The study of educating and training adults who have reached adulthood is known as adult education. It covers general education, occupational training, and even formal, informal, and non-formal education. Individuals in Adult Education are often over the age of 25 and participate with the intention of improving their chances of employment and developing particular skills required for a shift in caregiving.

A typical curriculum in Adult Education includes subjects like Professional Success, Adult Learning Theory, Learning Styles, Critical Thinking, Communication, Social Sciences, Family Literacy and Technology in Education and students who major in adult education acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, as well as the capacity to use them when instructing. To fulfil the needs of and inspire individuals, they learn how to lead conversations, teams, and activities.

Additionally, students in adult education receive in-depth information on a variety of subjects, including adult learning, instructional methodologies, assessment, management, and marketing. They also learn to think critically in all facets of life. Seminars, lectures, fieldwork, and research are all done to broaden a student's knowledge and assess their skills. Numerous universities provide adult education programmes, and there is currently a greater need for graduates in this subject.

Study levels:

Interested students can enrol themselves into a college or university that offers a programme in Adult Education which is available at all levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral.

The various study levels include:

• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies
• Bachelor Degree in Education and Economics
• Pre-Bachelor Foundation Certificate in Higher Education
• Bachelor of Science in Adult Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Development
• Bachelor Degree in Adult and Organizational Development
• Bachelor of Science in Child, Adult, and Family Services
• Master Degree in Educational Sciences
• Master in Adult Education and Human Resource Development
• M.A. in Adult Learning and Global Change
• Master in Adult Education for Social Change
• Master of Science in Adult Continuing Education
• Master of Education in Adult Learning
• Ph.D. in Developmental Education
• Ph.D. in Adult, Professional, and Community Education
• Ph.D. in Teacher Education
• Ph.D. in Higher Education
• Doctor of Education

Specialisations:

Students can further refine their knowledge in education by selecting an area of specialisation which is designed for training professionals who seek to foster change in individual adults, groups and organisations and with these specialisations, students will be prepared to understand how diversity, technology, and educational research and practice can be applied to support adult teaching, learning, coaching and advising. These are:

• Literacy
• Remedial Education
• Instructional Technology
• Distance Education
• Second Language Teaching
• Organizational Learning
• Education Technology
• Human Resources Training

Employability:

An adult education job can be very fulfilling as graduates with a degree in Adult Education may work in a range of contexts, including non-profit organisations, community colleges, corporate training, and professional development. Graduates of some programmes are also eligible to teach in their chosen fields, such as life counselling, health training, emergency medical technician training (EMT), and others.

Popular job titles include:

• Adult Literacy Teacher
• Vocational Instructor
• Remedial Education Teacher
• Community College Professor
• Training and Development Manager
• Corporate Trainer
• Training Coordinator
• Human Resources Training Expert
• GED Instructor
• Continuing Education Professor
• Literacy Specialist