Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s new online master’s program option in adult and continuing education is expanding the University’s reach by offering a unique range of online courses, catered toward working individuals.
The program option is a series of online courses available in the master’s in curriculum and instruction through the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Teaching and Learning. It is designed to integrate the adult learner’s past and future work experience, including Career and Technical Education (CTE).
“Enrollment in the program is exceeding expectations,” said Caroline Pryor, EdD, associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning. “There appears to be a great need for those professionals who work with adults to expand their skills, especially their knowledge of how adults learn and tools to help them learn.”
The program’s curriculum serves professionals who interact with adult learners in a wide-range of settings, from those who teach at community colleges or GED programs to businesspeople who work in human resources, or with community and nursing outreach.
SIUE has partnered with the Southern Illinois Professional Development Center (SIPDC), housed at the University, to utilize its teaching modules, assignments and applications in development of the program’s curriculum.
“Our partnership with SIUE has evolved and expanded,” said Bevan Gibson, director of the SIPDC. “Our Center offers online professional development across the state. Dr. Pryor knew the interworking of how to create an online master’s program option, and we could offer curriculum tools and access to a population who would be interested in and could benefit from this convenient offering.”
Program curriculum is application-based and supports rich communication through its online discussion boards to serve the needs of its students.
“We plan to add additional online course options that can augment various adult constituencies, such as police-fire educational outreach, international student community needs and the educational needs of those who serve and staff public service offices,” Pryor said.
“One of the big ‘wow’ factors of adult education is its generational impact,” added Sarah Goldammer, educational training specialist with the SIPDC. “Adult education’s goal is working with students to improve the economic development structure of their local communities. Many of the students that adult educators impact are going home and affecting both the generation before them and the generation after them.”
No K-12 teaching licensure is required for the online adult and continuing education master’s program option. Students may enroll in one course or choose a master’s degree option. Prior learning credit may be available.
For more information on the online master’s program option in adult and continuing education, contact Pryor at capryor@siue.edu.
About the SIPDC: The Southern Illinois Professional Development Center provides professional/staff development services to enhance the effectiveness of those serving adult learners. Our mission is to provide quality staff development, focusing on curriculum and instruction, to all instructors of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Adult and Family Literacy programs.
Photo: Caroline Pryor, EdD, associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.