What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in Adult Education in 2025?

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Share

Is a master's degree in adult education worth the investment?

A master's degree in adult education is generally worth the investment if your goal is to advance your career and enhance teaching or leadership skills specific to adult learners. It can increase earning potential, offer specialization, and open doors to administrative roles or curriculum development. 

It also provides personal growth and networking opportunities. However, consider the cost, time, and alternative methods to achieve your goals before making a decision. Overall, it’s a valuable investment for those committed to lifelong learning and career advancement in adult education.

What is the job outlook for adult education professionals? 

The job outlook for professionals with an adult education degree is positive. While the number of traditional teaching roles in adult basic and secondary education and English as a Second Language (ESL) is projected to decrease, there's still a consistent need for new educators.

Over the next decade, an average of 4,100 job openings are expected to become available each year. These positions are opening up as current professionals retire or change careers, creating a steady demand for new educators.

Earning a master's degree in adult education can make you a more competitive candidate for these roles. A master's degree provides you with the specialized skills and knowledge to meet the changing needs of adult learners, making you a valuable professional in this field.

For those exploring similar academic paths, researching what can you do with a master's degree in gifted education can also be helpful, as it highlights how specialized graduate programs open doors to niche teaching roles and leadership opportunities within education.

In 2023, there were approximately 41,700 jobs for adult basic and secondary education and ESL teachers. The main employers for these positions are shown in the chart below.

What are the most common jobs for master's in adult education graduates?

Graduates with a master’s degree in adult education are well-prepared to pursue careers that focus on teaching, training, and leadership in educational and organizational settings. As a result, career opportunities extend beyond traditional classrooms to include roles in higher education, corporate training, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

 The most common jobs for graduates with a master's degree in adult education include:

• Corporate Trainer Manager: Develop and deliver training programs within organizations, design curricula tailored to company needs, and manage training teams.
• Learning and Development Director: Lead strategic organizational learning initiatives to enhance employee skills and knowledge.
• Educational Administrator: Roles such as university dean, department head, or educational nonprofit leader, overseeing educational programs for adults.
• Educational Consultant: Provide consulting services to organizations on adult learning and training development.
• Policy Analyst: Evaluate and shape educational policies related to adult learning and advocate for improvements.
• Career Counselor: Assist adults in identifying career goals, job hunting strategies, and resume/interview skills.
• Human Resources Training Specialist: Develop and evaluate corporate training programs focused on adult learners.
• College Professor: Teach adult students in colleges and universities, often focusing on adult learning styles.
• Adult Literacy and Remedial Education Teacher: Teach basic literacy, General Education Development (GED) prep, remedial math, or English as a second language to adult learners.
• Program Director or Student Adviser: Manage adult education degree programs and guide adult learners.

Some graduates also explore adjacent fields like literacy instruction, where knowing the masters in reading and literacy salary outlook can help in evaluating career potential. For instance, many literacy-focused roles, such as reading specialists or instructional coordinators, offer competitive earnings that align closely with those of adult education professionals while expanding opportunities into K–12 or specialized literacy programs.

What salary can I expect as a professional in adult education?

As a professional in adult education, salary expectations can vary widely depending on factors such as job title, industry, and level of experience. Graduates with a master’s in adult education often pursue careers in higher education, workforce training, corporate development, or nonprofit leadership, and each path comes with its own earning potential.

As a professional in adult education, particularly as an adult education teacher in the United States, you can expect the following salary range:

• Average annual salary: Around $52,000 to $54,000
• Typical salary range: $40,000 (25th percentile) to $60,000 (75th percentile) annually
• Average hourly wage: About $25 to $27 per hour
• High salary grade: Higher earners can make up to approximately $76,000 annually or $36 per hour

Salary varies by location, experience, skill level, and specific roles within the field of adult education. For example, some cities like Nome, AK, Berkeley, CA, and Sitka, AK offer salaries above the national average, reaching around $60,000 to $65,000 annually.

On the other hand, salaries for related roles in adult education, such as corporate trainers or education administrators, can be higher depending on responsibilities and industry. Professionals exploring alternative teaching certificate jobs may also find comparable or even higher salary ranges, particularly if they transition into K–12 or specialized subject instruction, where districts often offer competitive pay to fill teacher shortages.

What are the necessary skills for an adult education professional?

Success in adult education requires more than subject matter expertise—it also demands a diverse set of interpersonal, organizational, and instructional skills tailored to the unique needs of adult learners.

