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College of Education
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Adult & Lifelong Learning Degree and Certificate Options

The Adult & Lifelong Learning graduate degrees and certificate are highly applicable, practical and flexible for your career needs. Our graduates work in state, national or international higher education, business and industry, healthcare, K-12, non-governmental/community organizations, pastoral care, military, and more.
The Master’s degrees and graduate certificate are offered fully online and allow for learner autonomy as well as opportunities to connect with students, faculty members and professional networks. The Ph.D. concentration in Adult & Lifelong Education offers students a chance for depth of study and expertise building in niche areas across the field. You can begin your studies at anytime – we offer rolling monthly admissions for the M.Ed., M.S. and Graduate certificate.

Explore our options in Adult & Lifelong Learning:

Training and development

Why study Adult & Lifelong Learning at NC State

Adult & Lifelong Learning faculty examples of research and engagement include:

— Adult learners and facilitating adult teaching, learning, instructional design, program planning and assessment
— Continuing Education, Continuing Professional Education, and facilitating support of adult learners in — postsecondary environments
— Research and teaching on futures literacy and adult learning
— Research and teaching on civic education, transformative learning, international comparative adult & — postsecondary education
— Health professions education
— Training & Development, evaluation and assessment of training programs, and workplace learning

Why Study Adult & Lifelong Learning at NC State

100% online

Complete your degree or certificate all online

Best practices

Integrate the best of established adult and lifelong education topics with emerging
professional fields

Strong ROI

Study at a nationally top-ranked college of education and at the university that tops N.C. in value

Through our Adult & Lifelong Learning program, you will . . . 

Become skilled

in understanding what motivates and transforms adult learners to reach their goals

Develop expertise

in collaborative, experiential, organizational and group learning

Build capacities

in face-to-face and technology-based learning environments that bring out the best in adult learners

Gain competencies

to help adult learners navigate ongoing personal, professional, health/well-being and societal changes

In one of these professions? Consider a degree in Adult & Lifelong Learning.

  • Nonprofit directors, learning officers
  • International education organizations 
  • Social workers in educational settings
  • Health professions (practicing and clinical)
  • Hospital training/learning and assessment departments; IPE centers
  • Workplace instructional designers, training directors, HR 
  • Student services for adult learners, veterans, and advising nontraditional populations
  • K-12 professional development of teachers
  • Community college faculty (Academic, Continuing Ed, Allied Health, Prison Education, Basic Skills)

dig deeper into in Adult & Lifelong learning

Master of Education in Adult Community College Education

Designed for entry level or experienced professionals, this program offers three specializations in Adult and Continuing Professional Education, Community College Teaching and Health Professions Education.

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Master of Education in Training Development

This program is designed for individuals responsible for employee and workforce development and for those interested in instructional design, internal training and development, consulting, e-learning or other training roles.

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Graduate Certificate in Teaching, Training, and Educational Technology

With six specialization options, this certificate is designed for mid-career individuals who may be without academic preparation for their current positions, or for those choosing to increase their knowledge for future job opportunities.

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Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development: Adult and Lifelong Education Concentration

This Ph.D. concentration is unique in its emphasis on serving the spectrum of both formal and informal adult learning organizations, and its inclusion of administrative, instructional and technology-related leadership within a practitioner preparation program.

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