Adult Education Program FAQs
General Program
→ How long will it take to complete the online Master of Adult and Continuing Education
degree?
→ How long are the online courses?
→ Is the K-State Master of Adult and Continuing Education degree program accredited?
→ Are there particular class times when I must be online for the courses or may I work
on my own schedule?
→ How much time should I expect to spend on course work?
→ Can I take time off from my coursework once I enter the program?
→ Will I have time to work a full-time job and take the normal amount of classes?
→ How will a degree in Adult and Continuing Education benefit my career?
→ Are there any unique qualities about the faculty of this program as compared to other graduate
programs?
→ Does the adult education program focus on one portion of the industry such as adult basic education
and literacy, corporate training, faculty development, continuing education for a profession or adult
education ministry?
→ What characteristics distinguish the Adult and Continuing Education online graduate program at
K-State from others in the field?
→ How many students have graduated from the Adult and Continuing Education Master’s degree at K-State?
Courses
→ What are the required courses?
→ Where do I look to find the current online course schedule?
→ What are the options to complete the 15 credit hours of electives?
→ What are the elective courses?
→ What are certificate programs?
→ Can I complete all of the coursework from my home, or is time required on campus?
→ How much time should I expect to spend on course work?
→ Are there resources for open communication with my classmates and teachers?
Admissions
→ See the Admissions FAQs page
Financial
→ What is the cost for the program?
→ Does the tuition rate change depending on in-state or out-of-state residency?
→ Do I have to pay for the course when I enroll?
→ Are there any scholarships available for students enrolled this program?
Technology
→ What is the online format for the courses?
→ Are there any specific computer programs I must have knowledge of to be successful as a student?
How long will it take to complete the Master of Adult and Continuing Education degree online?
The required courses courses are offered online consecutively over a one year period. Students may start the degree program at the beginning of any new course and complete the cycle. As long as students stay consecutively enrolled in the courses, they will complete the degree in two years. If a required course is missed in the cycle, a student may have to wait until that course is offered again. This may delay completion by a year or two.
Some courses have pre-requisites, so students and their advisor will need to address any out of sequence issues. While it is recommended that students complete EDACE 780: Introduction to Adult Education prior to other courses in the program, students who are unable to start with that course will be required to complete a reading module prior to their first course in the program. Access to the reading modules may be obtained from Dr. Collins or Dr. Zacharakis.
How long are the online courses?
Each of the Adult Education courses will be eight weeks in length. Elective courses from other departments or programs will vary in length.
Is the K-State Master of Adult and Continuing Education degree program accredited?
Yes. Kansas State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Are there particular class times when I must be online for the courses or may I work on my own schedule?
At least 90% of all courses are conducted asynchronous, which means you can work at your convenience to complete the modules on a weekly basis. It makes no difference when you participate: early in the morning or late at night, in any time zone. However, deadlines are posted according to the Central Time Zone. Some courses may have synchronous sessions where a group of students will be online at the same time. Instructors also hold virtual office hours at specified times.
How much time should I expect to spend on course work?
The workload in the Adult and Continuing Education degree program is comparable to graduate-level courses offered in traditional classroom-based programs. Most students spend 12 to 15 hours per week on each course.
Can I take time off from my coursework once I enter the program?
The program is flexible and allows for students to skip a course in the sequence; however, students need to understand that required courses are offered only once a year.
Will I have time to work a full-time job and take the normal amount of classes?
The Master in Adult and Continuing Education program has over its 25 year history offered courses in order to accommodate students working full-time and taking courses in the evening and weekends. The program has an excellent history of serving working adults. As a matter of fact, the program prefers students have fulltime work experience to bring to the course discussions as well as ways to apply the newly learned theories and skills.
How will a degree in Adult and Continuing Education benefit my career?
Graduates from the program have found the degree program very beneficial to their career and work life. Students continually comment on the applicability of the courses to their work life. They also have been able to gain promotions and be more competitive for pay increases because of the master’s degree. A graduate of the program wrote back a month after graduating: “I am really excited about the immediate future and how much the Adult and Continuing Education program is really helping me. If you would have asked me if I thought I would benefit from this degree as much as I am and as soon as I am, I would have been inclined to say “only somewhat.” Exciting barely captures how I feel. I am truly appreciative of the Adult and Continuing Education program at K-State and wanted to say thanks.”
Are there any unique qualities about the faculty of this program as compared to other graduate programs?
The adult and continuing education faculty are committed to working with adult students. They expect a high level of performance from the students while being flexible and pragmatic to accommodate the adult student’s busy schedule of life’s responsibilities. The Master’s degree program was developed by the faculty with the practitioner in mind. All of them are academicians with professional field experience and are passionate about sharing their experiences with others. All faculty have a doctoral degree.
Does the adult education program focus on one portion of the industry such as adult basic education and literacy, corporate training, faculty development, continuing education for a profession or adult education ministry?
No. The faculty are experienced with a diverse population of learners in the face-to-face program and can assist any learner in applying the theories to their area. The required courses are the same for every graduate in the master’s program. Advisors will work with students to find elective courses that interest them and apply to their career. This program is designed to be flexible and meet the needs of the students.
What characteristics distinguish the Adult and Continuing Education online graduate program at K-State from others in the field?
The Adult and Continuing Education faculty at K-State have a long history of working with a variety of adult educators from various professions, such as adult basic education and literacy, continuing education administrators and instructors, community college faculty and administrators, administrators and faculty of adult degree completion programs, human resources personnel, corporate training administrators and trainers, military, and nurses. The courses are flexible to allow participants to focus on their specific profession or expand their skills to other areas of adult education. The faculty are committed to assisting students in tailoring the program to meet their specific needs. The required courses are the same for every graduate in the master’s program. Advisors will work with students to find elective courses that interest them and apply to their careers.
