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Home >> Degrees >> Education & Teaching >> Adult and Vocational Education

Adult & Vocational Education Degree Overview

Adult Education offers adult instruction through �extension� or �continuing� education classes and is often referred to as �training and development.� Adult learners are offered the opportunity to learn new skills or to learn for personal growth and development.Educators teach a wide range of classes relating to professional advancement, self-improvement, and the learning of new hobbies and skills.Examples of Adult Education classes include yoga, foreign language, computer education, remedial reading and writing, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

Vocational Education differs from Adult Education in that classes are usually taught in the workplace and are mostly related to teaching new skills appropriate to the student�s current job.Vocational Education prepares students for careers that are non-academic in nature and that are related to specific trades, occupations or vocations.The learner receives instruction in particular techniques or technology, often related to a specific trade.Vocational Education is related to the apprenticeship system of learning and may be taught at the secondary or postsecondary level (often at local community colleges).

Education, Training & Degrees

Adult Educators serve as teachers and motivators.The qualifications needed are dependent upon the classes taught.Some classes such as remedial academic subjects may require that the instructor have a Master�s degree and an Adult Education credential.Other classes where new skills and activities are taught may require that the teacher have a Bachelor�s degree, an Associate�s degree or professional certification.Above all, Adult Education teachers need to be skilled and knowledgeable in their fields of interest.

Vocational educators have many of the same responsibilities that other college and university faculty members have. Instructors play a key role in helping students transition from school to work by helping establish internship programs and by initiating contact between students and employers. The educational requirements for Vocational Education teachers vary by state and by the trade being taught.Generally, educators need a Bachelor�s or Master�s degree, plus several years of work in their field.In some instances, special licensing or certification is required.

Career Opportunities

As more and more people seek ways to add interest to their adult lives, the demand for Adult Education classes will increase.When many of the baby boomers retire, they will be looking for opportunities for self-enrichment and life-long learning.There are many opportunities for full-time and part-time teachers in fields such as painting, cooking, dancing, computer education, adult literacy and athletics.Many Adult Education programs are run by federal, state and local governments and others are run by local churches and volunteer groups.

With a rising number of immigrants in the work force, there will be an increased need for adult literacy and ESL classes.ESL teachers will be most needed in states with a large number of immigrants such as California, Texas, Florida and New York (and many states in the Midwest).

As the labor market becomes more specialized and employers demand higher levels of skill, the need for Vocational Education classes will increase.Governments and businesses are subsidizing apprenticeship and training programs for many businesses.If you have special interests you'd like to pursue, find out how you can become an Adult Education teacher!