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The Master of Education in Adult Education at Yorkville University professionally transforms you to become a recognized expert in adult learning so you can take the next step in your career.
Designed for working professionals involved in adult education, including post-secondary education administration, the online program bridges the gap between theory and practice by encouraging students to reflect critically on their own workplace experiences.
A comprehensive curriculum covers research and proposal writing skills, developing, planning and evaluating educational programs, changes in learning organizations, technological trends in instruction and learning, equity and diversity, and the philosophy and ethics of adult learning.
100 percent Online
January, May, September
2 years or less*
*With full course load, year-round study and/or approved transfer credits. Each applicant is encouraged to contact an Admissions Advisor to determine the potential duration of their degree program according to their unique circumstances. For comprehensive, up-to-date information, please view the Academic Calendar.
Yorkville University offers a Master of Education in Adult Education that is designated in New Brunswick and delivered online
Balance work, home and study demands with a flexible, online course schedule and study at your own pace.
Choose to take courses as your busy life permits and study during the day, evenings or on the weekends.
Earn your degree in as few as two years with a full course load, year-round study or approved transfer credits.
Receive recognition at work and graduate faster compared to traditional on-campus programs.
Professional, doctoral faculty who all have educational experience and are dedicated to helping students achieve their career goals.
Get valuable advice about career advancement and professional networking opportunities.
The rigorous curriculum develops critical thinking skills within the context of adult education, including post-secondary education administration.
Yorkville University programs are aimed at helping you achieve your personal and professional goals. Online or in class, across Canada, Yorkville University’s degrees are flexible, fast paced and above all, lead to transformation through education.
Graduates of the Master of Education in Adult Education program apply their new skills and knowledge to help adults achieve their lifelong learning goals and transform their lives.
A variety of exciting and fulfilling outcomes are available to graduates of this program, in settings such as:
Rima Al Tawil
eL2D2 – eLearning and Leadership
Partner, Design and Development
Karen Stevenson
Toronto Film School Online
Associate Director of Instructional Design
Mary Beswick
University of North Carolina
Talent Acquisition Partner
Barb Colliar-Brown
Portage College
Instructor
Ellyn Lyle, Ph.D.
Dean, Faculty of Education
Sepideh Mahani, Ph.D.
Associate Dean and Chair, Educational Leadership
Rita Kop, Ph.D.
Chair, Adult Education
Dr. Wendy Kraglund-Gauthier, Ph.D.
Capstone Coordinator
Alyson Jenkins, Ph.D.
Andree Robinson-Neal, Ed.D.
Barbara Elliott, Ph.D.
Chris Boulter, Ph.D.
Darryl Bautista, Ph.D.
Deb Clendinneng, Ph.D.
Debra Walker, Ed.D.
Dee Giffen Flaherty, Ph.D.
The rigorous curriculum of the Master of Education in Adult Education includes the following courses:
EDAE 6303 Contexts of Adult Learning
Contexts of Adult Learning introduces students to the contexts of adult education and investigates what it means to be learning in a number of different contexts. The situational aspect of learning will be central to the enquiry and students will take a close look at formal and informal learning, networked learning, experience and game-based learning, community-based learning, learning in communities of practice, and learning in communities of interests. These learning contexts will lead students not only to social movement theory, with a particular focus on the local community, the workplace, the home, the voluntary sector, but also to theories of self-direction and connectivism as might be most obvious in relatively new online learning spaces. Students will explore how the learning and knowledge-generating capacities of such spaces will affect their success.
(3 credits) (required)
EDAE 6323 Foundations of Adult Education
Foundations of Adult Education presents an overview of the major societal purposes of adult education by exploring and examining the conceptual, historical, and philosophical foundations that inform current practices in the field. Students are encouraged to examine the relationship between theory and practice, and to identify their own ideas and practices in relation to these theories and practices.
(3 credits) (required)
EDAE 6343 Program Development and Planning
Program Development and Planning provides a theoretical and conceptual foundation in contemporary approaches to program development and planning for adult learners. Students apply newly‐acquired knowledge and skills in designing a program. Topics include: designing and developing programs; assessing needs; setting learning objectives and outcomes; designing instructional plans; and developing evaluation strategies.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDAE 6353 Evaluation and Assessment in Adult Education
Evaluation in Adult Education examines evaluation theory and practices as they apply to the assessment of adult education programs, student achievement, and learning outcomes. Students have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to design, select and critically assess a variety of assessment/evaluation methods used in contemporary adult education. Students are expected to design an evaluation proposal for an existing adult education program.
