The Online Graduate Certificate in Adult Education is designed to help professionals work effectively with adult learners in a variety of learning environments. This online certificate is especially attractive to people who teach or develop programs for adults yet do not have a Master’s Degree in Adult Education or the skills needed to educate this growing adult population. The online certificate provides a basic background in adult learning and program planning, as well as the diverse philosophical, theoretical, and historical contexts of adult education in the United States.

The Graduate Certificate in Adult Education is NOT the equivalent of a state teaching license nor preparation to earn a teaching license.

If you choose to purse a master's degree in Adult Education, these certificate courses may apply to your degree requirements. Completion of the certificate program does not guarantee admission to the master's program.

Certificate Requirements

Major Requirements (15 cr.)
Core Requirements (12 cr.)

• D500 Introduction to Adult Education Theory (3 cr.)
• D505 Adult Learning through the Lifespan (3 cr.)
• D506 Adult Education Planning and Development (3 cr.)
• D512 Forms and Forces in Adult Education (3 cr.)

Elective Requirements (3 cr.)
Select one of the following courses:

• D523 Small Group Theory in Adult Education (3 cr.)
• D525 Introduction to Distance Education Systems (3 cr.)
• D600 The Teaching Learning Transaction in Adult Education (3 cr.)
• Three graduate credit hours outside of Adult Education. Specific course selection must have the approval of your academic advisor.