Adult Education & Community Development Program

A student listening intently at OISE Orientation.
Adult Education & Community Development Program

Adult Education & Community Development Program Overview

The Adult Education & Community Development (AECD) program stands at the forefront of research and practice in adult education and social justice learning, both locally and internationally.

A distinct feature of the program is that it brings adult education and community development together, enabling students to explore the intersection of these two fields as it applies to their own unique contexts. Students in this program will develop a deep understanding of adult, community and work-related learning through teaching, research, outreach, scholarship, and self-exploration. 

We emphasize teaching, research and community engagement across four major areas:

  • Work, organizations and lifelong learning for social change
  • Community engagement and sustainability
  • Learning and engagement in global contexts
  • Indigenous perspectives and other practices

Within each of these areas is an opportunity to build on social justice learning and activism, feminist and anti-racist scholarship, Indigenous education, arts-based learning, community and civic engagement, social economy and non-profit organizational development, and international partnerships.

The AECD program is developing a larger capacity for flexible course design and online learning.