(3 credits) (required)
EDAE 6363 Diversity in Adult Education
Diversity in Adult Education addresses how adult education programs understand and respond to different cultural contexts. Through selected readings, weekly discussions, and assignments, students will develop a greater understanding of diversity as a social construction in relation to the concepts of social identity and social location. The specific areas of diversity included in this course are: Identity and Intersectionality; Privilege and Power; Race and Ethnicity; Gender and Sexual Orientation; Indigenous Knowledge; Inclusiveness and Universal Design for Learning; and Globalization and Adult Learning.
(3 credits) (required)
EDAE 6373 Learning and Teaching Online
Learning and Teaching Online explores the theory underlying the development and application of new interactive educational technologies, how they might fit with instructional design, learning and assessment strategies, and infrastructures. The course provides hands-on experience with a range of learning technologies and enables students to explore the processes of designing, implementing, and critiquing technology-based learning. The course will introduce students to current debates around the concept of openness. By the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to act as creative and critical professionals within the broad field of technology-based learning, teaching, and training.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDAE 6383 Transformative Learning in Adult Education
Transformative Learning in Adult Education involves an examination of transformative learning. This course will help students to understand what transformative learning is, distinguish it from other forms of learning, and foster it in their practice. The course will cover five broad areas: history; theory; research; practice; and future perspectives of transformative learning.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDAE 6513 Becoming a Critically Reflective Educator
This course involves the examination of a variety of teaching and facilitating approaches that enhance the adult learning experience in individual or group settings. Topics include: teaching styles; creating motivating learning environments; ethical concerns in teaching adults; guidelines for selecting teaching methods; the use of technologies for teaching; and the assessment of teaching performance.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDAE 6523 Adult Education for Sustainability and Global Citizenship
Adult Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to integrate with depth and creativity the principles of sustainability and global consciousness into classrooms, colleges, community contexts. Students will explore sustainable development and global citizenship to understand their alignment with adult education theory and practice, in particular affective and dialogic learning, inclusivity, and systemic thinking.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDAE 6533 Coaching and Mentoring in Adult Education
Coaching and Mentoring in Adult Education will introduce students to coaching and mentoring strategies that they can utilise in their workplaces. Students will learn about the underlying theory as well as explore current models. They will also be encouraged to reflect on what coaching and mentoring strategies may work best for them and their organisation. This course will aid students in helping others toward continuous professional development.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDUC 6003 Indigenous Perspectives in Canadian Education
Indigenous Perspectives in Canadian Education introduces students to the history of Indigenous education in Canada, Indigenous pedagogies and epistemologies, decolonization in education, while encouraging students to think about their own roles in reconciliation through the lens of education. Through selected readings, weekly discussions, and assignments, students will develop a greater understanding of the traditional, historical, and contemporary roles of education in the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Because the course readings include studies that draw upon Indigenous or Indigenous-informed methodologies, students will also be introduced to some ways that Indigenous methodologies are used in educational research.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDUC 6013 Research in Education
Research in Education familiarizes students with methods of educational research. Its primary focus is to help them understand both quantitative and qualitative research and to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to read, understand, and critically evaluate published research. Mixed methods and critical approaches are also explored. Research methods, information gathering strategies, and analysis procedures are examined. Students will begin to think about possible topics for their capstone projects.
(3 credits) (core)
EDUC 6023 Proposal Writing in Education
Proposal Writing in Education provides students with an opportunity to conceptualize research, and to develop program or project proposals. Emphasis is placed on the development of practical skills, particularly in articulating a research question, reviewing current knowledge in the field, constructing a research design, and establishing the significance of anticipated findings. By the end of the course, each student will have a completed proposal to guide the Major Academic Report or Action Research Project activities.
(3 credits) (core prerequisite for capstone) (prerequisite EDUC 6013 Research and Education)
EDUC 6033 Action Research
Action Research provides students with an in-depth study of the action-oriented ways teachers and educational leaders can systematically examine their own practices. Emphasis is placed on developing skills related to research focus, project design, information gathering, and interpretation. This course is grounded in reflective practice.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDUC 6043 Learning and Organizations
Learning and Organizations provides an opportunity for students to examine the emergence of the learning organization and explore ways to build sustainable learning dynamics and foster spaces where people flourish. Attention will be given to the ways knowledge management and technology help organizations become learning organizations.
(3 credits) ( elective)
EDUC 6053 Contemporary Issues in Education
Contemporary Issues in Education is a directed studies course that allows students to explore a specific area of interest relevant in his/her field but not covered in the required, core, or elective courses in the program. Topics can range greatly but may include: professionalization and credentialing; the responsibility of the field to address such matters as race, gender, and sexual preference; the position of educational professionals in relation to contemporary political actions or positions; and the influence of different levels of government in education policies and practices. Students must apply for this course and acceptance will depend on their demonstrated capacity to be successful in independent research as well as availability of faculty to support the directed studies.
