Adult education professionals teach and train adult learners. Adult educators typically work in vocational school, colleges, universities. However, they can also work in corporate settings, adult high schools, university extension programs, and even prisons.

Adult Education Teachers: Colleges and universities typically require their instructors to have atleast a master's degree with field related job experience. Professors typically hold a doctorate in the subject they teach. Vocational schools require work experience in the specific field and recognition in the field through certification or licensure. Vocational instructors can stay competitive in the job market by having bachelor's and master's degrees. Whatever teaching career they choose, educators also need to stay current on developments, trends and techniques in their field.

Higher Education Administrators: Colleges and universities have an abundance of opportunities in education administration. Positions include provosts, deans, directors, and chairpersons working in academic departments, admissions, student services, athletics, couseling, and more. College and university academic deans and chairpersons usually advance from professorships in their departments, for which they need a master’s or doctoral degree; further education is not typically necessary. Admissions, student affairs, and financial aid directors and registrars sometimes start in related staff jobs with bachelor’s degrees—any field usually is acceptable—and obtain advanced degrees in college student affairs, counseling, or higher education administration. A Ph.D. or Ed.D. usually is necessary for top student affairs positions.

Corporate Training Specialists: Training and development managers and specialists conduct and supervise training and development programs for employees. They can work for a company which trains its employees or for an outside firm as consultants. Planning and program development is an essential part of the training specialist’s job. In order to identify and assess training needs within a firm, trainers may confer with managers and supervisors or conduct surveys. They also evaluate training effectiveness to ensure that the training employees receive helps the organization meet its strategic business goals and achieve results. A bachelor's degree and related work experience are usually required. A degree in adult education is an excellent option for preparation in this field.

Salaries in Adult Education and Higher Education:
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007)

Education / Postsecondary and Adult Education - Master of Science
This online master's specialization is designed to provide you the tools you need to design, deliver and manage effective instruction programs for adults in a variety of settings, including online education, workforce development, continuing education, higher education, and military education. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing postsecondary faculty, corporate training, or adult education positions in the fields of higher education, business, and nonprofit or community education.

Education / Postsecondary and Adult Education - Doctor of Philosophy
The PhD curriculum focuses on theories of adult learning and distance education, critical analysis and research skills, best practices in postsecondary adult instruction, and application of theory and research to develop effective learning environments for individuals from a variety of backgrounds. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing postsecondary faculty positions or education leadership positions in a variety of adult learning settings, including higher education institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the military.