Online and Distance Learning

Campus-based and online education in adult education programs can lead to interesting careers in education and training.  This page provides information on what is studied and where you can study adult education.

What is special about online education in adult education?

As the name suggests, online education in adult education programs prepare you to work with adult learners. The programs are based on adult learning philosophy, known as andragogy.  In andragogy, learners are assumed to be self-motivated, self-directed, and have accumulated life experiences that need to be accounted for in course design and delivery. 

Adult learners are also goal-oriented and so the course goals and objectives must be established early in the course.  They are relevancy-oriented, and so must see a reason for learning something, and the practical applications of what is being taught need to be clear.  Also, adult learners need to be treated with respect  - with valuable experience and knowledge.  All these considerations impact on course development and delivery, so as to result in a totally different learning experience to that which many of the adults might have experienced during their earlier years in secondary education.

Finding the schools and programs you want

Online education in adult education programs are usually at masters or doctoral levels. If you want to browse areas available and the schools offering online education in adult education, use the search form or the list of schools below.

• Walden University
  • Ph.D. in Education
    • Adult Education Leadership
    • Higher Education
    • Adult Education Leadership
  • Doctor of Education (Ed.D) - Higher Education and Adult Learning

• Capella University
  • MS in Education
    • Postsecondary and Adult Education
    • Professional Studies in Education
    • Leadership for Higher Education
  • PhD in Education
    • Professional Studies in Education
    • Leadership for Higher Education
    • Postsecondary and Adult Education

• Jones International University
  • Master of Education
    
    • Adult Education
    • Corporate Training & Knowledge Management
    • e-learning Technology & Design
    • Higher Education Leadership and Administration

• University of Phoenix Online
  • Master of Arts in Education/Adult Education and Training

• Argosy University Online
  • Master of Arts in Education in Adult Education and Training

• Kaplan University Online
  • M. S. in Higher Education/College Teaching and Learning

• Purdue University
  • MSEd Learning Technology and Design

• Abilene Christian University
  • Master of Education in Higher Education

What does the program cover?

Graduate education in adult education enables you to design, deliver and manage the effective learning of adults in a variety of settings.  Most programs will allow you to concentrate on your chosen setting, including online education, workforce development, continuing education, higher education, and military education. 

A typical master's in adult education might include: approaches to adult learning and distance education; adult and continuing education policy; adult development and learning; program planning for adults; workforce development; critical analysis and research skills; technology in adult education; issues and trends in adult education; plus a thesis or dissertation.

A typical doctoral program in adult education might include: approaches to adult learning and distance education; critical analysis and research skills; and, application of theory and research to develop effective learning environments for individuals from a variety of backgrounds.  The doctoral program will probably include one or more residential periods.

What jobs does education in adult education prepare you for?

Graduates of adult education find employment in: corporate training; teaching in the private sector; community services; educational administration, and management in vocational, technical, college/university, and continuing education.  The qualifications you need to be an adult educator depend on the type and level of educational program. For example, if you are working with students who are preparing to take their GED, a bachelors or masters degree would usually be required, but in order to teach in higher education in a university, you a need a qualification such as the Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Adult Learning from Walden University.  Some adult educators teach in community college courses or in specialized areas such as English as a Second Language (ESL).  Online education in adult education programs also provide a base for further training in counseling and careers work. Graduates also find work in development jobs and other non-profit organizations.

What are the earnings of graduates?

The United States Department of Labor reports a median annual income of about $40,000 for adult literacy and remedial education teachers.  In a US university, as an Assistant Professor you would earn about US$54,000, as a Associate Professor about US$67,000, and as a full Professor you would earn about US$85,000 - but the competition is tough.

For schools in Canada

Click here for a page that links to campus universities and campus colleges in Canada. It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

Click here and then enter your Canadian postal code to search for Adult education at Canadian college or university campuses.

For more information

You can search here for education in adult education

If you don't find what you want here, try using the search facility on this site with adult education as your search term.

You also use this link to search for online degree programs.

Remember to compare the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.

Campus Programs

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also search for programs or top adult education schools near you.