The Master of Education in Adult and Professional Learning encompasses a broad field, including many interests and competencies, and is not limited to a single discipline, institution, program, or agency. The overall purpose of this UALR graduate program is to prepare present and future leaders for positions of responsibility in diverse educational contexts.

The field of adult education includes professional education (e.g., engineering, medicine, nursing, law), volunteer training, technical education (e.g., community colleges, vocational schools), adult basic education, and in-service education (e.g., business and industry, government). Graduates of this program find positions as learning facilitators, training and program directors, administrators, and curriculum specialists in programs for adults.

The M.Ed. in Adult and Professional Learning is an intensive professional development experience. Students are self-directed, committed professionals seeking to improve themselves, their work places, their communities, and society. To accomplish this, an individualized program of study is designed with each student, allowing for specific interests, needs, and career goals. This program is designed to meet the needs of professionals in any type of lifelong learning environment who wish to continue their education at the graduate level.

The program may lead to Arkansas teacher licensure or may be tailored to meet other professional needs and goals. For more information, visit the program website.

Admission Requirements

All applicants for both regular and conditional admission statuses must have favorable recommendations from the program coordinator.

Regular Admission

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale), or
• Grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses, or
• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

Conditional Admission

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, a cumulative undergraduate GPA no lower than 2.75, or
• Completion of at least 9 semester hours of graduate coursework at UALR or a graduate program from another regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and no grade lower than a B.

Program Requirements

The Master of Education in Adult and Professional Learning degree requires 36 graduate credit hours, including nine adult education core hours, nine education core hours, nine to twelve adult  education hours, six to nine approved elective hours, and a written comprehensive examination. All core courses must be completed with a grade of B or better.