(3 credits) (elective)
EDUC 6123 Reflexive Inquiry
Reflexive Inquiry provides students with grounding in critical reflexive practices that are integral to ongoing self- directed professional development. Honouring foundational principles of leadership and learning, this course centres on the intersection and dynamic relationship between theory and practice.
Students must also complete either EDUC 7016 Major Academic Report or EDUC 7026 Action Research Project as the capstone course. Eligible students (i.e., those who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and who have successfully completed all core courses) may start work on EDUC 7016 or EDUC 7026 in Year II, Trimester 2.
(3 credits) (core)
EDAE 6303 Contexts of Adult Learning
Contexts of Learning introduces students to the contexts of adult education and investigates what it means to be learning in a number of different contexts. The situational aspect of learning will be central to the enquiry and students will take a close look at formal, informal and open learning, networked learning, experiential, simulation, and place-based learning, community-based learning, learning in communities of practice and learning in communities of interests. These learning contexts will lead students not only to social learning theory, with a particular focus on the local community, the workplace, the home, the voluntary sector, but also to theories of self-direction and connectivism as might be most obvious in relatively new online learning spaces. Students will explore how the learning and knowledge-generating capacities of such spaces will affect their success.
(3 credits) (required)
EDUC 7016 Major Academic Report
The Major Academic Report fulfills the graduation requirement for independent scholarly work. Students discuss and critique research relevant to an area of professional interest, as well as explore related possibilities for practice. The topic must be approved by the Office of the Dean of Education and the paper will be completed under the supervision of a qualified faculty member. After the topic is approved, and a proposal is developed with supervisory support, the proposal is submitted to the Capstone Coordinator and approvals to proceed must be received before the student begins inquiry activities. Both the proposal and final paper ought to include a description of the inquiry, the context or setting of the research, a theoretical framework (this includes methodology, theoretical perspectives relevant to research interest, methods, and researcher’s role), and a discussion of ethics. Additionally, the proposal should outline a 15-week work schedule. The final paper must be read and approved by both the supervising faculty member and a second reader. Additional details of the major academic report are available from the Office of the Dean of Education.
(6 credits) (independent study) (elective required alternative) (pre‐requisite: eligible students are those who have completed their coursework, are in good academic standing, and are in good standing with the University Bursar.
EDUC 7026 Action Research Project
The Action Research Project provides students with an opportunity to design and develop a project that is theoretically grounded and practically focused. The project fulfills the graduation requirement for independent scholarly work. The student conducts an action research project within his or her work context, using a basic four-phase model: planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. A written proposal is to be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Education before students begin their inquiry activities. This proposal must clearly state the research question, describe the setting, introduce major theoretical areas to be considered, outline the planned activities, address ethical due diligence, and detail plans to share findings. Additionally, the proposal should outline a 15-week work schedule. The final paper must be read and approved by both the supervising faculty member and a second reader. Additional details of the action research project are available from the Office of the Dean of Education.
(6 credits) (independent study) (elective required alternative) (pre‐requisite: eligible students are those who have completed their coursework, are in good academic standing, and are in good standing with the University Bursar.
The Master of Education in Adult Education provides opportunities for students to reflect on their personal work, and for a community of learners to develop within each cohort. The sequence of the program allows students to integrate their current knowledge with the new knowledge introduced to them. Students who successfully complete the Master of Education program in Adult Education demonstrate the following competencies
Knowledge
Learning out comes and criteria in this competency domain foster the development of theoretically grounded and practical understandings of adult education through engagement with specific subject matter and its application to both well-defined and indeterminate problem situations. Graduates are prepared to:
Applied Educational Research
Learning out comes and criteria in this competency domain foster an understanding of the manner in which knowledge is continuously created through systematic research and inquiry.
Graduates areprepared to:
Communication
Learning outcomes and criteria in this competency domain reflect abilities to listen attentively and speak/write articulately about complex concepts.
Graduates are prepared to:
Reflexive Capacity and Continuing Professional Development
Learning outcomes and criteria in this competency domain reflect abilities to develop reflexive capacity through examining literature and their professional contexts to develop proficiency and agency in their continued professional development.
Graduates are prepared to:
Yorkville University’s Master of Education program is 100 percent online.
The Master of Education online degree is administratively offered by our Fredericton campus.
Applicants to the Master of Education program are required to provide the following:
*All official transcripts need to be sealed, stamped and sent directly from the issuing institution to our Admissions Services Department for evaluation.
In addition, applicants are required to have:
Applicants who do not meet the standard admissions requirements may be considered for admission under the Faculty of Education’s Flexible Admissions Policy. Yorkville University reserves the right to refuse admission or ask admitted students to withdraw from the program in special circumstances.
