Lifelong Education Administration and Policy

Adult Education

Thinking About a Master of Education in Adult Education?

What is Adult Education?

Any situation where adults are learning new information, skills, or ways of being in the world is adult education. Adults engage in educational activities both on their own (through their own reading, use of the media, etc.) and through the organizations and institutions in which they are employed or involved. Formal adult education activities take place in such settings as:

schools and colleges
business and industry
churches, hospitals or counseling facilities
social justice or political organizations

What do people with M.Ed. Degrees in adult education do?

Alumni from the master's program responding to the 1996 survey indicated that they devoted over 60% of their work time to adult education endeavors. Nearly 30% of our master's graduates had teaching responsibilities, more than 25% performed administrative work, almost 15% worked in program development, and more than 10% have counseling assignments.

How much do people with M.Ed. degrees earn?

75% of the respondents to our 1996 survey indicated they made more than $30,000 annually. 12.5% indicated they made under $20,000 annually and 25% made more than $50,000 a year.