Online Master’s in Education with Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning

The master’s in education with a concentration in adult education and e-learning is designed for candidates looking to prepare to pursue leadership and curriculum design roles in the fields of corporate training, career and professional development, higher education, and K-12 administration.

Learning is different for adults than for children, and educational solutions are not universal. Adults have different learning needs and extenuating circumstances, which impact how instruction must be administered and evaluated. This online master’s in education explores the adult learner as a whole person, taking into account physiological, emotional and intellectual differences, complex lifestyles, and innovative education research. The program focuses on the electronic delivery of educational solutions.

Degree candidates in this adult education and e-learning concentration have the opportunity to study the practical applications of theoretical practices. This one-year master’s in education degree program focuses on helping candidates prepare to leverage industry-authentic tools and assessments to work to develop career-relevant skills in preparation for the next steps in their career path. The concentration explores how to collaborate in a community of learners, professionally apply these skills and develop e-learning solutions for a variety of learning environments and purposes, including corporate training.

Pursuing an online master’s in education at AIU^® can expose students to a collaborative community of learners. These flexible 5-week courses are designed to help candidates develop and apply professional skills that are reinforced by cognitive science, learning models and e-learning best practices.

At AIU, candidates have access to instructors who have real-world experience in their field. The master’s degree in education curriculum is tailored to skills and training utilized in the education market today. Candidates can engage with faculty and network with peers, receive academic counseling and support services, and access resources in the virtual library.

The online master’s degree in education with a concentration in adult education and e-learning program was developed for working adults. Degree candidates can pursue this degree 100% online, allowing the flexibility to study on your terms and your schedule.

AIU’s Online Master’s in Education - Adult Education and E-Learning Concentration can help you learn how to:

• Design educational content and programming that is appropriate to support learning for diverse audiences, contexts, global perspectives, and cultural responsiveness.
• Justify complex educational decision-making using educational theories, financial management, and scholarly research practices.
• Adapt advanced, discipline-appropriate professional and research communication skills for personal growth and stakeholder engagement.
• Employ professional education dispositions appropriate for educational practice and leadership.
• Implement instructional strategies and technologies to support learning on various platforms.
• Analyze the impact of instructional design methodology and learning theories for effectiveness of interventions and/or educational systems.
• Integrate continuous improvement, learner assessment, e-learning, education technologies, and evaluation plans based on data analysis.
• Recommend solutions to behavioral management issues in adult education.
• Integrate adult learning principles and motivation theories with the design of learning events for adults.
• Evaluate the applications, costs and benefits of technology as applied to adult learning.

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American InterContinental University’s Master of Education degree is not designed to meet state educator licensing or advancement requirements; however, it may assist candidates in gaining these approvals in their state of residence depending on those requirements. Contact the state board of education in the applicable state(s) for details.

Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.

The courses within the adult education and e-learning concentration introduce the various models and theories of adult learning. The online master’s degree in education with a concentration in adult education and e-learning courses emphasize the practical implications of cognitive science, learning approaches and e-learning best practices. Candidates have access to hands-on training of innovative tools for real-world design implementation.

The one-year master’s degree program offers condensed 5-week classes that focus on high-level skills while delving into nuanced instruction and learning theory. The program culminates in a capstone project akin to a thesis, which is designed to provide hands-on experience while encouraging the fluid integration of knowledge.

The adult education and e-learning concentration is designed to survey the learning process and impact of educational technology and platforms on the adult learner. Candidates can explore learning theories, such as cognitive, behaviorist and constructivist models, while incorporating instructional design methodologies using the Articulate 360 suite of tools. Candidates can create an ePortfolio, participate in colleague peer networking and establish badging credentials throughout the program.

For an Online Master’s in Education with an Adult Education and E-Learning Concentration, your classes may include:

Adult Learner Characteristics and Facilitation

This course delves into adult learning theories, including andragogy, adult developmental stage theories and action learning. There is an additional focus on assessing learning needs and evaluating education and training outcomes among adult populations.

Designing Instruction for E-Learning for Adults

In this course, candidates can study instructional design for various venues, groupings and situations common to adult learning environments, including vocational classrooms, field training, and individual and group learning. Topics ranging from technical skills to management training and education are covered.

Assessing and Evaluating Adult Learning

In this course,candidates consider the delivery of education and training and conduct a lesson based on adult learning theory and topics. This includes coverage of tools for engaging adult learners, conducting classes in unfamiliar circumstances, and classroom management appropriate to adult audiences.

Learning Theory Foundations

This course introduces the various schools of thought on how people learn, emphasizing the practical implications of cognitive science. This course explores learning theories, including cognitivism, behaviorism, and constructivism. Candidates will also have an opportunity to develop a concept of professional behavior and performance through an in-depth study of contemporary leadership issues and leadership theories.

Integrative Design and Effective Curricula

This course examines the development of curricula for education and workplace learning and development. The comparison of evaluation design, curriculum design and instructional design assists candidates in aligning curriculum and instruction with foundational learning theories. Candidates will focus on creating learning objectives, assessing curriculum, designing instructional solutions, and integrating instructional technology. Program evaluation techniques are also introduced.

Data Applications for Education Technology

This course examines the methods to augment learning and teaching resources in the classroom by effectively using monetary and non-monetary resources. This course is designed to provide the foundations of analysis and assessment methodologies used in the field of education. Candidates are also introduced to applied quantitative and qualitative educational research methods in the context of the practitioner's educational environment. Comparisons of formative and summative assessment and formative evaluation are addressed.

University Catalog

What is a Master of Education (MEd) with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning degree?

AIU’s Master of Education (MEd) with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning is structured to help you design, implement and evaluate adult education and training programs using innovative educational technology. This degree is designed to help candidates prepare to pursue roles in a growing field, such as curriculum and program administrator, instructional coordinator, training and development specialist, instructional systems specialist, and more.*

* American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment, salary or career advancement. The list of career paths related to this program is based on a subset from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CIP to SOC Crosswalk. Some career paths listed above may require further education or job experience.

What will I study in this MEd degree program?

In this Master of Education with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning program, candidates study a mix of division core courses and Adult Education and E-Learning courses, including but not limited to, Data Applications for Education Technology, Integrative Design and Effective Curricula, and Adult Learner Characteristics and Facilitation. The program is designed to teach candidates how to design educational content and programming appropriate to support learning for diverse audiences, global perspectives, and cultural responsiveness. It will also help graduates prepare to integrate adult learning principles and motivation theories and implement instructional strategies and technologies to support learning on various platforms.

When and where can I begin my adult education and e-learning classes?

The Master of Education with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning degree program is offered online and starts every 5 weeks. Completion of the AIU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the AIU application process. You may speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-855-377-1888) or request information online. Once you’ve completed the online request, you may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.

How many credits are required to graduate from the Education with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning master’s degree program?

The Master’s in Education with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning degree requires a total of 45 credit hours. You may be eligible for transfer credit with provided official transcripts. AIU accepts up to 18 quarter hours of the qualifying credits you need toward your degree.**

**Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue a Master of Education with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning degree at AIU?

Discover a Master of Education with a Concentration in Adult Education and E-Learning degree program at AIU. It emphasizes the practical implications of cognitive science, learning approaches, and e-learning best practices. We offer flexible 5-week courses in a curriculum tailored to skills and training utilized in the education industry today. In addition, it was developed for working adults. Degree candidates can pursue this degree online, allowing the flexibility to study on their own terms and schedules.