Online and Distance Learning

Campus-based and online education in adult education programs can lead to interesting careers in education and training. But what is special about adult education? This page provides information on what is studied in adult education programs, where you can study them, what the prospects are after completion, and more.

As the name suggests, 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.

You might also like to check out the adult education masters programs page and the adult education doctorate programs page for more details.

Finding the education in adult education programs you want

Adult education programs are usually at masters or doctoral levels.  Browse areas available and the schools offering these education programs, use the search form on this page and the list of schools below.

• 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

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

• Purdue University
  • MSEd Learning Technology and Design

• Browse more schools and programs at the foot of the page

• Search for Education in Adult Education programs.

• Click the following link for Canadian campus universities and campus colleges.  It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

What does the program cover?

Graduate programs in adult education enable 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 a degree 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).  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.