Master of Science in Adult Learning and Leadership
Lead adults. Design learning that works. Make an impact, wherever your career takes you.
In today’s fast‑changing workplaces and communities, effective learning and leadership are inseparable. The Master of Science in Adult Learning and Leadership at Kansas State University prepares working professionals to design meaningful learning experiences, lead people through change and apply research‑based principles of adult learning in real‑world settings.
This fully online, flexible program is designed for adults who are already leading, training, teaching, coaching or managing — and want to do it better, with intention, confidence and impact.
REQUEST TO SPEAK WITH THE ADULT LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM COORDINATORhttps://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBEQG1kp7aFsJPTY
Our program was intentionally designed for professionals balancing full lives and full careers. Courses are offered online in eight‑week sessions, allowing you to learn from anywhere.
You can:
Start the program at multiple points throughout the year
Take one course at a time — two courses per semester
Finish in as little as 24 months or take up to seven years
As one graduate shared:
“I explored many options throughout the country. I was absolutely dedicated to having an online, asynchronous program simply because I am a full-time employee and also a full-time wife and mother. Attending in person was not going to work for my lifestyle. When I came across K-State's master's program, it included a leadership component, which so many of us naturally have in our personalities or want to develop more of. I felt like I hit the jackpot between the asynchronous schedule format of doing one class at a time and the fact that the whole program was tuned into what I was looking for.”
– Jennifer Holbrook, Master of Adult Learning and Leadership graduate
Learning that Applies Immediately
Training and leading adults requires more than subject‑matter expertise. This program equips you with a practical, research‑based toolbox you can apply immediately in your professional and personal life.
You’ll learn how adults learn, how to motivate diverse learners and how to design programs that move from theory to practice through coursework in:
Adult learning theory and development
Program planning and evaluation
Leadership and change management
Experiential learning and assessment
Technology integration and application
Faculty Who Know the Field — and Know You
Our faculty aren’t just researchers; they’re experienced practitioners who have designed programs, led organizations and taught adults themselves. Collectively, they bring decades of experience in adult education, leadership, program design, assessment and technology integration.
Students are also supported by a faculty advisor and mentor, who helps learners navigate the program and grow professionally.
Learn Alongside Professionals from Every Sector
One of the most powerful aspects of the program is your peers. Students come from a wide range of industries and roles, including:
Corporate training and talent development
Military and government
Nonprofit and community organizations
Healthcare and human services
Higher education and extension
This variety of experience and background creates rich discussion, broader perspectives and meaningful professional connections.
“I looked at a lot of programs and kept coming back to the K-State program because it felt comprehensive. It wasn't just corporate and it wasn't just higher education, which a lot of programs are. I saw that they had students who were in the military, students who were working for nonprofit or medical organizations and that was really interesting to me to get that sort of diversity of thought on the topic of adult learning and leadership.”
– Kevin Bishop, Master of Adult Learning and Leadership graduate
Career‑relevant Outcomes
The intentionally broad curriculum prepares graduates for leadership and learning roles across many fields. Alumni apply their degree in roles such as:
Corporate trainer or learning designer
Talent development or HR leader
Program manager or evaluator
Nonprofit director or community educator
Military or government leader
Higher education or extension professional
Graduates consistently report increased confidence, accelerated career growth and the ability to “speak the language” of adult learning and leadership in their organizations.
Real Graduates. Real Impact.
We understand that adult learners bring experience, responsibility and competing priorities. This program is designed to support you, not just academically but personally and professionally.
Graduates of the Adult Learning and Leadership program share how they balanced life and learning, applied coursework immediately and advanced their careers across industries.
Our goal is to make advanced education both accessible and sustainable.
Take the Next Step
Whether you’re formalizing years of experience, pivoting into a learning‑focused role or preparing for greater leadership responsibility, the Master of Science in Adult Learning and Leadership helps you lead with purpose and design learning that truly works.
Explore the program and see how K‑State can support your next chapter.
REQUEST TO SPEAK WITH THE ADULT LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM COORDINATORhttps://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBEQG1kp7aFsJPTY
Additional Documentation Your application must include the following:
Statement of objectives – State your academic objectives in one to two pages and include the following information:
career and professional goals and aspirations and how being accepted to the program will specifically benefit your goals and aspirations
description of relevant professional experience within education or a related field
future professional plans
Resume/curriculum vitae
Core coursework examines characteristics of adult learners, explores motivational, social, and cultural differences, develops skills in planning and evaluating programs for adults, and helps professionals better understand how adults develop and learn.
