Capella University

ED5348: Adult Education Program Development

A study guide to Capella's ED5348, which applies theory, policy, evaluation models and planning methods to develop adult education programs.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

ED5348 at Capella University is a four-credit course on developing programs for adults.

The catalog says students use theoretical foundations, policies, evaluation models and methods and materials for program planning to develop educational programs for adults in a variety of postsecondary settings, and evaluate instructional approaches, engagement strategies and management of instructional environments.

ED5012 is the listed prerequisite. The main skill is design: moving from a need to a coherent program with goals, activities and a way to judge success.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversityCapella University
Course codeED5348
Credits and level4 quarter credits, graduate
PrerequisiteED5012
Subject areaProgram planning for adult learners
Typical workProgram plan, evaluation design, rationale papers (confirm in your course)

What ED5348 Covers

Catalog themeWhat you do
Theoretical foundationsGround the program in adult education theory
PoliciesConsider rules that shape programs
Evaluation modelsPlan how to judge effectiveness
Methods and materials for planningBuild a practical design
Instructional approaches and engagementChoose how learners will be taught and kept involved
Management of instructional environmentsPlan the practical conditions

Other topics that appear in older summaries of this course, such as marketing or funding sources, are not confirmed by the catalog, so follow your syllabus.

Key Concepts Explained

From Need to Goals

Start with an identified need, state a goal, then break it into measurable objectives.

Example: Need: new supervisors at a regional employer lack coaching skills. Goal: build coaching confidence. Objective: by the end of six sessions, each participant leads a coaching conversation scored against a checklist.

Logic Models

A logic model lists inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes. It shows how resources become results and makes the evaluation plan easier to write.

Planning Evaluation

Decide early what evidence you will collect: attendance, assessments, participant feedback, later on-the-job results. Match each to a question the program must answer.

Example: Question: did participants improve their coaching skill? Evidence: scored role-plays at start and end. Question: did it help their teams? Evidence: a short survey of team members after three months.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Assignment typeWhat it testsHow to approach it
Needs summaryEvidence-based rationaleData or sources plus a clear statement of need
Program planDesign coherenceGoals, objectives, activities, schedule, resources
Evaluation designJudging effectivenessQuestions, measures, timing
Rationale paperTheory in practiceJustify choices with sources

Building a Logic Model

A logic model is a one-page picture of how a program is supposed to work. It helps you check that resources lead to activities, activities to outputs, and outputs to outcomes. It also tells you what to measure.

ColumnQuestionCoaching program example
InputsWhat do we invest?Facilitator time, room, materials, budget
ActivitiesWhat do we do?Six two-hour sessions with role-play and feedback
OutputsWhat is produced?Number of sessions held, participants completing
Short-term outcomesWhat changes for learners?Improved coaching skill scores
Longer-term outcomesWhat changes beyond the program?Team members report better feedback from supervisors

Check: If you promise a longer-term outcome but have no activity that could cause it, the model has a gap. For instance, improved team feedback requires practice on the job, so add an activity such as a supervised coaching task between sessions.

Engagement and the Learning Environment

The catalog also names engagement strategies and the management of instructional environments. In your plan, address how you will keep adults involved (relevance, choice, social contact) and how you will manage practical conditions such as schedule, room set-up, online platform and accessibility.

Where Students Get Stuck

Study Tips for ED5348

Program Design Sequence

StepOutput
1Need and audience
2Goals and objectives
3Activities and materials
4Schedule and resources
5Evaluation plan

How We Help with ED5348

Send the prompt, rubric and context. An education writer prepares outlines or model sections, explains the logic, or edits your draft. See our education assignment help guide for wider support.

GradeEssays is independent of Capella University. Our work is a study aid; the work you submit must be your own under Capella's academic integrity policy, and we cannot promise any result. Orders include free revisions within the scope of your original request and a full refund if late.

Plan Your ED5348 Program

Share the prompt and rubric. We offer outlines, model sections and editing support.

Start My ED5348 Help

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the prerequisite for ED5348?

ED5012.

How many credits?

Four quarter credits.

What does the course ask me to produce?

The catalog says students develop educational programs for adults; your course room lists the exact deliverables.

Does it cover evaluation?

Yes, evaluation models are named in the catalog.

Which settings are covered?

A variety of postsecondary settings.

Can you review my program plan?

Yes, for coherence, measures and APA.