This course will focus on building your understanding of the differences between working with adult learners and typical K-12 students. This course will use Andragogy as the foundation for Adult Learning Theory which explains how an adult gains and accepts knowledge successfully. You will learn how to leverage this theory when developing professional learning for peers and other adults. You will also be introduced to practical tools to design effective learning experiences and learn how to identify when adults are ready to receive knowledge. This course is a blend of theory and application and will ensure that you are capable and prepared to meet the needs of adult learners you work with.
NOTE: This course is not applicable toward Adult Education preliminary credential in California.
Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours
Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for any educator looking to hone skills in designing and facilitating professional learning experiences for other adults (workshops, trainings, presentations, courses) by understanding adult learning theory and implementing skills to reach the adult learner.
Course Materials: Text, The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development (10th Edition) by Malcolm Knowles, Elwood Holton III, Richard Swanson, and Petra Robinson available at Amazon.com or your local bookstore. Ebook and paperback versions are available. This same book will be used in the following two courses (EDU-X716S and EDU-X717S) in the Professional Development Facilitation and Leadership Certificate Program.
Technical Requirements
Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.
Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.
The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.
High-quality, career-building courses to choose from
In-depth, innovative, and relevant topics
Career advancing certificates
Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.
Online fixed-date courses are delivered virtually but follow a predetermined schedule, requiring students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take assessments by specific deadlines—much like a traditional classroom. The key difference is that while traditional courses are conducted in person at set times and locations, online fixed-date courses allow students to engage remotely, offering more flexibility in where they learn while preserving structure and accountability through fixed timelines. (Note: Any scheduled Zoom sessions will be outlined on the class schedule.) These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources. Instructor feedback is shared along with the graded assignments.
How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.
With hundreds of courses across a range of education-related topics, there’s a strong chance we have the ideal class for you!
Small class sizes with real-world educators are an important part of the USD experience.
Our educator courses offer flexible course formats and class times to help you balance your work, USD studies, and family life.
Appropriately challenging course with well design module assignments. One of the best USD courses I have taken.
Browse over 500+ educator courses and numerous certificates to enhance your curriculum and earn credit toward salary advancement.