Necessary skills for professionals with an adult education degree include:

• Adaptability and willingness to learn: Being open to new methods and continuous improvement.
• Communication: Clear, effective verbal and written communication tailored to adult learners.
• Critical thinking: Analyzing and solving problems that arise in learning contexts.
• Interpersonal skills: Building positive relationships with diverse adult learners.
• Navigating systems: Guiding learners through educational or workplace systems and processes.
• Problem-solving: Helping learners overcome challenges in learning and application.
• Processing and analyzing information: Managing content and learner needs efficiently.
• Respecting differences: Valuing diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of adult learners.
• Self-awareness: Reflecting on one’s teaching practice and learner needs for ongoing development.

How much does a master’s degree in adult education cost? 

The cost of a master's degree in adult education varies widely depending on the institution and program format:

• The average total cost for a master's degree program across fields is about $36,760 per year, or roughly $73,520 for a typical two-year program. This includes tuition, fees, and other expenses.
• Tuition alone for master's programs averages around $12,120 per year, with public schools averaging about $10,320 and private nonprofit schools charging around $15,100 annually.
• Online master's degrees in education, including adult education, tend to be more affordable, with average annual costs around $27,930 and some programs costing as low as $3,800 to $7,700 per year.

Considering the investment of a master's degree, it is also important to understand the educational backgrounds of those already in the field. In addition, many graduates research potential Master of Arts in Teaching or MAT degree jobs—such as teaching, curriculum development, or educational leadership—to better evaluate whether the long-term career and salary prospects justify the financial commitment of graduate study.

The chart below shows the most common adult education degrees.

How long does it take to complete a master’s degree in adult education?

The typical time to complete a master's degree in adult education is generally between one to three years, depending on the program format and enrollment status:

• Most online Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs in Adult Education are designed to be completed in about two years for working professionals studying part-time. These programs usually require 30 to 36 credits.
• Full-time students may complete some programs in as little as one year, especially with accelerated coursework options.
• Part-time students taking fewer courses per semester often take about three years to finish, with some universities allowing up to five to seven years for program completion to accommodate different schedules.
• Programs typically involve core courses, specialization courses, and a capstone project or thesis.
• Online courses are often asynchronous, providing flexibility for students balancing work and study.

What courses are typically included in a master's in adult education curriculum?

A typical master's in adult education curriculum includes a range of courses designed to develop expertise in adult learning theories, instructional strategies, program evaluation, and leadership. Common courses found across programs are:

• Adult Learning and Development: Understanding adult learning theories and developmental stages.
• Instructional Design and Technology: Designing effective educational programs and using technology in adult learning.
• Program Evaluation and Needs Assessment: Assessing the effectiveness of adult education degrees and identifying learner needs.
• Curriculum Design and Instructional Strategies: Developing curricula tailored for adult learners.

What specializations can I pursue in an adult education master's program?

A master's in adult education offers several specializations beyond the foundational curriculum, allowing you to tailor your degree to specific career paths. Some of the most common specializations include:

Human Resource Development and Workplace Learning

This specialization focuses on training and developing employees within an organization. It prepares you for roles in corporate training, employee development, and human resources. The curriculum often covers topics like organizational development, change management, and leadership. This track is ideal if you want to apply adult education principles in a business or corporate setting to improve performance and drive organizational goals. 

For those looking to quickly advance their career in this area, pursuing an accelerated online master's in HR management can be a great option.

Higher Education Administration

This specialization is designed for individuals who want to work in colleges and universities in roles outside of traditional teaching. Courses in this track may cover student affairs, academic advising, and institutional leadership. It's a great option if you are passionate about supporting adult learners in a university environment, whether they are undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education students.

Community and Non-profit Education

This specialization focuses on educational programs and initiatives within community-based organizations. It prepares you to work with diverse populations in settings like community centers, non-profit agencies, and government departments. The curriculum often includes topics such as community organizing, program planning for social change, and working with marginalized groups. This track is for those who want to use education as a tool for community empowerment and social justice. 

For individuals looking to quickly assume a leadership role in this sector, pursuing one of the fastest online master's degree in nonprofit management programs can be a highly efficient path.

Health Professions Education

This specialization is tailored for professionals who want to train and educate others in the healthcare field. It's suitable for nurses, doctors, and other health professionals who need to develop educational programs for staff, patients, or the public.

The curriculum might include topics on clinical teaching, patient education, and medical curriculum design. This specialization is particularly useful for improving training and education outcomes in the fast-paced healthcare industry. 