How many students have graduated from the Adult and Continuing Education Master’s degree at K-State?
The Master's degree in Adult and Continuing Education has been offered at K-State over 25 years and we have more than 1,000 graduates.
Will the distance education classes I take appear differently on a transcript than regular on-campus classes?
Distance classes do not have special distinction on your transcript.
What are the required courses?
There are 18 of the 33 credit hours that are required in this degree program. Every student graduating with the Master’s degree in Adult and Continuing Education must complete:
→ EDACE 780: Introduction to Adult Education (3 credit hours)
→ EDACE 790: Characteristics of the Adult Learner (3 credit hours)
→ EDACE 830: Program Planning in Adult Education (3 credit hours)
→ EDACE 818: Social Foundations of Adult Education (3 credit hours)
→ EDACE 847: Adult Learning and Motivation (3 credit hours)
→ EDCEP 816: Research Methods (3 credit hours)
Where do I look to find the current online course schedule?
The current schedule of courses can be found on the Adult Education Blog.
What are the options to complete the 15 credit hours of electives?
Students may complete the online elective courses offered through the adult education program or they may pursue a certificate program in another area. Most of the graduate certificates are offered online. For instance, many of the adult education master’s students have completed the Academic Advising Certificate program to satisfy their elective credits. For a complete listing of graduate certificate programs at K-State, please visit the K-State Division of Continuing Education Certificate Programs page.
What are the online elective courses?
In the online adult education program, there are 15 credit hours of electives:
→ EDACE 886: Quality Programs and Staff Management
→ EDACE 820: Principles of Teaching Adults
→ EDACE 886: Developing Teams and Leaders in Adult Education
→ EDACE 886: Teaching Online in Adult Education
→ EDACE 937: Organization and Administration of Adult Education
New electives are developed annually. Check the current course schedule for specific offerings. If students are not interested in these courses, K-State offers graduate level certificate programs online. These programs are available to students who wish to specialize in a certain area such as gerontology, conflict management, or academic advising. Review the entire list of graduate certificate programs available. Students will have to follow the guidelines of the certificate program selected.
What are certificate programs?
Graduate certificate programs are usually 15 credits in length and give professionals another option to specialize in a certain topic area. Through the Division of Continuing Education, K-State offers a variety of graduate certificate programs. For most graduate certificate programs, students must be admitted to the certificate program in order to pursue the courses, even if they are already admitted to the adult education master’s degree program. Certificate program courses may have pre-requisites, and students are required to follow policies of the certificate program.
Can I complete all of the coursework from my home, or is time required on campus?
All coursework in the through this Adult Education track are completed online. For the online courses, there is no requirement to personally come to campus unless you would like to participate in graduation or attend a special event. We also have a face-to-face program for students in the Kansas City area. The course content is the same, so students could mix the two programs if that is convenient for them.
You need a computer that can connect to the Internet with specific browser requirements. The K-State Online Readiness Test will help you determine if your computer has the optimal configuration for taking online classes.
I have never taken an online course. What can I expect in terms of research and writing with this program?
In familiarizing yourself with the online format, students should also explore the K-State Library online services. You have access to databases, online journals, as well as interlibrary loan. Essays and papers are a requirement throughout the program. One of the learning outcomes for the program is to develop your communication skills.
Are there online resources for open communication with my classmates and teachers?
Each course has a “Student Lounge” on the Message Board (within K-State Online) where students communicate with each other and the instructor about matters not necessary pertaining to the course. This is a great place to network with colleagues from across the nation. Students also have access to the student directory in order to contact any student or faculty member via email or phone.
What is the cost for the program?
Tuition is set by the Kansas Board of Regents each academic year (Fall-Summer). Tuition/fees may change at the beginning of each academic year. For more on payment information, see the Division of Continuing Education's Tuition web page.
Does the tuition rate change depending on in-state or out-of-state residency?
No, the cost is the same for everyone. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay the continuing education tuition rate.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is available for the master's degree program. For information on scholarships designated for Distance Education students, see the Division of Continuing Education's Financial Aid web page. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for additional opportunities. Applying for financial assistance almost always begins with completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Do I have to pay for the course when I enroll?
No, you are billed through the K-State Cashier's Office. You will be sent notification through your K-State e-mail account that your E-bill is available for viewing. For more on payment information, see the Division of Continuing Education's Payment Information web page. You can also log into iSIS, K-State's Student Information System, to see your account summary. Step-by-step instructions on how to access your E-bill are available at the iSIS Help page.
Are there any scholarships available for students enrolled this program?
There are no scholarships specific to the adult and continuing education program, but you can check out scholarships that may be available through the Division of Continuing Education and K-State on the Financial Aid page.
What is the online format for the courses?
All courses are conducted online via Kansas State University’s course management system, entitled K-State Online. Some courses incorporate Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs and wikis, which are not housed on K-State Online; however, the instructors set up the sites and provide links within the course. The primary components of each include a discussion board (message board in K-State Online), reading assignments from assigned textbooks and articles, group assignments with collaboration space provided within K-State Online or through a Wiki, and written assignments.
Are there any specific computer programs I must have knowledge of to be successful as an online student?
You need a computer that can connect to the Internet with specific browser requirements. The K-State Online Readiness Test will help you determine if your computer has the optimal configuration for taking online classes. At this time, mobile broadband is sufficient for browsing the internet but it is not reliable for streaming video and/or large file downloads. If your course uses streaming video or large file downloads, you should be prepared to use an alternate high speed internet service. For more specific information, please see the Course Technology page.