EDACE 780 – Introduction to Adult Learning and Leadership This is a foundation course that acquaints the student with the evolving field of adult education. It provides a systematic base for further studies in adult education. The broad purpose of this course is to have students explore the scope and significance of the field and its contributions to present-day learning in society. The student should leave this course with the beginning perspective of how adult education emerged, how it is presently changing, and how it interrelates with other fields and disciplines.
EDACE 790 – Characteristics of the Adult Learner The purpose of this course is to help the student gain increased knowledge about the characteristics of adults and how these impact learning. Students will be asked to develop a critical understanding of relevant theories, concepts, and research. Lastly, they will develop a better understanding of themselves as an adult learner.
EDACE 818 – Critical and Social Issues in Adult Learning This course is designed for adult learning and leadership students and college or university personnel in sociology and related fields dealing with adults. It is based on the premise that learning is affected by society, government, and economics. Included is an in-depth examination of the relationship between adult learning and culture.
EDACE 830 – Program Planning in Adult Learning and Leadership This course includes an analysis of major approaches of program planning and development and discussion of assumptions related to successful program planning in several types of organizations. It outlines the importance of program planning and elements of a systematic planning process.
EDCEP 816 – Research Methods in Education (or approved equivalent) This course will focus upon the fundamental principles and methods of social science research. Additionally, it will provide an opportunity for students to become critical readers of research-based literature in adult education through developing an understanding of the key aspects of quantitative, qualitative, and action-based analytical methods and research traditions.
Students can customize their program to meet professional needs by choosing electives from among over 25 electives to provide a broad perspective or narrow focus area. The Adult Learning, Leadership Dynamics, or Social Justice graduate certificates can be used to satisfy the elective requirement.
EDACE 765 – Adult Learners and Integrating Technology Into the Curriculum This course includes an in-depth study of methods for integrating innovative technologies into the curriculum for adult learners. With an in-depth understanding of adult learners, students will analyze learning theories and appropriate technologies for relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with course curriculum.
EDACE 785 – Designing Curriculum and Classroom Instruction for Adult Learners This course focuses on the systematic approach to instructional design for adult learners. A comprehensive discussion of all major components of curriculum design from instructional objectives, course sequencing, instructional strategies, formative assessments and summative evaluations will be included. A major focus will also be on transfer of learning.
EDACE 815 – Introduction to Community Educational Development This class offers a comprehensive review of factors related to community change and the role of educational programs in dealing with them. Emphasis is on educational and economic problem-solving approaches and change-implementing programs.
EDACE 820 – Principles of Teaching Adults This course will explore the theory and practice of teaching adults. Collaborative and active learning techniques will be emphasized in face-to-face and online environments. Students will examine the strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate application of a variety of methods to different adult education environments.
EDACE 824 – Teaching Online in Adult Learning This course examines online adult learning theories, online pedagogies, current research, and trends in e-education for the workplace and higher education.
EDACE 832 – Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Dynamics in Adult Learning and Leadership This course explores various psychological and sociological factors that impact leadership. Through examining topics like verbal and nonverbal communication, active listening, learning and presentation styles, emotional intelligence, conflict, and motivation, students gain a deeper understanding of how these factors affect their personal leadership styles and impact adults they are leading.
EDACE 834 – Leading Adults in a Globalized and Diverse World This course provides an introduction to the foundations of adult education leadership in the context of managing a culturally global workforce. Concepts of globalization as well as cross- cultural and international environments as they relate to adult education leadership are emphasized through theory to practice projects and research.
EDACE 835 – Developing Teams and Adult Leaders This course will examine how teams and leaders can be developed using adult learning and leadership theories and principles.
EDACE 836 – Group Dynamics in Adult Learning and Leadership This course focuses on group and team behavior and processes in the adult education environment. Various factors that impact group behavior, processes, and effectiveness will be examined and participants will learn skills needed to more effectively manage and facilitate groups and teams of adults to achieve organizational objectives, accomplish tasks, and fulfill individual members' needs.
EDACE 837 – Quality Programs and Staff Management in Adult Learning and Leadership Utilizes the use of adult education theories of program administration to enhance student understanding of staff and team dynamics. Focuses on developing interpersonal skills so that students can be more effective leaders, problem solvers, motivators, coaches, and change managers.
EDACE 845 – Social Media and Adults in 21st Century This course addresses the most popular social media and helps students understand the promise and challenge that social media has brought to 21st century working adults. Example topics include but are not limited to Social Media and adult learning, Social Media in the workforce, and new technology literacy in 21st century.
