Are you ready to become the person who changes how adults learn?
Whether you work in a community college, government, hospital, or nonprofit, adults look to you to help them grow. This program gives you the research, tools, and networks to do that at the highest level.
At NC State, our fully online Master’s in Adult and Lifelong Education is built for working professionals who don’t want to put their careers on hold to advance them. You’ll graduate with a credential from an R1 research university and the practical skills to lead learning programs that actually work.
Our Master of Adult and Lifelong Education can be customized to meet your needs. We offer a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and a Master of Science (M.S.), depending on whether you want more of focus on practice (M.Ed.) or research (M.S.). Both the M.Ed. and M.S. have three specializations from which to choose:
Why NC State?
- Fits your life. 100% online. Study full-time or part-time. Start in Fall, Spring, or Summer with no waiting a year for the next cohort.
- Built for where you already work. Choose a specialization that matches your career: Teaching Adults, Adult Learning & Change, and Health Professions Education.
- No GRE required. We evaluate your experience, your goals, and your potential, and not a standardized test score.
- A strong return on investment. At around $20,500 total for in-state students, an NC State master’s costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a private university with the research credentials and career outcomes to match. As a fully online program, you will have no relocation costs, no parking fees, and no need to leave the job where you are already building your career.
- Real connections. You’ll network with faculty and a cohort of professionals across industries, building relationships that outlast graduation.
Who should apply?
This degree is for professionals ready to move from delivering learning to leading it. Our students come from backgrounds in:
- Healthcare and Health Professions Education
- Higher Education and Post-Secondary Administration
- Admissions and Student Affairs Professionals
- Academic Advisors and Career Counselors
- Community College Instructors and Aspiring Faculty
- Continuing Education and Workforce Development Coordinators
- Non-Profit and Community-Based Organizations
- Directors of Adult Literacy and ESOL Programs
- Social Enterprise Program Managers (e.g., Goodwill, YMCA)
- Community Outreach and Human Services Practitioners
- Faith-Based Education and Discipleship Directors
- Government Agencies and Public Service
- Workforce Development Specialists (e.g., NCWorks)
- Military Instructors and Training Officers
- Veteran Transition and Support Specialists
- Cooperative Extension Agents and Rural Educators
- Prison Educators
- Adult Basic Education and Literacy
You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. That’s it. We welcome applicants from any field.
What You’ll Learn
You will develop expertise in how adults actually learn and change, and how to design programs, lead organizations, and use technology to support that growth. Core topics include adult learner psychology, instructional design, online teaching, assessment and evaluation, and research methods. By graduation, you will be equipped to design more effective training, advocate for adult learners in your organization, and move into leadership roles with confidence.
Ready to take the next step?
Applications are accepted year-round. Join a virtual information session to meet the faculty and get your questions answered. Information sessions are held monthly on weekday evenings.
Questions? Please reach out directly to Professor and Program Coordinator Chad Hoggan at cdhoggan@ncsu.edu.