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A Ph.D. in adult education is one of several advanced post-master's degrees you can get in the field. This guide focuses specifically on Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees rather than Ed.S. programs.
Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees validate your advanced subject-matter expertise and may help expand your career options. The U.S. education industry needs the research, communication, and leadership skills developed in adult education doctoral programs.
If you're interested in earning a professional or terminal degree in education, it's important to understand your choices. This page explains the defining features of Ph.D., Ed.D., and Ed.S. programs in adult education and provides a definitive ranking of this year's top doctoral programs.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Doctorates in Adult Education
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
Best Online Doctorates in Adult Education
Ball State University
Muncie, IN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $464
Out-of-State | $696-$1,269
Credits to Graduate: 91
Ball State's online Ed.D. in adult and community education provides professional development for roles including higher education administrator, training program director, and workplace educator. The program focuses on developing skills and conducting research using a social justice framework.
The Ed.D. emphasizes understanding how power issues impact decisions and policies related to race and diversity. The program offers three majors or cognates: higher education, community college leadership, and adult and community education.
Best Online Doctorates in Adult Education
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $536
Out-of-State | $536
Credits to Graduate: 90
Kansas State's adult learning and leadership doctoral program offers a diverse curriculum with more than 25 elective courses, allowing students to tailor their education to their professional goals. Students can complete the program as a Ph.D. or Ed.D., with the Ed.D. option requiring an internship component.
Both the Ph.D. and Ed.D. options are hybrid models. In this instance, that means most courses are online, aside from two on-campus courses during the summer. The curriculum focuses on a human-centered approach to adult learning, with specializations in leadership, teaching and learning, technology, and community development.
Best Online Doctorates in Adult Education
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $475
Out-of-State | $475
Credits to Graduate: 63
NSULA's online Ed.D. in adult learning and development program prepares community college leaders and professionals in adult education and workforce development. Graduates have the skills for leadership roles in community college administration, workforce development, postsecondary education, and academic fields.
The practitioner-focused Ed.D. curriculum offers two concentrations in community college leadership and adult learning and workforce development. Students gain practical skills and knowledge to excel in adult education, leadership, and community college management.
Best Online Doctorates in Adult Education
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $438
Out-of-State | $1,190
Credits to Graduate: 96
The University of Arkansas' Ed.D. in adult and lifelong learning degree prepares students for various career paths in adult education, including roles in community organizations, military education, and postsecondary education. The program offers two cohorts: adult education leadership and community college leadership.
The program, which is 75% online, emphasizes problem-solving and research skills to evaluate the impact of adult and lifelong learning programs on participants. Graduates will have skills in assessing the educational needs of adult learners, designing instructional programs, and demonstrating leadership and management abilities.
Best Online Doctorates in Adult Education
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $293
Out-of-State | $293
Credits to Graduate: 54
The online Ed.D. program at Valdosta focuses on adult learning and development in various contexts, including technical and higher education, workplace training and community development. Students can design their concentration track in a specific area of interest, such as human resource development or higher education leadership.
The program emphasizes theory and practice, focusing on adult learning and development and curriculum design and facilitation. The program can transfer up to nine credit hours earned from a regionally accredited institution beyond the required master's degree.
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Accredited Schools Online uses a custom ranking system to evaluate schools on their quality, affordability, and reputation.
We rank schools using factors like graduation rate, admission rate, tuition costs, financial aid, and program offerings. All our ranked schools hold institutional accreditation.
Learn more about how we create school rankings on our methodology page.
Why Get an Online Doctorate in Adult Education?
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Doctoral credentials are an important indicator of your commitment to professional excellence. -
The breadth and depth of your advanced knowledge can help you make a meaningful and positive difference in learners' lives. -
A doctoral degree in adult education may help you qualify for high-ranking positions in research, academia, private industry, and curriculum or policy development. -
In your career, you'll work to improve education access for the historically underserved adult student segment. -
You might significantly boost your earning potential.
Did You Know...
- Less than half of all U.S. education professionals hold an advanced degree.
- According to Payscale data from March 2024, professionals with Ph.D. degrees in education command average salaries of $91,000 per year.
- Only 35% of adult education participants achieved a measurable skill gain in 2020-21, indicating strong opportunities for experts to improve program effectiveness.
Does Accreditation Matter for Online Doctoral Degrees?
Accreditation is an incredibly important indicator of educational quality. You should only pursue a doctorate in adult education at institutions endorsed by recognized accreditors.
You can research a school's accreditation status through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.
Some Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in education hold optional accreditations from specialized agencies such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Specialized accreditations may indicate strong academic coverage of adult education or exceptional program quality.
Read More
Why is accreditation important?
What To Expect From an Online Ph.D. in Adult Education
Ph.D. programs typically focus on academic theory and research. Coursework emphasizes critical engagement with contemporary education policies and research trends. In general, programs develop the expertise you'll need to build your own educational philosophy.
Credit requirements vary but usually fall in the 48-60 range. Curricula usually comprise a common core shared by all doctorate students, along with concentrated coursework.
Ph.D. degrees typically culminate in a dissertation or an intensive capstone project. Dissertations and capstones might not count toward your degree's overall credit tally and may function as standalone requirements.
Ph.D. programs usually take more time to complete than Ed.D. or Ed.S. programs. You'll likely need about 4-6 years to complete a Ph.D., versus about 2-3 years for an Ed.D. or Ed.S.
Admission Requirements
While admission requirements vary among schools and programs, you'll likely need a master's degree in education or a related field. Some schools offer Ph.D. paths to students with only bachelor's degrees. In such cases, your bachelor's degree will likely need to be in education. You'll also need extensive teaching experience.