EDACE 847 – Adult Learning and Motivation This course will examine current adult learning and motivational concepts. Emphasis will be on gaining an understanding of how to create learning environments that enhance adult motivation to learn. Additionally, the practical application of learning theories in the classroom will be explored.
EDACE 860 – Innovative Higher Education Programs for Adults Designed to provide a conceptual understanding of innovative systems and structures currently serving higher education needs of adult learners. The course will provide a historical basis for the development of these programs as well as future trends. Included will be discussions of corporate colleges, external degree programs and distance/online learning.
EDACE 875 – Program Evaluation in Adult Learning and Leadership This course will provide an overview of various methods and strategies for evaluating educational programs for adults. Students will have the opportunity to examine the literature that is related to the program evaluation process in adult education settings. Opportunities to study the manner in which the process of program evaluation is conducted in modern programs for adults in governmental, educational, and private and public sector organizations will also be provided.
EDACE 880 – Significant Literature of Adult Learning This course is a seminar studying the significant literature of adult learning from a current and historic perspective.
EDACE 886 – Seminars in Adult Learning and Leadership Specialized topic courses.
The culminating project of the Master’s degree program is development of a learning portfolio, which is submitted during the final semester of enrollment.
The K-State Graduate School requires comprehensive examinations. In order to fulfill this requirement, the Adult Learning and Leadership master's degree adopted a Program Completion Portfolio as the final examination. The portfolio is a collection of artifacts from assignments completed while in the program and reflections on the learning and why the artifact demonstrates mastery of the student learning outcome (SLO). An artifact and reflection will be completed for each student learning outcome for the M.S. in Adult Learning and Leadership program.
A learning portfolio emphasizes students' knowledge and, more significantly, their understanding of how and why this knowledge fits into a larger framework. An important component to this portfolio is the reflection on each artifact.
Entries in the Program Completion Portfolio
Artifacts Artifacts are assignments completed in the adult learning and leadership course work. If students complete courses in other departments (e.g. academic advising, conflict resolution), artifacts should not be selected from those assignments. Students will submit two artifacts for each student learning outcome (SLO).
SLO Section Choose artifacts (no more than two artifacts per SLO) from any of the adult learning and leadership required or elective courses completed, which you believe demonstrates satisfaction of the following student learning outcomes (any artifact may satisfy up to two SLOs):
SLO 1: Students will be able to articulate an understanding of the breadth and depth of the literature in the field of adult education.
SLO 2: Demonstrate knowledge of research methodologies.
SLO 3: Demonstrate an understanding of social issues affecting adult learning and leadership.
SLO 4: Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of technology on adult education and adult learning.
SLO 5: Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
SLO 6: Demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex information.
SLO 7: Recognize moral and ethical responsibilities within the adult learning and leadership profession and practice professional ethics.
Reflection Essay (per Student Learning Outcome)
SLO Reflection Essay Students will write a two-page reflection essay on the topic of each SLO. In the essay, students should demonstrate their knowledge on the topic of the SLO.
Final Reflection Essay Review all the portfolio documents accumulated. Approximately two weeks prior to the portfolio due date (listed on the K-State Online Portfolio site), write a reflective essay (three to five pages) answering these issues/ideas:
How are you different than when you first began this program?
What applications or language do you have for the future?
What values will help in your future endeavors?
How will this change affect the way you work in the field of adult education or in your current profession?
The Artifacts, SLO Reflection Essay, and the Final Reflective Essay will all be uploaded in a designated dropbox in the K-State Online Portfolio site.
Assessment Forms
At the appropriate time, students will be sent links to the following assessments:
Complete Master of Adult Learning and Leadership Student Learning Self-Assessment. A link will be sent to the student one month prior to the Portfolio Due Date.
Complete Master of Adult Learning and Leadership End-of-Program Survey. A link will be sent to the student one month prior to Commencement.
Procedures
Once students are admitted to the degree program and begin their first course, they should email Dr. Royce Ann Collins (racollin@k-state.edu) and request to be added to the Portfolio Canvas course. Throughout the courses, students can gradually build the portfolio. Documents will be uploaded into each SLO assignment area in K-State Online during the month prior to the due date. Within K-State Online, there are discussion board posts and FAQs for the Portfolio development. The Portfolio must be complete during the last semester of enrollment in the program.
