Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development, offered by the Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies, is a comprehensive program that prepares students to design and deliver individual, group/team, organizational and systems-focused education and training programs for adult learners, and will help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective change agent in a wide array of organizations and institutions of higher learning.
The Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development program pushes students to:
- develop effective instructional strategies to facilitate adult learning, as well as group, team and organizational learning;
- design, deliver, and evaluate effective educational and training programs aimed at individual adult learners, as well as for groups, teams, organizations and complex systems and enterprises; and,
- conquer the complexity of communication, facilitation of groups, and development of effective teams, as well as leadership and management skills needed to foster organizational change, development and transformation.
Students will finish the degree program by completing a field research practicum experience at one of the many community organizations, corporations, or government agencies within the Philadelphia area. In addition, students will observe how management and staff lead teams, manage change, manage communication and conflict, and train adults in the social context of a bustling, culturally diverse region.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: ED-ALTO-BA
+1 Accelerated Programs
The College of Education and Human Development offers accelerated programs, including the opportunity for Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development majors to pursue the following +1 accelerated programs:
- +1 Accelerated Program in Any Temple Major + Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development MEd
- +1 Accelerated Program in Any Temple Major + Higher Education MEd
- +1 Accelerated Program in Any Temple Major + Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MSEd
Qualified students earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in a five-year course of study. Additional information is available under the Accelerated Programs tab on this page. 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
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 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:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| AOD 1001 | Practical Application in Adult and Organizational Development | 1 |
| AOD 1016 | Introduction to Adult Learning and Training | 3 |
| AOD 1166 | Interpersonal Processes through the Life Span | 3 |
| AOD 2176 | Team Process in Education | 3 |
| AOD 2201 | Research Methods | 3 |
| EPSY 2325 | Statistics for Decision Making | 3 |
| AOD 2218 | Leadership in Organizations | 3 |
| HDCE 4333 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| AOD 3318 | Systems Approach to Organizational Change | 3 |
| AOD 3396 | Organizational Processes (WI) | 3 |
| AOD 4376 | Innovation and Mission-Driven Organizations | 3 |
| AOD 4396 | Field Research: Practice in Professional Settings (WI) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 | |
Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development 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 Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development 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 Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development principles gained in prior courses.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Arts in Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ | 4 | |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| AOD 1001 | Practical Application in Adult and Organizational Development | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| AOD 1016 | Introduction to Adult Learning and Training | 3 |
| AOD 1166 | Interpersonal Processes through the Life Span | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| AOD 2201 | Research Methods | 3 |
| AOD 2176 | Team Process in Education | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| EPSY 2325 | Statistics for Decision Making | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| AOD 2218 | Leadership in Organizations | 3 |
| AOD 3396 | Organizational Processes [WI] | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| AOD 3318 | Systems Approach to Organizational Change | 3 |
| HDCE 4333 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| AOD 4376 | Innovation and Mission-Driven Organizations | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| AOD 4396 | Field Research: Practice in Professional Settings [WI] | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated programs are available to students in the Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development BA: