Utah Outreach Doctoral Program

History

The idea for the outreach program began in 1991 with a series of conversations at the Mountain Plains Adult Education Conference. Adult education practitioners in Utah were interested in participating in an adult learning and instructional technology doctoral program, but a doctoral program similar to that offered by UW did not exist in their state. In 1995, a member of the Utah Higher Education Commision began talks with members of the University of Wyoming faculty to see if offering an adult education and instructional technology doctoral program to several Utah students "at a distance" was feasible. After two years of working with partners on the program (Utah Higher Education Commission, School of Extended Studies, and the Department of Adult Learning and Technology), the outreach program is a reality.

Beginning in the summer '97 term, the University of Wyoming, Department of Adult Learning and Technology, in conjuction with several other departments on campus, began a  unique and exciting educational opportunity ---offering a doctoral program in Adult Learning and Technology throughout the State of Utah. The ALT department partnered with the School of Extended Studies (SES) to offer the program courses "at a distance." Teleconferencing, in addition to several weekend trips to Utah, were used to connect with 32 students in 7 different sites throughout Utah and Wyoming. The ALT doctoral program, a rigorous and nationally recognized program in adult education and instructional technology, was delivered to Utah within a three-year period. The program, which is identical to the program offered on the University of Wyoming campus, requires 72 post-baccalaureate hours.

Members

The department faculty interviewed approximately 60 interested candidates. Thirty-five candidates were accepted into the program.

Pictures

Loren Spendlove - In China, after defense.

Pam Dupin-Bryant - Smiling, after defense.