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Master’s Degree in Adult Education

An educated workforce is often seen as the key to America’s future. This includes adult learners as well as traditional students. If you want to make a big contribution to the field of education, you may want to learn how to work with adult students and help them meet their educational goals. With a Master’s degree in adult education, you may develop the skills and knowledge you need to teach adult students or take on a leadership role in these education programs.

To prepare for a Master’s degree program in adult education, you must have already have your Bachelor’s degree. Some schools require you to have an undergraduate degree in education, while others may accept students with any type of Bachelor’s degree. Keep in mind that if your degree is in a field other than education, you may have to spend slightly more time meeting practicum requirements. Including classroom experience, a Master’s degree in adult education may take you about two to three years of full-time study.

Core Requirements for Master Degree Programs in Adult Education

The courses you take in this type of degree are designed to help you learn the foundations of both remedial adult education and postgraduate adult education. Some of the core courses you may take include Overview of Higher Education, Foundations of Higher Education Assessment and Evaluation, Foundations of Adult Education, and Theories & Principles of Adult Learning. Some of the specialized courses that may be part of your curriculum include Strategies and Best Practices for Teaching and Learning, Assessment of Learning and Teaching for Education, and Adult Education Program Development. These courses all build up to your student teaching experience, which may take place in a college setting or a remedial education setting.

Studying adult education may allow you to apply for various teaching grants and scholarships, particularly if you are planning on working in public education after graduation. Scholarships are available through Imagine America. T.E.A.C.H. is another popular resource for teaching students, particularly those at the Master’s degree level. If you take out student loans to cover your educational costs and you work in a public service setting, consider looking into loan forgiveness options through the U.S. Department of Education.

Career and Salary Outlook

After earning your Master’s degree in adult education, you may be able to take on several different adult education roles. Many graduates choose to work in adult basic and secondary education. Professionals in this field report an average salary of $51,110 per year (O*Net, 2013). Job openings in this field are expected to increase by 9% between 2012 and 2022 (O*Net, 2012).

Adult education is a field that is often overlooked in the American education system. By earning a Master’s degree in this field, you can work to improve the future of adult students. Check out our list of schools below to contact graduate programs in adult education.