Master of Arts in Adult Education

The Master of Arts in Adult Education (MAAE) program offers an exceptional curriculum with three concentrations.  Two are designed to meet the diverse needs in community education and in workplace education.  The General track is one you can use to tailor a program to your own interests.  

Our MAAE program thrives on collaboration and support. Engage with a diverse community of mentors and peers who share your passion for adult education. Strengthen your critical awareness as a learner through interactive discussions and shared experiences, creating lasting connections that extend beyond the classroom.

The MAAE program at Empire State University emphasizes the application of knowledge. Your final project is not just an academic exercise; it is a tangible task in adult education that directly informs learning goals. Gain hands-on experience and ensure your education is relevant to the challenges you will encounter in real-world settings.  You can also earn credit for graduate level learning gained through work and life experience.  

Embark on your journey of professional and personal growth in adult education. Join us at Empire State University and unlock the door to a future where education transforms lives.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

The M.A. in Adult Education provides the opportunity for graduate-level assessment of knowledge that can be incorporated into the degree program and evaluated through a portfolio. The total number of transfer credit and graduate-level assessment combined cannot exceed 12 credits.  There is no additional fee for PLA and credits can be used for requirements or electives.

Recent students have requested learning to be assessed for graduate level credit on areas such as curriculum design; training delivery and assessment; college teaching; organizational development; human resources management; literacy instruction; and leadership.

Program Design

The Master of Arts in Adult Education is designed for students who work with adult learners in various settings including adult basic education programs (GED (General Educational Development) completion), literacy programs, community, or corporate educational training programs, and for those interested in adult learning for social change and community engagement.

The program provides a solid grounding in adult learning, focusing on adult learning theories and modeling best principles and practices. This 30-credit hour program is taught through online instruction. Please visit Empire State University's Academic Catalog for course enrollment sequencing.

Core Courses

  • ADLC 6005 - Rethinking Experience and Learning in Adulthood, 3cr
  • ADLC 6010 - Learning and Development in Contemporary Adulthood, 3cr
  • ADLC 6015 - Strategies for Effective Adult Learning, 3cr
  • ADLC 6020 - Approaches to Critical Inquiry and Research, 3cr

Community Education Concentration

Dive into the heart of community-driven adult learning with our Community Education concentration. Explore strategies for engaging learners in local contexts, addressing unique community challenges, and fostering educational empowerment. This concentration is perfect for those passionate about making a positive impact at the grassroots level and can include Adult Basic Education, Literacy Education, English Language Programs, and Community Outreach.

  • ADLC 6025 Activist Learning and Social Movements, 3cr
  • ADLC 6075 Adult Literacy and Social Change, 3cr
  • PPOL 6070 Race Class and Gender in US, 3cr, or PPOL 6035 Advocacy in State and Local Government, 3cr
  • ADLC 6122 Mentoring Adult Learners 3 cr, or ADLC 6045 Learning as Transformation, 3cr
  • ADLC 6025 Activist Learning and Social Movements, 3cr
  • ADLC 6075 Adult Literacy and Social Change, 3cr
  • PPOL 6070 Race Class and Gender in US, 3cr, or PPOL 6035 Advocacy in State and Local Government, 3cr
  • ADLC 6122 Mentoring Adult Learners 3cr, or ADLC 6045 Learning as Transformation, 3cr

Workplace Learning Concentration 

For those seeking to excel in a variety of workplace training and education environments, our Workplace Learning concentration is the key. Uncover the latest trends and methodologies in adult learning in skilled trades, technology, healthcare, and professional settings. Acquire valuable skills to design and implement effective workplace training programs that drive employee development and organizational success.  Roles supported by this concentration include Training Development Specialist, Organizational Development, and Learning and Development Manager.

  • ADLC 6095 Human Resources Development, 3cr
  • ADLC 6040 Learning and Education in the Workplace, 3cr
  • EDET 6015 Instructional Design for Online Learning Environments, 3cr or
  • EDET 6130 Facilitating Learning in Online or Blended Environments, 3cr
  • ADLC 6122 Mentoring Adult Learners, or ADLC 6045 Learning as Transformation, 3cr

General Track - Personalize Your Learning

The General track provides options for you to individualize your study and program. With a variety of elective courses, you can tailor your studies to match your educational interests and career goals. Take advantage of this flexibility to build a concentration around your final project, or to dive deeply into the education of students in a particular field, making your degree uniquely yours. Additionally, explore the option of incorporating an advanced certificate  into your program to gain a valuable second credential.

People from a broad range of fields and backgrounds have designed their own path to meet specific professional development needs or explore a topic of interest in depth.  For example, community college faculty blend prior learning experience from curriculum development and design with new learning in creative instructional environments.   

Through the general concentration, students choose four elective courses (12 credits) to reflect their interests and to reinforce the individual focus of their degree.  

Sample Additional Electives

  • Administering Adult Learning Programs
  • History and Philosophy of Higher Education
  • Economics and Finance of Higher Education
  • Learning Theory and Practice
  • Racialized Narratives in Adult Education
  • Adult Learning in the Community College
  • The Experience of Adults in Higher Education
  • Comparative and International Adult and Higher Education
  • Career Self-Management
  • Practicum in Adult Education
    • Instructional Design for Online Learning Environments
    • Facilitating Learning in Online or Blended Environments
  • Economics and Finance of Higher Education
  • Administration and Leadership in Higher Education
  • History and Philosophy of Higher Education
    • Fostering Student Success in Higher Education 
       

Final Project

The final project is a concrete, focused task in adult education that informs personal and career learning goals. The project is developed and completed over two terms.

  • ADLC 7010 Project Design 3 cr
  • ADLC 7015 Final Project 3 cr