Meeting Adult Learners Where They Are. Exploring Flexible Non-Degree Credentials in Adult Education

This project was developed for Prof. Bill Wisser's Teaching and Learning Lab Practicum during the Spring of 2023.

For my project, I had the opportunity to work closely with the Professional Education team at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The project allowed me to analyze the processes, assets, and courses of the Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) through the lens of an instructional designer. Having this opportunity led me to think about how we can more directly meet the learners where they are, how we can design programs that learners perceive as tailored to their individual learning objectives and outcomes, and thus promote motivation, engagement, and successful completion.

I decided to conduct a literature review that evolved into a white paper to explore flexible pathways in non-degree credentials in executive and professional education. This paper targets executive and professional education program developers and includes insights and recommendations to consider when developing a new program. I also incorporated some considerations for the program design that will facilitate the application and materialization of the recommendations made.