Academics
Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Adult Education, M.S.
About the Program
The master of science in adult education program prepares professionals for careers in adult education and human resource development. Community agencies employ adult educators to conduct literacy, personal development, and workforce-preparation programs. Similarly, businesses employ human resource development professionals to train new workers and retrain experienced workers. Graduates of the program are also well prepared for doctoral programs in adult education. This program does not lead to teaching certification.
The master’s program is offered both on the Buffalo State campus and through web-based courses.
About the Adult Education Department
306 Bacon Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-4303
Fax:
www.buffalostate.edu/adulteducation
Contact Faculty and Staff in the Adult Education Department
Admission Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale), or a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
2. Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree but do not meet either of the above criteria may be admitted if they attain a minimum combined quantitative/verbal score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), attain a minimum score of 45 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or complete 6 credit hours of 500-level coursework at the college as an accepted premajor student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
3. A letter describing the applicant’s interest in the field and experience with teaching or administering adult programs.
In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program (PDF)
section in the Graduate Catalog.
Application Deadline: Applicants must apply by July 1 for fall admission or by December 1 for spring admission. No applications are accepted for summer admission.
Graduation Requirements:
A minimum of 30 credit hours, including 12 hours in an elective field specialization, selected under advisement. The 12-credit field specialization is developed by each student and his or her academic adviser to incorporate courses from related academic disciplines. The use of courses from related disciplines greatly enriches the ability of the program to meet the needs and goals of individual students; more than 30 departments currently offer graduate courses at Buffalo State. Examples of field specializations include administration, linguistics, literacy, English as a second language, job development, workplace learning and staff development, vocational education, counseling, human resources development, student personnel administration, multiculturalism, creativity, exceptionality, educational foundations, criminal justice, health and wellness, educational computing, and business. The field specialization could also include an internship for those students with minimal adult education experience.
Students also must complete either a written comprehensive examination or a
master’s project.
Program Requirements
Required Courses 18 credits
ADE 600 Adulthood and Development
ADE 605 Historical, Social, and Philosophical Foundations of Adult Education
ADE 608 Instructional Design
ADE 610 Methods of Adult Education
ADE 655 Diversity in Adult Education and Training
ADE 689 Methods of Educational Research
Elective Field Specialization Courses 12 credits
Select one option:
Four content courses plus comprehensive examination
or
Three content courses plus ADE 690 Master’s Project
Total Required Credit Hours 30 credits
All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.
