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Master of Science (MS) in Higher Education

School of Education

Adult Education specialization

Prepare to play a vital role in higher education by understanding the unique needs of adult students. This master's Adult Education specialization is designed around recognized professional standards. Expand your expertise in adult education with curriculum that emphasizes reflective practice, current theory, and best practices. Gain a better understanding of collaborative learning, program development for adult students, and learning styles as they relate to students of various backgrounds. You'll start working toward your goals right away by creating a professional development plan in your first course. By the end of the program, you'll have compiled a professional portfolio that demonstrates your accomplishments and proves your understanding of concepts that qualify you for a career in higher education. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing careers as educators in community college, distance education, college, university, corporate, or other adult education settings.

This specialization is not designed to satisfy licensure requirements for P–12 public school teachers or administrators.

Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 48 quarter credits
Up to 12 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Credit: $375

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Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Expand your career options with additional specializations

    Increase your knowledge and career options by earning multiple specializations as part of your bachelor's or master's degree program at Capella. If you have elective courses in your program, you may be able to use them toward earning another specialization. However, completing additional specializations may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • ED5001 - Introduction to Higher Education
  • ED5006 - Survey of Research Methodology
  • ED5012 - Overview of Higher Education*
  • ED5016 - Foundations of Higher Education Assessment and Evaluation

Specialization Courses

  • ED5317 - Foundations of Adult Education*
  • ED5340 - Theories and Principles of Adult Learning*
  • ED5342 - Multicultural Perspectives in Adult Education
  • ED5344 - Strategies and Best Practices for Teaching and Learning*
  • ED5346 - Assessment of Learning and Teaching in Adult Education*
  • ED5348 - Adult Education Program Development*
  • ED5390 - Adult Education Capstone*

One Elective Course

  • Recommended elective courses:
  • ED7690 - Critical Skills for Facilitating Online Learning
  • ED5311 - Collaborative Nature of Adult Education
  • ED5312 - Strategies for Building Online Learning Communities
  • ED7703 - Student Development, Challenges, and Successes
  • ED7713 - Student Advising and Retention
  • ED7716 - Faculty Leadership
  • ED8600 - Effective Online Course Design, Delivery, Facilitation, and Assessment
Review of this specialization is pending in KS, KY, ND, SC, and WA.
In accordance with U.S. Department of Education (DOE) new advance notice requirements, a notification for this specialization will be submitted to the DOE. This specialization may be subject to additional review and approval by the DOE, which could result in a potential delay in learners being able to start the specialization. If this specialization is subject to additional review, the DOE will notify Capella University at least 30 days prior to the scheduled start date. Capella University proactively will keep applicants and learners enrolled in this specialization fully informed of any actions taken by the DOE that may affect their ability to successfully begin classes as originally scheduled.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

Course Descriptions

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