Program Overview

Adult Learning and Education Diploma Program

The Adult Learning and Education Diploma program is designed for professionals seeking to acquire new skills or build on their current knowledge base regarding adult learning. This program is particularly suitable for those who do not wish to pursue a graduate degree but are interested in developing skills and knowledge in organizing, conducting, evaluating, or administering programs for adult learners.

About the Program

Typical students in this program range from business professionals to government workers, healthcare professionals, community organizers, independent consultants, and other professionals whose practice involves designing and running learning experiences for adults. Applicants should have two years of experience in designing and delivering learning experiences for adults, which can include adult learning in workplaces, community organizations, civil society groups, international development, and government services. This experience can be paid or voluntary, or a mix of both. Because adult education occurs in diverse business, community, and numerous other settings, applicants for this program do not need to be qualified teachers; however, teachers are also welcome. Persons with relevant experience will be considered even if they do not have an undergraduate degree.

Admission Criteria

Admissions to the Adult Education Diploma program take place on a continuous basis. Admission information can be found under “Admission & Registration Information.”

Program Requirements

Students must complete a combination of 12 Credits in Core Courses and 18 Credits in approved Elective Courses (of the 300 Level and above). All required courses are offered online.

Core Courses: 12 credits

• ADHE 327 (3) Teaching Adults: Planning, conducting, and evaluating instruction for adults, considering different beliefs and ways of thinking about teaching.
• ADHE 329 (3) Developing Short Courses, Workshops, and Seminars: Organization and administration of adult education events such as short courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, and institutes.
• ADHE 330 (3) The Community Practice of Adult Education: Community-based adult education with particular emphasis on the application of knowledge of the social, economic, cultural, and political environment in developing and conducting adult education programs for individuals and groups.
• ADHE 412 (3) An Overview of Adult Education: Survey of adult education theory and practice in Canada and the world, focusing on the purpose and participation in adult education, characteristics of learners, and the training of adult educators.

Elective Courses: 18 credits

In addition to the core courses, students must take 18 credits of approved elective coursework. Elective courses must be from a 300 Level course or higher. Two online electives are available: ADHE 328 and EDST 493.

• ADHE 328: Institutions of Adult Education - The history, roles, and activities of institutions in the field of adult education, emphasizing institutions in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States, and examining experiences in other countries.
• EDST 493: Introduction to the Study of Higher Education - An online course providing an introduction to the study of higher education, focusing on the study of all facets of institutions of higher learning.

Elective courses could also include those chosen from the University Calendar, such as CNPS (Counselling Psychology) 363, 364, 365, 433, and EPSE (Education Psychology and Special Education) 303.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I complete the program requirements online? Yes, all required ALE Diploma courses are offered online. For the remaining 18 credits of coursework, there are many different options to choose from, many of which are online.
2. How often are courses offered? The required ALE Diploma courses are offered every term: Winter I (Sept-Dec), Winter II (Jan-April), and Summer (May-June).
3. Can I take the Diploma while working full-time? Yes, many Diploma students are working either full or part-time. Taking one course per term is manageable, depending on individual commitments.
4. How long will it take to complete the program? This depends on how many courses you can take per term. If students take 1 course per term, they would complete the ALE Diploma requirements in about 3 years.