How to Get a Master's Degree in Adult Education
Thirty years ago, adult education primarily involved teaching basic skills, such as literacy and math, to adult learners. The boom in distance education, the growing interest in professional development and corporate training, and the increasing levels of education held by members of the workforce as a whole have all dramatically changed the picture.
Adult education today has much more encompassing applications. Corporations look for adult educators to lead professional development programs and provide training. Health organizations need professional educators to instruct staff members in new technologies. Distance education requires skilled instructors trained to teach a new generation of adult learners. Furthermore, the U.S. is still in dire need of educators who can provide basic instruction to adults: Forty-five percent of the adult population has limited reading, writing, and math skills.
If you decide to earn a master's degree online or on campus, use this guide to help you identify your goals, research programs, and apply to the programs that best meet your needs.
Overview of the Master's in Adult Education
Some of history's most influential people have been teachers of adults--Socrates and Confucius are only two famous examples.
While adult educators have existed throughout history, the academic field did not formally take shape in the U.S. until the mid 20th century. In the 1960s, the field coalesced as a discrete discipline following the adoption of the Economic Opportunity Act Title II, Part B, which provided funds for adult basic education. In fact, the label "andragogy"--the study of teaching adults--became commonly used in the late 1960s as the discipline came into its own.
Today, the field of adult education continues to grow. As more adults return to school and pursue professional development and other training, increasing numbers of qualified teachers are needed to provide instruction in a range of fields.
Furthermore, adult education takes place beyond the traditional classroom in corporations, health organizations, nonprofit organizations, and any institution in which professionals require training--meaning that knowledgeable adult educators are needed across sectors and in a range of industries.
For additional information about education as a field of study, visit WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors.
Degree Options for a Master's in Adult Education
A campus or online master's degree in adult education can assume several forms. Following are the most common degree titles.
- Master of Arts (MA) in Adult Education
- Master of Education (EdM or MEd) in Adult Education
- Master of Science (MS) in Adult Education
In theory, the MA in Adult Education is a research-oriented degree that is particularly geared toward students wishing to pursue doctorate-level work. The MS and EdM in Adult Education are practitioners' degrees, designed for professionals wishing to apply a deeper knowledge base to their work. In reality, however, the distinction between the titles is negligible, at best. Your decision about which degree to seek should be based on the orientation of the program rather than the degree title itself.
Learn more about master's programs in education at WorldWideLearn.com.
Choosing a Format: Campus or Online Master's in Adult Education
Many people pursuing an MA, EdM, or MS in Adult Education choose to earn a master's degree online. Why? First, students are often busy adults with other commitments such as work and family; and second, because online grad schools abound in this field.
Choosing the right format--campus, online, or hybrid--depends on the time you have available to work toward your degree and your career objectives.
- Manufacturing engineering. Though the term is sometimes used interchangeably with operations management, manufacturing engineering focuses specifically on the use of technology to minimize resource use and optimize industrial output.
- Is a doctorate in your future? Traditionally, a campus-based master's degree offers the best preparation for future graduate work and a career in academia. Many campus programs are full time, which can be an attractive option if you wish to immerse yourself in your graduate work while putting your career on hold.
- An online master's degree is usually offered in a flexible format. Students take courses from home when they have the time available. Student/teacher networking is facilitated through the use of Web conferencing and other technologies. The degrees are generally tailored to practitioners who wish to apply the knowledge and skills they gain from their education to their profession.
- Hybrid degrees combine online courses with face-to-face residencies. Programs vary in their residency requirements; some may require a three-day residency each semester, while others offer courses that have both an in-person and online component.
Whether you choose to earn a master's degree online or on campus, your degree should provide you with a theoretical framework to apply to your teaching and a deeper understanding of the learning styles and educational needs of adult learners.
What You Can Do with an MA, MS, or EdM in Adult Education
Corporations are increasingly seeing the benefits of providing continuing education and professional development opportunities for their employees. For this reason, a majority of students entering campus and online master's degree programs in adult education choose human resource development as their specialization.
A master's degree in adult education can also qualify you for a wide range of other careers. Professionals with master's degrees go on to teach distance education courses, continuing education courses, and adult and family literacy; they also work in education technology and consulting.
After you earn a master's degree online or on campus, you could:
- Work as a professional development coordinator within the human resources department of a large corporation.
- Provide educational advising and curricular educational support for an institution of higher education.
- Teach immigrant populations how to speak and read English.
- Offer basic adult literacy courses for a nonprofit organization working on behalf of disadvantaged adults.
- Provide continuing professional education in areas such as health care, financial services, natural resources management, and social services.
- Teach at a community college.
You can get help assessing your skills and exploring your career options at WorldWideLearn.com's Career Pathways resource.
Researching and Applying to Adult Education Master's Degree Programs
If you have decided that a campus or online master's in adult education is the right path for you, follow these steps to get started.
STEP ONE: Find the Right MA or EdM in Adult Education
1. Identify Your Goals
You can narrow your search for graduate schools in adult education if you take the time to specify your goals. Consider the following:
- Career objectives: Are you looking for master's programs that will enable you to change careers or move into a different position within your organization?
