GWISE, THOMAS EDWARD.

This study was conducted to analyze the perceived need for a doctoral program in education for non-school educators and trainers in the eleven county East Central Florida region. A two-part survey instrument was used to collect data related to the strength of the need and to the competencies required by the survey respondents. Sixty competencies were derived from the literature. Respondents were asked to rate each competency item as essential, important, supplemental or non-essential to both their present positions and to their future goals. Instruments were mailed to 314 non-school educators and trainers in the eleven county East Central Florida region. One hundred and thirty-nine responses were received for a response rate of 44 percent. The data indicate that a strong need exists for such a program, particularly for those non-school educators and trainers who are in or who aspire to positions in leadership, management, and administration. The four major components of the need are people skills, communication skills, technological skills, and professional skills. Further, the need identified in East Central Florida is congruous with the needs of non-school educators and trainers nationwide. Sixteen core competency areas were identified: (1) effective working relations, (2) organizational decision making, (3) strategic planning, (4) instructional program planning, (5) general management, (6) internal resource management, (7) supervision, (8) report preparation, (9) specification writing, (10) interpersonal relations, (11) public speaking, (12) written communication, (13) team building, (14) organizational interfacing, (15) learning goals and objectives, and (16) evaluation. A data based, competency centered program design for a doctoral program in education for non-school educators and trainers was formulated. The design mandates achievement of functional competency at the terminal degree level in each of four academic clusters: Professional, Research, Technological, and Education and Training.