Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Adult and Organizational Development, offered by the Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies, is comprehensive and systems-focused, and will help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective change agent in any organization.

The Adult and Organizational Development program pushes students to:

  • conquer the complexity of communication styles to identify different styles and what they can reveal about the roots of conflicts;
  • develop effective instructional strategies to facilitate adult and team learning, and then design and implement effective training programs; and
  • master the peacemaking process, in order to recognize and mediate different conflict types and negotiate appropriate resolutions for communities, families, organizations and schools.

Students will finish the degree program by completing a field assignment at one of the hundreds of community groups, corporations, government agencies, schools and social service agencies in the Philadelphia area. In addition, students will observe how management and staff lead teams, manage change, mediate conflicts, and train adults in the social context of a bustling, culturally diverse region.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ED-AOD-BA

Accelerated +1 Programs

The College of Education and Human Development offers accelerated programs, including the opportunity for Adult and Organizational Development majors to pursue the following +1 Accelerated Programs:

Qualified students earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in a five-year course of study. Learn more about the College of Education and Human Development's +1 Accelerated Programs.

Contact Information

Undergraduate Advising, College of Education and Human Development
edadvising@temple.edu

Armando Estrada, Program Coordinator
armando.x.estrada@temple.edu

Christopher McGinley, Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies Department Chair
christopher.mcginley@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Adult and Organizational Development.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2023-2024. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2023 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

University Requirements

  • All students must complete Temple University's General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
  • All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple University (including transfer students). The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are AOD 3396 and AOD 4396.

College Requirements

Refer to the College Requirements for specific information.

Program Requirements

  • Students must complete 34 credit hours in the major.
  • All courses in the major must be passed with a grade of "C-" or better; students must earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Complete the following course requirements in Adult and Organizational Development:
Required Courses
AOD 1001Practical Application in Adult and Organizational Development1
AOD 1016Introduction to Adult Learning and Training3
AOD 1166Interpersonal Processes through the Life Span3
AOD 2176Team Process in Education3
AOD 2201Research Methods3
AOD 2214Conflict Processes3
or AOD 2215 Mediation: Principles and Practice
AOD 2218Leadership in Organizations3
AOD 3317Adult and Workforce Development3
AOD 3318Systems Approach to Organizational Change3
AOD 3396Organizational Processes (WI)3
AOD 4016Advanced Adult Learning and Training3
AOD 4396Field Research: Practice in Professional Settings (WI)3
Total Credit Hours34

AOD strives to be a flexible and dynamic program that accommodates students transitioning in from other majors. AOD courses are offered both at Main campus and at Ambler. Although flexible, a minimum of three semesters is necessary to complete the AOD BA degree requirements. We strongly advise that no more than two other AOD courses be taken along with AOD 4396 Field Research: Practice in Professional Settings, the "capstone" course that is completed during the final semester prior to graduation. This capstone course requires the reflection on and application of AOD principles gained in prior courses.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Adult and Organizational Development

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ 4
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL
or Honors Writing About Literature
4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
AOD 1016 Introduction to Adult Learning and Training 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
AOD 1166 Interpersonal Processes through the Life Span 3
AOD 1001 Practical Application in Adult and Organizational Development 1
Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
3
AOD 2201 Research Methods 3
Select one of the following: 3
Conflict Processes
Mediation: Principles and Practice
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
3
AOD 2176 Team Process in Education 3
AOD 2218 Leadership in Organizations 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
AOD 3317 Adult and Workforce Development 3
AOD 3396 Organizational Processes 3
Elective 4-3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
GenEd Breadth Course 3
AOD 3318 Systems Approach to Organizational Change 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
AOD 4016 Advanced Adult Learning and Training 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
AOD 4396 Field Research: Practice in Professional Settings 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours124
AOD Electives
AOD 2115Conflict Resolution in Education3
AOD 21173
AOD 2307Interaction Analysis3
AOD 3319Skill Building for Social Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement3
AOD 4376Innovation and Mission-Driven Organizations3
AOD 4382Independent Study1 to 3
AOD 4385Internship in Adult and Organizational Development3