Program Requirements
The Master of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning is designed to prepare practitioners for instructional and leadership roles. Coursework focuses on the assessment, design and implementation of educational programs for adult learners at all stages of development. Adult and Lifelong Learning practitioners work with specialized groups of adults including those with less than a secondary (high school equivalent) education, adult learners in postsecondary education, participants in educational programs offered by community and nonprofit agencies, and participants in professional education programs.
Graduates of the ADLL M.Ed. program are employed as instructors, coordinators and directors of adult education and lifelong learning programs within adult literacy and general education development, community and nonprofit organizations, Extension education, military education, postsecondary education, continuing professional education programs, and leisure learning. Students pursuing the M.Ed. may also pursue Adult Education licensure in order to serve as adult education instructors at state-approved adult education and literacy programs.
1. Advisor
The student will be assigned an advisor upon admission to the ADLL M.Ed. program. It will be the role of the advisor to assist the student with course selection and informing them about degree requirements. Advisors will be permanent members of the ADLL faculty who hold graduate faculty status level II or higher.
Changing advisors does not require consent of the current advisor; however, it does require consent of the new advisor. Students wishing to change advisors will submit a written request naming the current and new advisor to department staff who will process the change through the Graduate School. Department staff will notify the student once the change has been processed.
Students are expected to communicate with their advisor each semester to discuss progress toward the degree, course selection for forthcoming semesters and issues related to their standing in the ADLL M.Ed. program. Advisors will notify master's students annually of their standing in the ADLL M.Ed. program per the Annual Academic Review policy established by the Graduate School.
2. Program of Study
The Program of Study will include a minimum of 33 hours. Substitutions to the original Program of Study must be approved by the advisor prior to enrollment in any courses not included on the approved Program of Study.
Students may request a minimum of 6 hours of graduate transfer credit to be applied as electives for degree requirements. The student's advisor must approve any requests for graduate transfer credit. Graduate transfer credit must meet the current guidelines established by the University of Arkansas Graduate School and will not be applied to the student's academic record until the student is a candidate for graduation.
The Program of Study should include coursework in the areas of research methods, adult education core, electives and applied project, as established by ADLL faculty. The number of hours and courses applicable to each area are indicated below.
Research (3 hours required) |
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Adult Education Core (15 hours required) |
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Electives (12 hours) |
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Capstone Course (3 hours required) |
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3. Satisfactory Grades
No credit will be awarded toward the ADLL M.Ed. for grades of D or F per the University of Arkansas Graduate School Guidelines. Only grades of A and B may be used to meet licensure requirements.
Master's students must maintain a 2.85 cumulative grade-point average throughout their enrollment in the ADLL M.Ed. program. It is the shared responsibility of the student and the advisor to monitor grades in the program. Should a student's cumulative GPA fall below a 2.85 at any time during enrollment, they will be required to petition ADLL faculty for approval to continue in the program. ADLL faculty may vote to dismiss the student for failure to maintain a 2.85 cumulative GPA.
4. Comprehensive Assessment Processes
Students will complete ADLL M.Ed. comprehensive assessment processes through the Applied Project (ADLL 5223) course. The course may be taken upon successful completion of 24 hours in the program. The course includes two assessment metrics:
- A project focused on an issue or problem in an adult and lifelong learning setting
- Participation in an exit interview
Course Project
The Applied Project course requires students to develop a project focused on an issue or problem related to adult and lifelong learning. The project must follow the guidelines developed by ADLL faculty. Students must earn a score of 80% or higher on the portfolio in order to pass the course and meet ADLL M.Ed. graduation requirements.
Exit Interview
The Applied Project course will also include an exit interview for students. The exit interview will be structured and facilitated by the ADLL faculty member who teaches the course. Exit interview questions will focus on students' perceptions of their ability to apply ADLL M.Ed. content. Students must participate in the entire exit interview process in order to meet course and graduation requirements.
5. Other Policies
Cohort Model and Class Structure
Students admitted to the ADLL M.Ed. program should be members of the cohort until coursework is completed. All courses will be offered via the internet. The Course Rotation page has tentative information.
Adult Education Licensure Option
Students pursuing the ADLL M.Ed. may seek Adult Education Licensure, which prepares them for employment in adult education programs that offer literacy, GED and ESL instruction for adults. Licensure options are available for students who hold a current Arkansas teaching license as well as students who do not hold a current Arkansas teaching license. The licensure option meets requirements for the state of Arkansas only. Students who are residents of other states who are also interested in licensure should contact that state regarding applicable licensure requirements.