Adult, Professional, and Community Education (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. Adult, Professional, and Community Education
Program Overview
The degree completion rate is approximately 30% above the national average. The adult education faculty is internationally recognized for scholarship and leadership. The program cultivates a supportive and diverse learning community, with faculty working together on community engagement projects, research and presentations, and publishing in local, national and international venues.
Course Work
Students are accepted into the adult, professional and community education (A.P.C.E.) doctoral program once a year, entering as a cohort in the fall. Classes are offered in the evenings to better serve working professionals.
The 60-hour curriculum includes 24 hours of major emphasis courses, 18 hours of research courses, six hours of electives and a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation. Dissertation topics reflect the wide range of student practice settings and interests as well as expertise of faculty.
| Degree | Course Work | Dissertation | Total Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree Ph.D. | Course Work 48 hours | Dissertation 12 hours | Total Hours 60 hours | Location San Marcos |
For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.
Program Details
Students and alumni regularly receive national and international awards for their practice and research. They teach and hold leadership positions in government, business, higher education and community organizations.
Program Mission
The program educates scholar-practitioners who work in the broad array of settings served by the field of adult education. Graduates of the program are educational leaders who:
- act as change agents
- foster student-centered, lifelong learning communities
- recognize and build on the diverse assets of colleagues and students
- thoughtfully use technology as a tool for communication, research, teaching and learning
- make ethical and moral decisions and articulate the values and principles that guide them
- inform theory with practice
- continuously learn and support the continuous learning of others
Career Options
Graduates from the A.P.C.E. program design, deliver, manage and evaluate adult learning in many settings, including not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, post-secondary education, healthcare organizations, business, adult basic education and ESL programs, international organizations and the military. They work as faculty, program coordinators, directors, scholars, administrators, executives, researchers, planners, learning specialists and organizational developers.
Program Faculty
The A.P.C.E. faculty research areas include:
- adult learning
- adult development
- organizational learning and development
- adults in higher education
- second language learning
- research capacity building
- gender, race, ethnicity, and social class
- adult international education
They publish in top journals in our field including Adult Education Quarterly, Journal of Transformative Education, Human Resource Development International, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Human Resource Development Quarterly, and Adult Learning.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority November 1 November 1 Fall - Standard February 1 February 1 -
Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority December 1 December 1 Fall - Standard August 1 June 1
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- Master's degree from a regionally accredited university in a field related to the proposed course of study.
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- Competitive GPA in all completed graduate course work.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of
- 19 listening
- 19 reading
- 19 speaking
- 18 writing
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores. -
Documents & Other Requirements
- interview with program faculty
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose (approximately 500 words) describing your background and professional goals and including your rationale for pursuing a doctoral degree in adult, professional, and community education
- three forms of recommendation addressing professional and academic background
- references are required to use the program's Professional Reference Evaluation form, and are also strongly encouraged to attach a recommendation letter to the form
Review important information about documents.