Master of Arts in Adult Learning
The Master of Arts in Adult Learning is designed for students who work with adult learners in various settings including adult basic education programs (GED completion), literacy programs, higher education, 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 the field of adult learning, focusing on theories of adult learning and modeling best principles and practices.
A blend of theory and application, the fully online degree program provides two concentrations. The Higher Education Leadership concentration which focuses on critical areas within the field and the General concentration which provides multiple options for individualized study and program design through chosen electives to respond to the unique needs and interests of learners. This concentration also allows students the option to incorporate an advanced certificate into their degree program and earn a second credential. As a student in the program, your critical awareness of yourself as a learner will be deepened within a collaborative and supportive community of diverse mentors and peers.
Program Design
This 30-credit hour program is taught through online instruction. Students customize their degree plan with a focus approved by program faculty to ensure relevance and alignment with a final project. Please visit Empire State University's Academic Catalog for course enrollment sequencing.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
The M.A. in Adult Learning 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.
Required 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
Elective Courses and Final Project
Through the general concentration, students choose four elective courses (12 credits) to reflect their interests and to reinforce the individual focus of their degree. Students are encouraged to use the electives to build a concentration around the final project topic.
The final project is a concrete, focused task in the field of adult learning that informs learning goals.
General Concentration
ADLC 6005 |
Rethinking Experience and Learning in Adulthood |
ADLC 6010 |
Learning and Development in Contemporary Adulthood |
ADLC 6015 |
Strategies for Effective Adult Learning |
ADLC 6020 |
Approaches to Critical Inquiry and Research |
Electives |
12 Credits (4 courses of choice to meet goals ) |
ADLC 7010 |
Project Design |
ADLC 7015 |
Final Project |
Higher Education Administration Concentration
ADLC 6005 |
Rethinking Experience and Learning in Adulthood |
ADLC 6010 |
Learning and development in Contemporary Adulthood |
ADLC 6020 |
Approaches to Critical Inquiry and Research |
ADLC 6034 |
History and Philosophy of Higher Education |
ADLC 6015 |
Strategies for Effective Adult Learning |
ADLC 6032 |
Economics and Finance in Higher Education |
ADLC 6031 |
Administration and Leadership in Higher Education |
ADLC 7010 |
Project Design |
Electives |
3 Credits (one course) |
ADLC 7015 |
Final Project |
Example Focus in Workplace Learning
ADLC 6005 |
Rethinking Experience and Learning in Adulthood |
ADLC 6010 |
Learning and development in Contemporary Adulthood |
ADLC 6020 |
Approaches to Critical Inquiry and Research |
ADLC 6015 |
Strategies for Effective Adult Learning |
ADLC 6095 |
Human Resources Development |
ADLC 6040 |
Learning and Development in the Workforce |
ADLC 6122 OR ADLC 6045 |
Mentoring Adult Learners OR Transformative Learning |
EDET 6130 OR EDET 6015 |
Facilitating Learning in Online and Blended Environments Or Instructional Design |
ADLC 7010 |
Project Design |
ADLC 7015 |
Final Project |
Example Focus in Community Education
ADLC 6005 |
Rethinking Experience and Learning in Adulthood |
ADLC 6010 |
Learning and development in Contemporary Adulthood |
ADLC 6020 |
Approaches to Critical Inquiry and Research |
ADLC 6015 |
Strategies for Effective Adult Learning |
ADLC 6025 |
Activist Learning |
ADLC 6075 |
Adult Literacy and Social Change |
ADLC 6122 OR ADLC 6045 |
Mentoring Adult Learners OR Transformative Learning |
PPOL 6070 |
Race Class and Gender |
ADLC 7010 |
Project Design |
ADLC 7015 |
Final Project |
SAMPLE ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES:
ADLC 6035 Administering Adult Learning Programs
ADLC 6050 Learning Theory and Practice
ADLC 6065 Racialized Narratives in Adult Education
ADLC 6070 Adult Learning in the Community College
ADLC 6080 The Experience of Adults in Higher Education
ADLC 6085 Comparative and International Adult and Higher Education
ADLC 6105 Career Self-Management
ADLC 6125 Practicum in Adult Education
For more information about this program and its course sequencing and descriptions, visit the Empire State University's Academic Catalog.