Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Gayla Ashford
Committee Member
Patrick Chambers
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
Athens State University, career development, course development, course duration, course offerings, curriculum, customized courses, employee development, employee interests, employees, employer interests, evaluation instruments, extension programs, government installations, implementation timeline, instructional staff, interface, literature reviews, managers, partnerships, professional development, program development, program evaluation, questionnaires, recommendations, Redstone Arsenal, stakeholders, standardized courses, survey instruments, training courses, training programs, universities, workforce development
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to develop a model for a program for Athens State University to offer professional development and training courses to Arsenal employees through its extension located on Redstone Arsenal--a huge government installation. The problem is that Athens State University does not currently offer professional development or training programs to Redstone agencies. This project sought to answer the question of what professional development and training course offerings are necessary to meet the career development needs of the Redstone Arsenal constituents, employer and employee interests in participating in such a program if offered and whether Athens State University can meet those needs.
The project was conducted using survey instruments and questionnaires to gather information on employee responses to questions pertaining to course types and duration for achieving the desired results of employee development. Discussions were held with Redstone Arsenal managers and employees to establish their desires and expectations of a program. A literature review was also conducted to search programs and strategies for similar programs. From these activities, recommendations for developing a professional development program to support Redstone Arsenal stakeholders’ career needs and offered by Athens State University was developed. The strategies include using a partnership approach to course development for both standardized and customized courses, identifying a single focal point for interface for the Redstone Arsenal based program, a development and implementation timeline, strategies for providing instructional staff, and provides program evaluation instruments.