For full details of admissions requirements, please contact an Admissions Advisor.
English Language Requirements
English is the primary language of instruction at Yorkville University.
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a language of instruction other than English must prove proficiency in one of the following ways:
Have any questions? Please contact an Admissions Advisor.
The total cost for the Master of Education in Adult Education program is $26,820.*
The academic year of the Master of Education program is comprised of three academic terms of 15 weeks in length each, beginning in September, January and May. Students must complete 36 credits of coursework to graduate from the Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program. A typical course is three credits.
Total program tuition may vary based on actual credit transfers and course equivalencies. Below are sample calculations depending on the number of courses taken per term.
Terms | Credits | Credits Per Hour | Fees |
---|---|---|---|
One | 6 | $745 | $4470 |
Two | 6 | $745 | $4470 |
Three | 6 | $745 | $4470 |
Four | 6 | $745 | $4470 |
Five | 6 | $745 | $4470 |
Capstone Project | 6 | $745 | $4470 |
*As of 2019 – 2020. Tuition and fees subject to change.
Tuition Fees
Arrangements for payment of tuition must be made at least two weeks prior to the start of each term (please see the Academic Schedule for deadlines). Monthly payment arrangements can also be made. Please contact our Bursar’s Office for more details at 1-888-886-1882.
Other Fees
Please note that costs do not include other fees such as textbooks, expendable supplies, equipment and resource fees. All fees and charges are quoted in Canadian dollars (CAD). Yorkville University also accepts equivalent payment in other currencies.
For further information about tuition, fees and payment methods, please contact Yorkville University’s Bursar’s Office. Tuition rates are confirmed three months prior to the start of each term. Changes to tuition rates will be announced at least three months prior to the start of the term to which they apply. Current tuition rates are available on the Yorkville University website or from the Bursar’s Office at 1-888-886-1882.
Yorkville University provides a limited number of scholarships and bursaries to qualified students.
Learn MoreYorkville University is committed to helping students find affordable solutions to finance their education investment.
Learn MoreLearn more about Yorkville University’s partnerships and how they can save you money and help you graduate faster.
Previous students of select colleges have the opportunity to transfer credits towards Yorkville University’s programs and graduate faster.
Learn MoreSpecial tuition bursaries and military training credit transfer options are offered to current and former Canadian Forces members and their families.
Learn More1. Why should I choose the MEd in Adult Education program?
The online master’s degree program helps you advance your career in the training or teaching of adult learners, whether in the public, private or non-profit sectors, by equipping you with new professional skills and knowledge.
Despite being a fully online program, small class sizes and group learning modules promote interaction with professional peers and experienced faculty who understand education.
If you are looking to advance your career while studying from home or at work, the online degree can be completed in two years or less with approved transfer credits.
2. What is the difference between the MEd in Adult Learning and the MEd in Educational Leadership programs?
The MEd in Adult Learning focuses on the theory and practice of instructing and learning for adult learners in a variety of work environments. Graduates earn credit towards the certification requirements of the Institute of Performance and Learning.
The MEd in Educational Leadership focuses on leadership and driving initiatives in educational organizations, including K-12 education and non-school-based learning environments.
3. How much does the MEd in Adult Learning cost?
Please see here for current tuition rates. Yorkville University is committed to helping you evaluate different financial aid options and payment schedules. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.
4. How much time will I need to dedicate to each course?
Students can expect to dedicate approximately 16 to 20 hours per week to successfully complete the requirements for each academic course.
5. What is the application process for the MEd in Adult Education program?
Please see here for more information or contact an Admissions Advisor if you have further questions.
6. What are the demographics of the classes?
Most participants in the MEd in Adult Learning program are aged 30 to 45 years old and have significant professional experience in training and teaching of adult learners in a wide variety of workplace contexts. A small average class size of 20 students fosters participation and teamwork.
7. Is Yorkville approved to offer the MEd degree?
Yorkville University is a degree-granting institution in New Brunswick, Canada, and offers online and on-campus courses across the country. Yorkville University has been approved to offer the Master of Education degree by the Government of New Brunswick.
8. What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need to be accepted?
For more information on the minimum English language requirements, please contact an Admissions Advisor.
9. Does Yorkville University offer any scholarships?
Yorkville University is committed to helping you evaluate different financial aid options and payment schedules. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.
10. Can I apply for Canadian provincial student loans?
Only domestic students can apply to Canadian provincial student loan programs such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) or StudentAid BC.
Yorkville University is committed to helping you evaluate different financial aid options and payment schedules. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.
11. What if I have more questions?
If you can’t find your questions addressed on this web page, please contact an Admissions Advisor if you have additional questions.
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