Studying Adult Education and Administration: Degrees at a Glance
You will find the masters of education study program to be one of the most versatile when it comes to the field of Adult Education. The job options are numerous, not only within educational institutions, but also in the world of corporations and large organizations. New ways of teaching and analyzing are needed as technology has changed so dramatically. The doctorate similarly has many possibilities, including that as an administrator or as a researcher.
Discovering new teaching methods to use within growing field of online and corporate training are but a few of your options. In the educational sector job opportunities include: working on instructional design, various learning technologies, and program assessment. In the business workplace, corporate training and human resource development are two strong areas for employment. The unemployment rate for both the master's and doctorate level is much lower than the national average (3.6%-2.5% respectively).*
| Master's | Doctorate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is the degree for? | Individuals within the field of education as well as others in other fields who are looking to use their training in new ways, such as the designing of new educational formats. | Those who are active in the field of education, wishing to advance beyond the classroom into administration or perhaps venture into research. |
| Common Career Paths | -Training and Development ($99,000)* -Designing and teaching corporate training programs - community college professors ($39,000)* - University professors ($69,000)* | Administrator within academia ($76,000) - specialized study, such as human resources, corporate consulting and global collaboration ($92,000)* |
| Time for Completion | Full-time study takes under two years, including summer sessions. A part-time course of study may be spread over a number of years according to the individual program | This also varies according to the requirements of the particular program of study. It may run from 2-5 years |
| Common graduation Requirements | A thesis or project to be determined by the field of study | PhD programs also require a thesis, dissertation or project which is determined by the student and mentor |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor's degree in a recognized field, not necessarily education, GRE scores from within the past 5 years, a writing sample | Master's degree in Education, GRE or MAT scores. There are a few programs that will allow a non-education master student to join after they complete several core courses called deficiency courses |
| Online Availability | There are many options available | Some online options are available as well as hybrid programs that utilize online as well as classroom courses |
*Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (mean salaries for 2011)
Master's Degree in Adult Education and Administration
The opportunities here are governed by your goal. Either a full-time or part-time is allowed. The job possibilities for this level of education has widened tremendously. You have the option of remaining in the traditional classroom or venturing into the corporate world and government or non-profit organizations. Specialization areas may include: program development, leadership training, distance learning, community education as well as human resources.
With the rapid change in technology, new methods of teaching are needed. This crosses over from the traditional classroom into the corporate world. Distance learning is growing and better designed programs of presentation are desired. The traditional classroom is having to compete against the virtual classroom for all forms of instruction.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- While based on traditional classroom subject matter, you are given a chance to bring modern technology to students in multiple environments.
- The master's program is open to any individual with a bachelor's degree in any accredited program
- The median annual salary for education administrators and coordinators is $77,000*
- In the government sector the median annual wage is $86,000*
- In computer management training it can go as high as $114,000*
*Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Services (figures for 2011)
Cons
- GRE scores, taken within the past 5 years will most likely be required for admission.
- Professors on the community and even on the state level are often hired as adjuncts or paid strictly by the credit hours they teach each semester
- While you may be in an online program, a few institutions require some on-campus study
- On-campus programs may be available only on certain campuses for specific fields of study.
Courses and Requirements
Core subject may include: Teaching the Adult; Learning Methods; Research Techniques; Multicultural Topics; Instructional design; Problem-solving Methods.
Specialization can be done in areas such as: ESL (English as a Second Language); Adult literacy; Advanced Instructional Design; Evaluation Methods; Workforce Organization; Corporate Training. A thesis is often the final presentation needed that includes as in-depth presentation of your field of specialization.
Online Degree Options
There are many online degree study options available for the master's program. Explore the various programs to decide which setup the best fit for your circumstances. Look carefully at the programs available as you may discover new areas of study you were unaware of before.
Stand Out With this Degree
If you decide to specialize in a certain field, take the necessary corresponding electives that would distinguish you in that area. It could be in community education, working with financial institutions or other corporate industries. These institutions have specific software or programs that they use. Human resources and workplace learning also have unique programs and needs. Being a part of an internship or volunteering in your field of specialization would be to your benefit.
Degree Alternatives
Your specialization may take you into just about any section of the workplace that requires ongoing training and the continual updating of skills, as the modern workplace in undergoing a massive paper to computer only evolution. The expansion of technical devices has created opportunities that did not exist in the recent past. Most of these changes are still in the formative stages.
New ideas are needed when it comes to teaching and to evaluation methods corresponding to these changes, both in the traditional field of education, but also within business and governmental institutions.
Doctorate Degree in Adult Education and Administration
With this step you enter into the top level of education. You have the option of moving out of the classroom in into the world of administration. Upper education management and evaluation positions are within your reach. There are also the options of going into research. If you wish to remain in the classroom you will have to chance to be teaching to professionals, already in the field, seeking further education for themselves. You have the opportunity to become a leader in your field, whether it is in administration, leadership, community education or research.
Pros
- This is the top level and it can give great returns, especially in the satisfaction of being able to help develop and create new methods of study and options in education.
- Doors may open for research opportunities and educational leadership, on campus or in the world community.
- Involvement in programs that seek solutions for education on the national or international campus is possible
- Writing, publishing your research can lead to new directions and opportunities
Cons
- The GRE scores or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) will most likely be required
- A master's in education is required, except for specific circumstances mentioned in the next section
- Positions available are not as abundant because of local and state budgets constraints*
- In an online program you will not have the advantage of face to face discussions that are often most helpful at this level of study
*Source: BLS (figures 2011)
Courses and Requirements
Here, it is your specialization that will determine what courses you need. Your dissertation subject, sometimes called your thesis or project, will be decided between you, your mentor and/or the head of the department.
Common standard courses may include: research methods, developmental and learning processes, socio-cultural differences and their effect, as well as the philosophical and social history of education.
Special acceptance may be given to an individual who has a master's degree in another field, after they take what is known as deficiency courses.
Online Degree Options
Doctorate programs of study are not as abundant as those for the master's level, but they do exist. There are even some hybrid options where you do take some on campus classes in conjunction with your online studies. Changes in the virtual classroom have made the online options more appealing.
Stand Out With This Degree
Look at the global possibilities, with the solving of cross-cultural and multidisciplinary options that include the analyzing and creating of programs for the developed as well as developing countries.
Explore the possibility of specializing in a field like finance, leadership training or human relations if you wish to reach beyond the wall of academia.
If staying within the traditional educational circumstances, strong administration and leadership skills give you the opportunity to enter the top levels within the university system.
Degree Alternatives
Perhaps being front and center is not what you wish. If so, look for research opportunities related to educational methods and online virtual classroom creation. With the new technology has come the need for new formats of presenting and analyzing subject matter. The hard copy textbook is being transformed into totally new digital formats.
