Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Careers in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Are on the Rise
As businesses and organizations collectively tighten their belts, employers are adding more stringent hiring requirements for new employees, and corporations are placing a stronger emphasis on education and training at all levels in the workplace. Such actions have led to an increased need for qualified adult education professionals in a variety of businesses, healthcare, community centers, higher education institutions, and corporate training centers.
As a graduate of this program, you can be qualified to provide leadership in one or more of the following domains of adult education practice: teaching and learning for adults, curriculum and instructional design and development in adult education, program planning and administration for adult learners, or curriculum and/or program evaluation within adult education programming.
Why Adult Education Online at Penn State
Penn State's online adult education program is offered in partnership with Penn State's College of Education. As a student studying online, you can expect the same quality education that our residential students experience — high academic standards for courses taught by the same faculty with real-world experience, who have been trained to teach online.
In our program, experienced students from diverse backgrounds and careers join together to enhance their understanding of the unique needs of today’s adult learners and how they learn best.
Customize Your Degree with Options
This flexible program allows you to align your degree studies with your career goals by choosing the general master's in education path or selecting a formal option, which will appear on your diploma.
Master of Education (no option): Offers flexibility to register for more electives from several different areas, including Adult Basic Education (ABE), global online and distance education, qualitative research methods, and family literacy.
Adult Basic Education and Literacy option: Course work is focused on teaching and research in ABE and literacy with electives in distance education, administration, and theory.
Global Online and Distance Education option: Course work is focused on historical and current procedures, practices, and developments related to distance education both domestically and internationally. Electives include course topics such as theory, program planning, and emerging technologies.
Act 48 Approved
Penn State is an Act 48–approved provider for Pennsylvania educators, so the courses for the Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education may count toward professional development hours.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, or application instructions.
Courses
Penn State's 30-credit online Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education curriculum focuses on the knowledge and skills required to develop professionals who work with adult learners. Each course focuses on preparing you to help adult learners build on their existing knowledge and continue to learn in a purposeful way.
The Graduate School policy requires that out of the 30-credit curriculum, at least 6 credits must be taken at the 500 level, and at least 18 credits must be taken at the 500 or 800 level. A maximum of 10 credits from graduate course work completed at an external institution may be transferred into a degree program. The Graduate School also requires all students to graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher and within an eight-year time frame.
Elective credits can be taken at any time during your degree progression. You will need to obtain prior approval from your academic adviser before taking any 400- or 500-level graduate courses to fulfill your elective requirements. Any graduate-level course taken at Penn State may qualify as an elective requirement for this program with prior approval from your academic adviser. You may also be able to transfer credits into the program, in consultation with your academic adviser. Prerequisites as listed may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.
Collaborative Experience, Practical Applications
The adult education curriculum uses a blend of web technology, print, and other media to maximize flexibility without sacrificing professor and student interaction. Communication tools, including bulletin boards and email, are used to foster a collaborative environment, providing you with the opportunity to learn from one another about the unique industries and institutions you come from and your varied professional experiences.
The curriculum and course format will help you develop practical applications of the topics you study. Learn online when it is convenient for you, and immediately apply to your job what you've learned.
Required Courses (12 credits)
The core courses and culminating experience are required for all program options.
Core Courses (9 credits)
Culminating Experience (3 credits)
General Master of Education Option (select 18 credits)
Adult Basic Education and Literacy Option (18 credits)
Required Courses (12 credits)
Electives (select 6 credits)
Global Online and Distance Education Option (18 credits)
Required Courses (12 credits)
Electives (select 6 credits)
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,007 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,082 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Online applications, including all supporting materials, should be submitted by the following dates to be considered for the corresponding semester:
Extensions can be granted to accept applications after these dates.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.
GPA — All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
References (3) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.
Program-Specific Questions/Materials
Statement of Purpose — Please tell us why you would like to pursue graduate studies at Penn State. You may wish to tell us about questions or issues that drive you, experiences that have shaped your professional interests, your medium-term and long-term goals, and why you think that Penn State is well-suited to help you. Feel free to include any additional information that may assist faculty in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at Penn State.
Writing Samples — Please attach a critical review of a research article or report from a recent educational journal in your area of proposed study. Identify the problem or issue, the author's analytical/empirical approach, and the nature of the evidence used in supporting any conclusions. Include a citation with the author's name, article title, journal name, volume, page numbers, and publication date. We’re looking for an essay of approximately 300 words.