If you have not studied adult education at the postsecondary level, you might still qualify for entry to a Ph.D. program. Your admission may be conditional, pending your completion of preparatory or prerequisite course sequences.
Experience as a licensed teacher or professional educator may strengthen your application. You may also need to furnish supplementary materials, including GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and/or faculty recommendations. Some schools include interviews in their admissions processes.
Degree and Specialization Options
First, consider that a Ph.D. in adult education is not your only advanced degree option. You can also pursue an Ed.D. or Ed.S. degree in the field. An Ed.D. is a doctorate focused more on professional best practices than theory and research. Ed.S. degrees are postgraduate professional degrees that emphasize skills development.
Specializations and concentrations are common at the graduate level. Common examples include:
- Curriculum and instruction
- Educational leadership
- Educational technology
Your school might also allow you to design a specialization with faculty approval.
Popular Courses
Adult education graduate programs feature many different courses. The exact classes offered or required by a program may also depend on your specialization, concentration, or area of emphasis.
Even so, Ph.D. in adult education curricula tend to share some classes. Common courses include:
- Contemporary Issues in Adult Education: This course examines obstacles associated with adult education through national, international, and global lenses. You'll learn to anticipate and overcome frequently encountered challenges.
- Human Learning Across the Lifespan: Cognitive development models extend beyond coming-of-age as an adult. This course, rooted in educational psychology, looks at the unique factors at work in the minds of adult learners.
- Program Planning and Evaluation for Adult Learners: In this course, you'll learn to evaluate adult education programs and improve them through strategic planning and curriculum development. The skills you gain may help you become a more effective educational leader.
How Much Will an Online Doctoral Degree in Adult Education Cost?
Program costs depend on many factors, including the institution type and your status as a state resident or nonresident. Some schools offer flat tuition rates to online students, which apply regardless of your residency status.
Here's a breakdown of average graduate school tuition fees from the 2021-2022 school year, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics:
- Overall average: $20,513 per year
- Public institutions: $12,596 per year
- Private for-profit institutions: $14,161 per year
- Private nonprofit institutions: $29,931 per year
Because Ph.D. programs usually take longer to complete than Ed.D. or Ed.S. degrees, they often carry higher overall costs. However, some schools provide funding to their doctoral students. You may also have access to campus-based employment as an instructional assistant for undergraduate students.
If you need further financial aid, consider options like scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Look into federal and private loans last — they create long-term debt, which you're better off avoiding.
What Can You Do with a Doctoral Degree in Adult Education?
You can pursue many rewarding careers with a doctoral degree in adult education. Professionals with doctoral credentials often ascend into senior roles in education administration, working in areas like leadership, curriculum development, and institutional policy. Others go on to secure career placements with public education agencies.
Another path you could follow involves entrepreneurship. By pairing a Ph.D. with extensive experience and professional networking, you could launch a career as an educational consultant. These consultants help schools, businesses, and other organizations develop effective academic programs that improve learning outcomes for adult students.
Some corporations hire chief learning officers. You may be able to pursue this well-paid C-suite role with a doctoral degree in adult education.
Beyond the specific job, your location may affect your earning potential. Educational administrators tend to earn the most in destinations with relatively high costs of living or strong labor market demand.
The following table offers a high-level snapshot of some of the career paths you can follow:
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Learning Officer | $156,340* (April 2024) | +3% |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,620 | +2% |
| Postsecondary Education Administrator | $102,610 | +4% |
| Postsecondary Instructor | $79,870 | +8% |
| Training and Development Manager | $125,040 | +6% |
*denotes average annual salary
Choosing the Right Adult Education Graduate Program
Finding the right doctorate in adult education requires close analysis of multiple factors. Along with essential considerations like program costs, school location, and admission standards, you may also want to evaluate:
- Academic Requirements. Are you interested in performing original research to advance your learning or career goals? Does the program offer appealing opportunities to do so?
- Specializations and Concentrations. If you're interested in a particular concentration or specialization, seek out schools whose doctoral programs support them. You can also find programs that let you design a concentration if none of the default options match your goals.
- School or Program Reputation. Attending a well-regarded school or program with a large or elite alumni network may give your career a boost after graduation.
No matter what factors have the highest priority for you, it's always a good idea to consider and apply to multiple programs. That way, you may have fall-back options if your top choice isn't available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doctorates in Adult Education
What is the best online school to get a doctorate in adult education?
The rankings published here list Ball State University, Kansas State University, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, the University of Arkansas, and Valdosta State University as this year's top options. However, you may well find that other schools or online programs more closely match your academic interests and career goals.
What is the difference between a Ph.D., an Ed.D., and an Ed.S.?
Ph.D. degrees are more research-focused, while Ed.D. degrees cover applied theory and Ed.S. programs build specific educational skills. In a Ph.D. program, you'll need to complete an intensive original research project. Ed.D. programs take a more applied approach, looking at how theory and research function in real-world institutional and classroom settings. Unlike Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees, Ed.S. programs are postgraduate professional degrees.
How long does it take to earn a Ph.D. in adult education?
It depends on the program and your credentials, but most Ph.D. programs in adult education take about 3-6 years to complete. Ed.D. and Ed.S. programs are shorter, usually covering about 2-3 years.
Is an online doctorate recognized by employers?
If your online doctorate was issued by a properly accredited institution, employers and other accredited schools will recognize your credentials. Most schools no longer distinguish between online and campus-based programs in transcripts, diplomas, or other documentation.
Can I do a doctoral degree program without a master's?
Some schools offer doctorate admissions to education students who do not hold relevant master's degrees. In these cases, you'll usually need a bachelor's degree in education, a strong academic track record, and professional experience as an educator. However, a master's degree in education or a related field generally functions as a strongly recommended or required credential.