Best Online Master’s in Adult Education

Adults frequently return to the classroom. Sometimes, they need to finish a high school equivalency program or master basic literacy skills. They may speak English as a second language and want to improve their English, or they might aspire to new positions in their industry or company.

By earning an online master’s degree in adult education, you can help these adults’ lives grow richer and more expansive by becoming their educator. This degree can prepare you to serve as an instructional designer, human resource manager, or corporate training manager — entering a robust career field.

The training and development field is projected to grow 6% by 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2022. Use this guide to learn more about the top online master’s programs in adult education and how to choose the right program for your career goals.

Aspiring educators learn to address the unique needs of adult learners in corporate, educational, and community settings. This 36-credit degree includes coursework in identifying learner needs, developing training materials, sharpening instructional skills, and improving analytical efficiencies.

An online master’s in adult education takes between 18 months and two years to complete. Part-time learners may need longer, but students with transfer credits may be able to shave off some time to graduation.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students pay an average of $8,156 in annual tuition for an online master’s degree in education. This cost covers coursework, internships, and research projects.

Graduates may qualify for careers as instructional coordinators, corporate trainers, or HR managers; or they may pursue an Ed.D. or Ph.D.

Each school determines its own curriculum, so every degree is unique. However, the following courses are a cross-section of common classes in adult education graduate programs.

Students explore important theories and research related to andragogy (the practice of teaching adult learners). The course emphasizes critical analysis, practical application, and historical influences on the discipline. Topics include schools of thought, fields of practice, and emerging issues and challenges.

Students develop analytical skills to determine whether or not particular research findings are trustworthy and relevant to professional practice. The course explores action research in terms of basic concepts, methods, purposes, paradigms, and data.

Students learn to evaluate instructional programs and assess adult learners. This course covers the theoretical perspectives of evaluating adult learners and how to apply the results of an analysis to an improvement plan.

This course covers the theories, research, and principles underlying effective online course design, including building online learning communities. Topics include how to use technology tools to build learning communities, creating engaging activities, and promoting peer collaboration.

Students explore the instructional strategies proven to enhance adult learning. This course covers effective strategies for adult learning in various settings, ways to apply adult learning theory, and techniques for equipping adult learners to improve their critical thinking.

Your master’s in adult education could be a master of arts (MA), a master of science (MS), or a master of education (M.Ed.). The MA and the MS generally combine content courses with instructional practice. An M.Ed. usually emphasizes teaching theory, educational leadership, or digital learning.

Some master’s programs require you to choose a concentration or specialization. Common adult education specialization tracks include adult ESL and literacy education, educational technology, and human resources development.

This specialization prepares you to work in adult education settings, such as ESL classrooms or high school equivalency programs. You may also prepare for a career as a literacy instructor or an educational program manager.

In this specialization, you study how cutting-edge technology overlaps with human learning theory. This may be the ideal concentration for you if you aspire to be an instructional designer, technology specialist, or training and development manager.

Human resource development students learn about talent recruitment, effective onboarding techniques, staff retention, and training. If you want to compete for a position as a human resources specialist or corporate trainer, this may be the best specialization for you.

To graduate, you must finish your coursework, earn at least the minimum grade point average, and usually, complete an internship, thesis, final exam, or capstone project.

An online master’s in adult education can prepare you to teach adult basic education courses in a public school, community college, or correctional institution.

This degree can also prepare you for jobs in corporate training, technical education, or human resource management. Using your master’s in adult education, you can pursue an instructional role in almost any setting.

For some adult education careers, you may need state licensure or certification with a private organization. For others, a master’s degree may provide all the background you need.

Joining a professional organization can give adult educators access to top-billed professional conferences, journals, awards, and even insurance policies. Members can also take advantage of job boards and peers’ career connections. Each organization sets its own standards for admission.

When selecting a master’s program in adult education, you want to consider the two most obvious questions: Do you qualify for admission? Can you afford the program?

But you’ll also want to factor other criteria into your decision, like the issues below:

Federal, state, and private funds can help you pay for your master’s degree in adult education. Search online databases for scholarships and grants or approach your employer about reimbursing the cost of your tuition.

Most master’s degrees in education are either a master of arts in teaching (MAT) or a master of education (M.Ed.). Some MAT programs serve students with a bachelor’s degree in another field, but some M. Ed. programs serve learners with other majors, too. An M.Ed. is often for currently certified teachers. Education degrees in math, science, and special education may be particularly valuable in the job search.

According to Payscale, the average annual salary for a person with an M.Ed. in adult education and training was $71,000 in August 2023. The NCES found that students paid an average of $8,156 per year in tuition for an online master’s degree in education. Using those averages, you can determine if the pay increase is worth the investment to you.

Of course, higher education also offers non-financial rewards, such as professional growth, sharper skills, and increased confidence. Be sure to consider these intangible benefits when calculating your return on investment.

Your adult education degree is as in demand as the career you choose. Certain adult education graduates, including training managers, postsecondary educators, and postsecondary administrators, are all in demand. However, the BLS projects that adult basic education, career education, and English as a second language teachers will all decline or remain static over the next decade.

In August 2023, Payscale found that the average annual salary of an M.Ed. in adult education and training stood at $71,000. However, experienced instructional designers, training managers, and learning and development consultants can earn more.

You must be licensed in your state to teach adult basic education courses in schools, correctional institutions, or other public education settings. However, corporate trainers, educational consultants, postsecondary teachers, and college administrators do not need licensure.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed March 25, 2024.