Online Graduate Degree Programs
- Executive Master of Health Administration (link opens in the Cohort Programs website)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- MAE in Adult Education
- MAE in Elementary Education
- MAE in Middle Grades Education
- MAE in Secondary Education
- MAE in Special Education
- MAE in Early Childhood Education
- MAE in Literacy Education
- MA in Criminology
- MA in History
- MA in Mathematics (Math Education)
- MA in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities
- Master of Science in Athletic Administration (link opens in the Cohort Programs website)
- Master of Science in Biology
- Master of Science in Communication Disorders
- Master of Science in Instructional Design
- Master of Science in Library Media Education
- Master of Science Technology Management
- Master of Science in Facility and Event Management (link opens in the Cohort Programs website)
MAE in Adult Education
The Online Master of Arts in Education in Adult Education prepares graduates to develop and deliver programs that serve the specific educational needs of adult learners. The 30 - 39 hour online master’s degree program includes coursework designed to introduce adult educators to some of the common knowledge found in the field of adult education, instructional methodology, and practices used to educate adults. Coursework also includes instruction in program development and application of theory in practical educational settings. The program also offers many chances to utilize the classroom information in real-world settings. Graduates of the program are employable in adult basic education settings, adult literacy settings, human resource and organizational settings, community-based education settings, and community colleges.
Program Concentration Areas and Curriculum Requirements
Students may choose from four concentration areas and/or earn a certificate designed to prepare students for community college teaching.
- Adult Education – General Concentration: The 30–hour General Concentration in Adult Education consists of a required core of 9 semester hours in Adult Education, 6 hours of additional Adult Education coursess, a research foundations course, and two 3–hour electives. The student and his or her advisor choose electives relevant to the student’s area of interest. Students complete a six hours with either a thesis option or non–thesis option.Click here to view the full curriculum for this concentration.
- Adult Education – Community and Technical College Concentration: The 39-hour Community and Technical College concentration is designed for individuals who work in Community and Technical settings. The program consists of a required core of 9 hours in Adult Education, 3 additional hours in Adult Education, 18 hours of content-specific graduate courses approved in conjunction with the corresponding discipline, a research foundations course, and two capstone experience courses.Students pursuing this concentration may earn the Community College Faculty Preparation Program Certificate. The Community College Faculty Preparation Program will help prepare individuals who want to work/teach within a community or technical college. Click here to view the full curriculum for this concentration.
- Adult Education – Higher Education Concentration: The 30-hour Higher Education concentration is designed for individuals who work in higher education settings, providing training or instructional development to faculty and staff. The program consists of a required core of 9 hours in Adult Education, 12 hours of specified electives, a research foundations course, and two capstone experience courses. Click here to view the full curriculum for this concentration.
- Adult Education - Training and Development Concentration: The 30-hour Training and Development concentration is designed for individuals who either work or would like to work as a trainer in the workplace. This would include business, military, and community education settings among others. The program consists of a required core of 9 hours in Adult Education, 6 hours in program planning and training methods for adults, 3 hours of EDFN 500 – Research Methods, six hours of capstone experience, and six hours of electives. All students are required to take a comprehensive exam. All students are required to take EDFN 500 – Research Methods within the first 12 hours of their program. Click here to view the full curriculum for this concentration.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Online Master of Arts in Education in Adult Education first need to be admitted to the Graduate College:
Complete the online WKU graduate application at www.wku.edu/graduate. (NOTE: Select "Apply First Time Graduate & Transfer" if you have not taken graduate courses at WKU before. Select "Apply for Graduate Readmission" only if you have previously taken WKU graduate courses.)
Once you have submitted the online application, mail supporting materials, including your official undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts, if applicable, and official GRE scores, if non-exempt (see below) to:
Western Kentucky University
Graduate Studies and Research
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11010
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1010
Questions? Contact Graduate Studies by email at graduate.studies@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-2446.
Approximately 10-14 days after all required admission documents have been submitted, you should receive a letter from the WKU Admissions Office indicating your admission status
1. Applicants with an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher submit a portfolio that will be reviewed by the Adult Education Admission’s committee and used to determine recommendations for admission. Requirements for putting together the portfolio are as follows:
- Four letters of reference from previous instructors, colleagues, or supervisors indicating student's ability to succeed in graduate level courses.
- Two-page philosophy of education addressing the applicant's philosophy toward adult learning, the role of the student, the role of the facilitator, and how best to accomplish this.
- A letter of application that explains why they should be exempt from taking the GRE.
- A five-page paper that demonstrates the applicant's ability to write in a clear and analytical manner. Previous class papers are acceptable.
* 2. Applicants with a previous master’s degree from an accredited university and a graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher submit a portfolio that will be reviewed by the Adult Education Admission committee and used to determine recommendations for admission. Requirements for putting together the portfolio are as follows:
- Four letters of reference from previous instructors, colleagues, or supervisors indicating student's ability to succeed in graduate level courses.
- Two-page philosophy of education addressing the applicant's philosophy toward adult learning, the role of the student, the role of the facilitator, and how best to accomplish this.
- A letter of application that explains why they should be exempt from taking the GRE.
- A five-page paper that demonstrates the applicant's ability to write in a clear and analytical manner. Previous class papers are acceptable
* 3. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average below a 2.75 submit qualifying GAP/GRE-AW* scores and a portfolio that will be reviewed by the Adult Education Admission committee and used to determine recommendations for admission. Requirements for putting together the portfolio can be found on the WKU MAE in Adult Education website. Applicants who choose not to take the GRE or whose GAP/GRE-AW scores do not meet stated program minimums may apply for consideration under the College of Education and Behavior Science’s alternate admissions policy. Please contact the program coordinator for details.
*The qualifying GAP (undergraduate GPA multiplied by GRE V+Q) is 2200 or equivalent, and the qualifying GRE-AW score is 3.5.
Please note: To be eligible for any type of financial aid or a graduate assistantship, you must be admitted in good standing to a degree program. Non-degree seeking students are ineligible for financial aid and graduate assistantships.
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Certain courses may offered on a rotating basis, so please plan your program of study carefully. Contact Dr. Jim Berger, the academic advisor for the program for additional information on course offerings at jim.berger@wku.edu.
Course Descriptions
Course descriptions for all Adult Education (ADED) courses are available at http://www.wku.edu/ealr/aded/courses_descriptions.php.
Department Contact Information
Program Director: Dr. Jim Berger
Email: jim.berger@wku.edu
Phone: (270) 745-3892
Website: http://www.wku.edu/ealr/aded/
