Advancement in technology and change in work environments have made it mandatory for adults to acquire new skills. Educators who are trained to to work with adult students and help them acquire new skills are in high demand. Qualified adult education professionals are needed in a number of work settings such as academic, governmental organizations, community, and corporate organizations.
Program Objectives
Students pursuing adult education degrees may find programs that will help equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to teach older students. They learn specific techniques that may be effectively used to teach adult students. They understand how adult students differ from younger students, and learn how to develop instructional programs accordingly. Programs that instruct students on how to educate older students will help to enable students to have a strong command of teaching methods and techniques in different teaching environments. They aim to meet the following objectives:
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Enable professionals to work effectively with adult students
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Provide a solid background in adult education and program planning
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Train students in diverse theoretical, philosophical, and historical contexts of adult education in the US
Types of Degrees
Degree programs vary in terms of their curriculum and duration, and are prepared to meet the needs of diverse students. The following are the main types of adult education degrees offered by institutes:
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Associate's Degree
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Bachelor's Degree
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Master's Degree
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PhD in Adult Education
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Adult Education Certificate
Coursework
The coursework offered in these degree programs may vary from one institute to another. However, there are some major courses covered by almost all institutes. Some of the core courses include:
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Foundations of Continuing Education and Training
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Adult Learning Theory
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Fundamentals of Learning Styles
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Adult Education Planning and Development
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Classroom Instructional Methods and Delivery
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Electronic instructional Methods and Delivery
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Learning Assessment and Evaluation
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Instruction Design Process and Strategies
Online Education
Students who may have the time to acquire a degree in adult education from a campus-based program may choose to enroll in online degree programs. Online programs are convenient because students are able to learn at their own pace, and they also get the opportunity to make their own class schedule. Also, online programs could be more cost effective because students do not incur costs for commuting, dorm rooms, or textbooks. Tuition costs for online programs may also be less, due to their cost efficient setup.
Careers Options
Individuals who decide to pursue a degree in adult education may have several career options after they graduate. Students could apply for positions as technology specialists, ESL/EFL instructors, and community educators. Prospective educators are not the only people seeking a degree in adult education; they may be earned by manufacturing executives, human resource development administrators, corporate trainers, executive coaches, and consultants. Professionals from healthcare fields may also acquire adult education degrees: they include nurses, physicians, social workers, and allied health therapists. Graduates from these degree programs may work in a variety of settings. These include academic, corporate, health care, state and federal agencies, non-profit, adult basic education, community education, consulting firms, and sole proprietorship.