Social and Psychological Foundations of Education

About the Program

The master of science in adult education program prepares professionals for careers in adult education and human resource development. Community agencies employ adult educators to conduct literacy, personal development, and workforce-preparation programs. Similarly, businesses employ human resource development professionals to train new workers and retrain experienced workers. Graduates of the program are also well prepared for doctoral programs in adult education. This program does not lead to teaching certification.

The accelerated master’s program matches the standard master's program except that students also enroll in J-term and summer classes for quicker completion.

Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale), or a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).

2. A letter describing the applicant’s interest in the field and experience with teaching or administering adult programs.

3. Applicants may be asked to participate in a phone or online interview at the discretion of the adult education coordinator.

All applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in the Graduate Catalog.

Application Deadline

Applicants must apply through the Graduate School by August 15 for fall admission or by January 1 for spring admission. No applications are accepted for summer admission.

Program Requirements (see course map below)

Required Courses (21 credit hours)
ADE 500 INTRODUCTION TO ADULT EDUCATION 3
ADE 600 ADULTHOOD AND DEVELOPMENT 3
ADE 605 HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, AND PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF ADULT EDUCATION 3
ADE 608 INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT 3
ADE 610 METHODS OF ADULT EDUCATION 3
ADE 655 DIVERSITY ISSUES IN ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING 3
ADE 695 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH 3

Elective Field Specialization Courses (9 credit hours)
Select three content courses plus comprehensive examination 9

Total Credit Hours 30

Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 30 credit hours completed with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA including 9 hours in an elective field specialization, selected under advisement. The 9-credit field specialization is developed by each student and his or her academic advisor to incorporate courses from related academic disciplines. Examples of field specializations include administration, linguistics, literacy, English as a second language, job development, workplace learning and staff development, vocational education, counseling, human resource development, student personnel administration, multiculturalism, creativity, exceptionality, criminal justice, health and wellness, educational computing, and business. The field specialization could also include an internship for those students with minimal adult education experience.

Students also must complete a written comprehensive examination as a culminating requirement.