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Online Doctorate Degree Programs in Adult Education

Earning a doctorate degree in adult education can give you the opportunity to explore--and improve--the latest techniques for adult learning.

Most colleges and universities offer either a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in adult education. According to the National Science Foundation, the Ed.D. is "equivalent in content and level to the Doctor of Philosophy degree." The focus of the two degrees, however, can be very different, so it's important to find the right program for your interests and career goals.

Choosing the right focus for your doctoral degree in adult education

The Ed.D. is a practitioner's degree, which means that it focuses on applying educational theory to enhance both the adult teaching and learning experiences. Specializations can include:

Adult education leadership, administration and policy
Human resources and organizational development
Community college leadership

The Ph.D. in adult education is an academic degree and is generally oriented toward critical analysis of adult education theory and practices. The Ph.D. entails conducting original, independent research to produce new knowledge in the field.

Online adult education doctoral degrees allow students to pursue their doctorate without having to relocate to the school of choice. Most online Ph.D. or Ed.D. programs require students to attend one or more short residency programs on campus that offer an orientation to the program and ongoing professionalization opportunities.

Online graduate seminars often require intensive discussion with classmates via chat rooms or email. For this reason, schools may sometimes require you to move through your online coursework in sync with your classmates, following specific start and end dates for each class. Once you advance to the dissertation phase, you can usually work at your own pace.

Requirements for adult education doctoral degrees

Many doctorate programs in adult education require a master's degree for admission, and some may give preference to candidates who are working in a related field or who have prior experience in the field.

Doctoral degrees in adult education typically have three main components: coursework in both core subjects and electives, comprehensive exams in your areas of expertise, and a doctoral dissertation. Ph.D. dissertations usually offer original education theory or research while Ed.D. dissertations focus on the application of existing theory or research.

Finding the right program for you involves evaluating faculty specializations, course offerings and areas of focus. To learn more about specific online programs in adult education, browse the schools below. You can request additional details from programs that appeal to you.

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