inquiry Project Proposal II: This 1 quarter hour graduate course covers the same content as EA 506 but with a different credit hour allocation.
• EA 515: Developing Professional Identity: In this 4 quarter hour graduate course, students reflect on their professional identity, examine their practice in the context of philosophical traditions, and construct their own philosophy of education.
• EA 516: Designing Educational Offerings: This 4 quarter hour graduate course introduces students to major components involved in designing educational offerings for adult learners.
• EA 517: Facilitating Adult Learning: Students in this 4 quarter hour graduate course develop and hone skills to facilitate adult learning in various settings.
• EA 518: Enhancing Practice with Theory: This 4 quarter hour graduate course teaches students how to draw on theories relevant to their area of focus to enhance their professional practice.
• EA 525: Conducting Practice-Based Inquiry: In this 4 quarter hour graduate course, students are introduced to methods, strategies, and techniques appropriate for qualitative research designs.
• EA 526: Assessing Adult Learning: This 4 quarter hour graduate course focuses on various approaches for assessing learning outcomes of individuals in ways that contribute to the learning process.
• EA 528: Applied Inquiry Project: Each student designs and carries out a project that addresses a significant question or issue in their area of practice, aiming to enhance practice informed by relevant frameworks and ideas.
• EA 528C: Applied Inquiry Project Capstone: Within the structure of this 4 quarter hour graduate course, students complete their Applied Inquiry Projects, the culminating project of their Master of Arts in Educating Adults (MAEA) program.
• EA 535: Reflective Practice Seminar I: This 0.5 quarter hour graduate course is a faculty mentor-guided session where students revisit their selected area of practice and plan for development of the Elements of Reflective Practice.
• EA 536: Reflective Practice Seminar II: Students meet with their faculty mentor for group reflection and review of their progress in the program.
• EA 537: Reflective Practice Seminar III: This seminar offers students an opportunity to get feedback on plans for the Applied Inquiry Project and conduct an informal mid-program review.
• EA 538: Reflective Practice Seminar IV: Near the end of the program, students join their faculty mentors in a summit to review their program and engage in discussion on their next steps.
• EA 540: Designing and Delivering Technology-Enhanced Learning Offerings: This 4 quarter hour graduate course focuses on designing and delivering educational experiences using various technological applications.
• EA 541: Teaching with Writing in Any Course: This online 2 quarter hour graduate course explores practical ideas for in-class writing assignments and strategies for developing assignments and providing feedback.
• EA 542: Designing Outcome-Based Evaluation: Each student designs a plan for outcome-based program evaluation along with evaluation tools relevant to their practice setting.
• EA 543: Innovative Facilitating GFDIS: Students participate in SNL's Adult Learning Innovation Institute and learn innovative strategies for engaging and motivating adult learners.
• EA 544: Building Games for Learning GFDIS: This course focuses on applying game concepts and game techniques supported by foundational theories to create interactive serious games for virtual delivery.
• EA 545: Partnering for Social Action GFDIS: Students engage in community settings throughout Chicago, learning how to observe social agency in action, build relationships, and participate in service opportunities.
• EA 546: Educating for Social Justice GFDIS: Students critically examine and apply diverse ways of defining, analyzing, and engaging in social justice education as both educators and learners.
• EA 547: Designing Online Learning: This course addresses the process of designing effective, learner-centered online offerings such as webinars, workshops, or modules for use in formal education or training settings.

Program Requirements

• Status as an MAEA student or departmental permission is a prerequisite for many of the EA courses.
• Specific prerequisites may apply to certain courses, such as EA 528C: Applied Inquiry Project Capstone, which requires LLS 450B.

Research Areas

The EA program encompasses a wide range of research areas related to adult education, including but not limited to:

• Adult learning theories and practices
• Program design and development for adult learners
• Facilitation techniques for adult education
• Qualitative research methods in adult education
• Assessment and evaluation of adult learning programs
• Technology-enhanced learning for adults
• Social justice and community engagement in adult education

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for the EA program are not specified in the provided context. It is recommended to consult the official DePaul University website or contact their admissions office for the most current and accurate information regarding tuition and fees.

Admission Criteria

Admission criteria for the EA program, including requirements for GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, are not detailed in the provided context. Prospective students should visit the DePaul University website or contact the admissions office for comprehensive information on admission requirements and procedures.

Conclusion

The Educating Adults (EA) program at DePaul University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals involved in adult education. With its focus on adult learning theories, program design, facilitation techniques, and research methods, the program prepares graduates to effectively educate and support adult learners in various contexts.