Workforce Learning & Development, B.S.

This program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

In today’s rapidly changing workforce environment, there is a growing need for professionals with the knowledge and skills to help organizations build a more skilled workforce. Our program is designed for military personnel and mid-career individuals in fields such as engine repair, mechanics, plumbing and welding who would like to advance a career by joining the growing workforce development field. The program is also valuable for community college vocational tech and continuing ed instructors who would like to complete an undergraduate degree.

The Workforce Learning and Development program will provide you with a variety of diverse learning opportunities and hands-on experiences. You will learn the principles of adult learning and best practices for engaging this unique cohort of students, effective course design, assessment strategies, and a variety of instructional design methods. The program is designed to be flexible in order to remain current with the changing landscape of the organizational workplace.

UNCW maintains strong ties to the military through the Office of Military Affairs, and military training can be applied toward course credits. Strong articulation agreements with North Carolina Community Colleges help facilitate the transition of their students and graduates to UNCW. And, program participants from some industries can apply for up to 24 hours of course credits based on their prior technical work experience or occupational training.

Our curriculum aligns with the Association for Talent Development’s Capacity Model, which provides a framework to guide the talent development profession in what practitioners need to know and do to develop themselves, others, and their organizations. Courses are offered in instructional design, learning design, adult education, training & development, and leadership studies.

A degree in Workforce Learning and Development provides a pathway for mid-career individuals to leverage technical training to open the door to a new career as a talent development specialist. Whether you work in the military, business and industry, government or a community college setting, you’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills you need to conduct needs assessments, design training programs, develop content, and evaluate the impact of training programs – all skills sought after by a growing number of employers.

• WLD 300 Effective Communication in Workforce Learning & Development
• WLD 330 Instructional Strategies for Workforce Learning & Development
• WLD 340 Introduction to Organizational Development
• WLD 400 Principles of Instructional Design
• LED 211 Principles of Leadership
• Elective courses selected on consultation with the program coordinator

Admission to UNCW and the Watson College of Education is a two-step process. The first step is admission to the university. The second step is admission to the Workforce Learning and Development (WLD) program offered by UNCW’s Watson College of Education.

After being admitted to UNCW, students will identify as pre-workforce learning and development students. Students may apply for admission to the WLD program after completing a minimum of 24 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and after completing WLD 315 – Foundations of Adult and Workforce Education.

UNCW has a listing of military training that can be substituted for elective coursework. The articulation agreements with community colleges would allow students to complete the degree more quickly. Students can also provide a portfolio outlining work performance and/or training opportunities that align with the BSWLD curriculum and receive up to 24 hours of credit for BSWLD coursework.

For more information, please contact

Program Coordinator
watsonadvising@uncw.edu
910.962.7745