- On-campus or online? Do you want to keep your job while you pursue your education? If so, obtaining a master's degree online could offer you the most flexibility.
Based on your answers to these questions, make a list of your baseline criteria for a master's degree in adult education. This can help you quickly assess whether to consider programs you encounter during the research process.
You can survey campus and online degree programs at WorldWideLearn.com. Browse master's programs organized in the following categories: online degrees by level, online degrees by subject, and campus degree programs by location, level, and subject.
2. Develop a List of Accredited Graduate Schools in Adult Education
After you have established your objectives and baseline criteria, begin searching for accredited programs. Accreditation means that a school has met standards of excellence set by an authorizing body. Most financial aid is only available for accredited programs.
- U.S. News & World Report publishes an A-Z Directory of Education Schools, which can offer a useful starting point for researching programs.
- The major national accrediting authority for education programs is the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, which maintains a list of accredited programs in teacher education.
- The U.S. Department of Education offers a database that includes both accredited institutions and approved accreditation agencies.
3. Explore Academic Programs in Depth
Culling your list of accredited graduate schools in adult education involves gathering the details for each of the schools you are considering. Following are some ingredients you may want to evaluate.
Specializations in adult education reflect the diversity of career options available to practitioners. Common specializations include:
- Adult basic education
- Adult and family literacy
- College student personnel administration
- Distance education
- Health promotion
- Human resource training, education, and development
- Teaching English as a second language
- Technology instruction
As you consider a specialization, take into account your career goals and personal interests. Finding a specialization that combines your passion and career objectives can be the best way of ensuring your success in a graduate program.
When determining the quality of a campus or online master's degree program, evaluate the following:
- Faculty expertise
- History of the program
- Program's reputation in the field
- Philosophy and orientation of the program
- Academic requirements
- Graduate student placement
What does the program cost? Remember to take into account your financial aid options, which may be offered through the school, the state, the federal government, or private companies.
What are the school's admission requirements? Some master's programs in adult education require minimum GPA and GRE scores. Sometimes these requirements are negotiable if you have extraordinary work experience or other professional expertise.
Does the campus offer any special resources for graduate students, such as professional networking opportunities or career counseling? If you intend to earn a master's degree online, does the school facilitate peer-to-peer networking and employ state-of-the-art technology?
Resources
- Rankings can give you a sense of how graduate programs are objectively evaluated. U.S. News & World Report ranks 278 graduate programs in education.
- Schools' Web sites are designed, in part, to attract new students. They generally offer extensive information about admission and program requirements, faculty research areas, graduate placements, and other useful pieces of information.
- WorldWideLearn.com expedites the research process by enabling you to fill out a form online and putting you directly in touch with program representatives from the schools that match your interests.
- Campus visits provide invaluable first-hand knowledge about faculty, students, and programs. If you choose to earn a master's degree online, ask the school to put you directly in touch with faculty and current students.
- Academic journals can help you identify which programs are producing research of interest to you and can steer you in the direction of high-caliber adult education master's degree programs. Academic journals in adult education include the following:
- Adult Basic Education and Literacy Journal
- Adult Education Quarterly
- Adult Learning
- American Journal of Distance Education
- Focus on Basics
STEP TWO: Apply to Graduate Schools in Adult Education
Once you have selected your top master's programs, it is time to begin the application process. Remember to apply early to save yourself any last-minute scrambling and ensure that your application file is complete.
1. Gather Application Materials
Each adult education master's degree program has different application requirements, so review them carefully. Common requirements include:
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Writing samples
- Official transcripts from each institution attended
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) test scores
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, if required
- Application fee
2. Apply for Financial Aid
Applying early is important for obtaining financial aid. There may be several options to choose from, so you should do some research.
- Some schools offer fellowships and scholarships to graduate students. These aid packages can include teaching assistantships and tuition waivers.
- Corporations and private foundations offer a variety of sponsorships, research grants, scholarships, and loans. These types of aid are often based on your area of study (such as literacy among Spanish-speaking populations) or your personal demographic information (African American, minority woman, etc.).
- Federal and state government agencies offer scholarships and loans that can be either merit- or need-based.
Learn more about opportunities for financial aid at WorldWideLearn.com.
STEP THREE: Prepare for Your Master's in Adult Education
You can stay ahead of the game when you enter a graduate degree program if you take the time to familiarize yourself with your academic community. Build your expertise in the field by:
- Reading academic journals in adult education
- Attending conferences
- Joining academic and professional associations
Lastly, take the time to visualize your future career. Having a clear career path in mind is frequently a key to success in graduate school. Just remember that your master's degree in adult education could prepare you for the career you'll never want to leave.
Sources
- Buffalo State, Adult Education
- E-Leader, How Distance Education Has Changed Teaching and the Role of the Instructor, by Therese DonGiovanni O'Neil, 2006
- Indiana University School of Continuing Studies, Master of Science in Adult Education
- National Council of State Directors of Adult Education, American Competitiveness Initiative White Paper
- Penn State Online, Master of Education in Adult Education
- Seattle University College of Education, Adult Education and Training, Master's Degree Options and Specializations
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Timeline
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