Aspiring healthcare leaders often seek advanced business and management skills, making fast-track online MBA programs in healthcare administration an increasingly popular option to complement their expertise.

What certification in adult education can boost my career prospects?

Certifications in adult education that can boost your career prospects include:

• Adult Learning Certificate (Association for Talent Development, ATD): This well-recognized credential covers effective strategies for teaching adult learners, instructional design, and facilitation. It is particularly valuable for trainers, HR professionals, and those wanting to demonstrate their expertise in adult learning and professional development.
• Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning and Development: Universities such as Cleveland State offer fully online certificates in adult learning and development. These programs build skills to work with adult learners in a variety of settings, such as workplace learning, higher education, and community-based education.
• Online Adult Education Certificates: Many platforms and higher education institutions offer specialized certificates in areas like online teaching for adults, workplace learning, and instructional design. For those interested in a career in English language instruction, exploring the fastest online ESL graduate certificate programs can provide a direct path to a new role. Earning such certificates demonstrates initiative and adds new skills to your resume, improving job market competitiveness.
• Graduate Certificate in Community or Higher Education Leadership: Some programs offer leadership-focused certificates for those interested in moving into administrative or policy roles, combining theory with practical leadership skills relevant to adult education settings.
• Specialized Industry Certifications: If your interest is in workforce development or HR, certifications like the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) can further distinguish you among candidates for senior training and development roles.

What emerging trends are shaping the future of adult education?

Emerging trends shaping the future of adult education include:

• Microlearning: Education delivered in small, focused units that are easier for busy adults to fit into their schedules. This approach keeps learners engaged and makes complex knowledge more manageable.
• Microcredentials: Short, targeted courses awarding certificates for specific skills. These flexible, affordable credentials can be stacked for broader qualifications, making them attractive to working adults.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is transforming adult education by personalizing learning experiences, automating content creation and grading, providing AI tutors and chatbots, and optimizing courses in real-time. This growing trend also means that adult learners are seeking relevant skills to thrive in an AI-driven world, leading to a rise in demand for options like a  fast track artificial intelligence degree online.
• Personalized Learning: Tailoring educational journeys to fit learners’ career goals, interests, and circumstances. Adaptive learning technologies help provide customized content and pacing.
• Collaborative Learning: Even with remote learning becoming common, adults seek peer interaction for motivation, multiple perspectives, and networking opportunities via group projects, forums, and chat rooms.

Meanwhile, the chart below shows the percentage of adult education teachers by gender:

Here’s What Graduates Have to Say About Their Adult Education Degrees 

Other Things You Should Know About What to Do With a Master’s Degree in Adult Education 

What is the most common adult education program?

The most common adult education degree program is ESL, especially for immigrants needing to learn English for social and professional advancement. ESL programs are the fastest-growing type of state-administered adult education in the U.S. alongside Adult Basic Education (ABE), which helps adults improve fundamental skills like reading, writing, and math or prepare for a high school equivalency diploma. Work-related and personal development courses are also highly prevalent among adult learners.

What are the five characteristics of adult education? 

The five key characteristics of adult education are:

1. Goal-Oriented Learning: Adults engage in education with specific goals, such as career advancement or personal development.
2. Life Experience as an Asset: Adult learners bring valuable prior knowledge and experiences to their learning.
3. Self-Direction and Independence: Adults prefer to take control of their learning path and be responsible for their progress.
4. Relevance and Practicality: Learning must be applicable and useful to real-world tasks and challenges.
5. Diverse Motivations: Adults have various reasons to learn, including job skills, career changes, or personal fulfillment.

What is the age limit for a master’s degree in the U.S.? 

There is no age limit for pursuing a master's degree in the U.S. American universities welcome students of all ages for graduate programs. While some programs may value work experience or certifications, age itself is not a barrier. Many older students pursue master's degrees for career advancement, transitions, or personal fulfillment.

Flexible learning options like online classes and part-time study accommodate non-traditional students. Ultimately, the U.S. promotes lifelong learning with no upper age restrictions for master's degree applicants. Age is simply not a limiting factor.

What is adult education in the U.S.? 

Adult education in the U.S. refers to organized educational activities for adults to gain new knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values beyond traditional schooling. It encompasses formal learning like degree programs, non-formal training such as workplace education, and informal learning arising from daily life. The goal is to improve basic skills, English language proficiency, job-related abilities, or personal enrichment.

The system is supported through federal initiatives and delivered by various institutions like community colleges and nonprofits, addressing adults’ diverse educational and workforce needs. Adult education promotes lifelong learning and social inclusion.