Presentation and Quality
The Portfolio is to be completed as a Word or PDF file. For Word documents, one-inch margins, double spacing, and at least 12-point font are to be used as well as APA style guidelines. Graduate quality writing is expected for the portfolio documents.
Evaluation
The entire portfolio will be reviewed by the adult learning and leadership faculty. The portfolio will be evaluated for the thoughtfulness and conceptualization; substantive and relevant content; demonstration of knowledge; and technical presentation (e.g., writing style, organization and flow, APA style, grammar). The evaluation rubric will be used by the department only for program improvement. The student will be notified of "Pass" or "Fail."
Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
If you have any condition, such as physical or learning disability, which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as outlined or which will require academic accommodations, please notify your advisor before creating your portfolio.
Academic Honesty
Kansas State University has an Honor System based on personal integrity, which is presumed to be sufficient assurance in academic matters one's work is performed honestly and without unauthorized assistance. All students, by registration, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Honor System. The policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning. To find more information and examples of actions that would be considered academic dishonesty, check out the K-State Honor and Integrity System website.
Adult Learning and Leadership - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Master of Science in Adult Learning and Leadership is a fully online graduate degree designed for professionals who educate, train or lead adult learners. The program combines adult learning theory with practical leadership skills to help you design effective learning programs, lead teams and evaluate learning outcomes in professional settings, including business, education, nonprofit organizations, government and the military.
This program is designed for working professionals who want to understand how adults learn and improve how organizations develop people. Students often include corporate trainers, instructional designers, nonprofit leaders, military officers, government professionals, healthcare educators, extension professionals and higher education staff. The program is ideal if your role involves training, leadership or organizational learning.
Yes. The Adult Learning and Leadership master’s degree is offered 100% online. Courses are asynchronous, meaning there are no required live class meetings. Students can complete coursework from anywhere and access materials on their own schedule.
Most students complete the program in approximately 24 months. The program is flexible and allows students to take one course per eight-week session or two courses per semester. Students may take up to seven years to complete the degree if needed.
Courses are delivered in eight-week sessions and focus on applied learning. Students complete readings, discussions and projects that connect directly to their professional roles. Many assignments are designed to be immediately applicable to your workplace.
The program offers multiple start dates throughout the year. Because courses run in eight-week sessions, students do not need to wait for a traditional fall-only admission cycle.
The curriculum focuses on how adults learn and how learning organizations succeed. Elective topics include:
Adult learning theory and motivation
Program and curriculum design
Leadership development
Technology integration for adult learning
Evaluation and assessment of learning programs
The program emphasizes understanding adult learners and building practical skills that transfer across industries
Graduates use this degree to strengthen leadership skills, improve training and education programs and prepare for promotion or career transition. Because adult learning occurs in every sector, the skills gained in this program apply to business, nonprofit, government, military and education settings.
Courses are taught by faculty who are both experienced practitioners and scholars in adult education and leadership. Faculty members have led training and education programs themselves and emphasize practical, real-world application.
Yes. Every student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides academic guidance and professional mentoring throughout the program. Adult Learning and Leadership faculty prioritize personalized support and relationship-building.
Students come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including nonprofit organizations, business and industry, government agencies, healthcare systems and the armed services. Students are located across the United States and internationally. Because students bring experience from many fields and leadership roles, discussions are grounded in real-world insight and practical application, creating rich learning environments.
Yes. Students engage with peers through online discussions, collaborative assignments and group projects. Many students build professional relationships that continue beyond graduation.
Online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency. This makes the program affordable for both in-state and out-of-state students. Scholarships are available specifically for Adult Learning and Leadership students, with additional financial aid options through the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
Yes. Eligible students may use GI Bill® or other veteran education benefits. The flexible, fully online format supports military-affiliated students who may relocate, deploy or balance demanding schedules.
Time commitment varies by course, but the eight-week format is designed for working professionals balancing full-time employment and personal responsibilities. Students often report that the structure makes coursework manageable alongside work and family commitments.
This program focuses specifically on adult learners and learning organizations. Rather than preparing students for a single job title, the degree provides a versatile skill set that applies across roles, industries and career paths.
Graduates work in roles such as training and development leader, instructional designer, learning consultant, nonprofit executive, military or government leader, higher education administrator and program director. Many graduates also use the degree to strengthen leadership capacity in their current roles.
Prospective students can learn more about admission requirements, application deadlines and next steps by contacting the Adult Learning and Leadership program coordinator or by connecting with an admissions advisor for online graduate programs.