Start Your Application
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
Begin the graduate school application
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Applying as a Nondegree Graduate Student
Apply as a "nondegree" graduate student to begin taking courses right away. If you are taking courses as a nondegree graduate student, you must apply to the master's degree to be considered for admission into the Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education. In the graduate school application:
- Select "Nondegree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Excel in the Adult Education Field
Excel in the Adult Education Field
Adult educators are in high demand. You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can often earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Education, please contact:
Whitney Deshong
Administrative Support Assistant
Learning and Performance Systems
The Pennsylvania State University
303 Keller Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-0473
Email: [email protected]
William C. Diehl, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Coordinator of Online Graduate Programs in Adult Education
The Pennsylvania State University
303 Keller Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-867-0228
Email: [email protected]
Faculty
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Craig A. Campbell
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DegreeEd.D., Adult and Higher Education, Northern Illinois University
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DegreeM.A., Cross-Cultural Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks (in progress)
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DegreeM.S., Ed. Teaching and Learning, Northern Illinois University
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DegreeB.S., Mathematical Sciences, Northern Illinois University
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DegreeA.S., Applied Science, Highland Community College
Dr. Craig A. Campbell's doctoral degree focused on community development and international and popular education. Currently, he is working on a capstone project toward acquiring a second master's degree in cross-cultural studies with emphasis on indigenous knowledge systems. His research interests include nonformal and informal learning, international adult education, folk schools, popular education, University and Cooperative Extension, distance education, qualitative research methodologies, the Tribal College movement, and indigenous knowledge systems. The commonalities among these seemingly disparate areas are rural place–based knowledges and access to education.
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José Cossa, Ph.D.
DegreePh.D., Cultural and Educational Policy Studies, Loyola University ChicagoDr. José Cossa is a Mozambican scholar, writer/author, researcher, poet, blogger, “twitterer,” podcaster, entrepreneur, and associate professor in the College of Education at Penn State. Cossa holds a Ph.D. in cultural and educational policy studies with a depth area in comparative and international education from Loyola University Chicago. He is the author of the book Power, Politics, and Higher Education in Southern Africa: International Regimes, Local Governments, and Educational Autonomy; the recipient of the 2012 Joyce Cain Award for Distinguished Research on People of African Descent; a co-founder of AI4Afrika; and a member of the MacArthur Foundation 100&Change Panel of Judges for two consecutive years (2018 Inaugural Challenge and 2019). Cossa’s research focuses on adult online and distance education, education in Africa, African Renaissance, and power dynamics in negotiation over educational policy; unveiling issues inherent in the promise of modernity and working toward de-colonializing, de-bordering, de-peripherizing, and de-centering the world; higher education policy and administration; system transfer; international development; global and social justice; and related topics. Cossa is engaged in a new (exterior to modernity) theorizing, which he coined as Cosmo-uBuntu. Cossa has taught in South Africa, Egypt, and the United States.
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William C. Diehl
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DegreePh.D., Adult Education, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Elementary Education, Penn State
Dr. William C. Diehl is an assistant associate professor of education in the lifelong learning and adult education program. He is also the coordinator of online graduate programs and lead faculty. Dr. Diehl is the director of The American Center for the Study of Distance Education and associate editor of The American Journal of Distance Education. His research includes foundations of distance and adult education, online teaching competencies, emerging technologies, and intercultural communication. He serves as an adviser to the graduate assistant group and Lifelong Learning and Adult Education GSA group.
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John D. Holst
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DegreeEd.D., Adult and Continuing Education, Northern Illinois University
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DegreeM.S., Adult and Continuing Education, Northern Illinois University
John D. Holst is an Associate Professor of Lifelong Learning and Adult Education. He teaches graduate courses on social theory, adult learning theory, globalization, and Paulo Freire. He is the author of the book Social Movements, Civil Society, and Radical Adult Education (2002), co-author along with Stephen Brookfield of the book Radicalizing Learning: Adult Education for a Just World (2011), and co-editor along with Nico Pizzolato of the book, Antonio Gramsci: A Pedagogy to Change the World (2017). His research focuses on theory development for and case studies of the social justice tradition in adult education.
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Rebecca Tarlau
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DegreePh.D., Education, University of California, Berkeley
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DegreeM.A., Education, University of California, Berkeley
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DegreeB.A., Anthropology and Latin American Studies, University of Michigan
Dr. Rebecca Tarlau is an assistant professor of education and labor and employment. Her ethnographic research agenda has three broad areas of focus: theories of the state and state-society relations; social movements, critical pedagogy, and learning; and Latin American education and development.
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