Best institutions to study Adult and Continuing Education Administration
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of administering programs and facilities designed to serve the basic education needs of undereducated adults, or the continuing education needs of adults seeking further or specialized instruction, and that prepares individuals to serve as administrators of such programs.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 367 Adult and Continuing Education Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0403, a specialization of Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04), and leads most directly to the Training and Development Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-3131).
About Adult and Continuing Education Administration programs
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of administering programs and facilities designed to serve the basic education needs of undereducated adults, or the continuing education needs of adults seeking further or specialized instruction, and that prepares individuals to serve as administrators of such programs. Includes instruction in adult education principles, program and facilities planning, personnel management, community and client relations, budgeting and administration, professional standards, and applicable laws and policies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Adult and Continuing Education Administration program, part of Educational Administration and Supervision, is designed for individuals interested in managing educational programs aimed at undereducated adults or those seeking further instruction. This program prepares students to become effective administrators in adult education settings, focusing on the unique needs of adult learners.
Students will gain knowledge in adult education principles, program planning, personnel management, and budgeting. Coursework emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, equipping graduates to enhance educational opportunities for adults.
Credentials awarded
What Adult and Continuing Education Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree273 graduates / yr · 11 institutions74%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship62 graduates / yr · 5 institutions17%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate30 graduates / yr · 6 institutions8.2%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Adult and Continuing Education Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 940 |
| 2013 | 1,024 |
| 2014 | 965 |
| 2015 | 815 |
| 2016 | 625 |
| 2017 | 614 |
| 2018 | 446 |
| 2019 | 438 |
| 2020 | 406 |
| 2021 | 462 |
| 2022 | 365 |
| 2023 | 337 |
| 2024 | 330 |
| 2025 | 367 |
Top 19 institutions for Adult and Continuing Education Administration, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 151 | 21% | $15,478 |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 46 | 85% | — |
| 3 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | 49% | — |
| 4 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicDoctoralMaster's | 28 | 71% | — |
| 5 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster's | 24 | 63% | — |
| 6 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicMaster's | 10 | 59% | — |
| 7 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NCPublicMaster's | 10 | 57% | — |
| 8 | Carroll University Waukesha, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 71% | $22,601 |
| 9 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicPost-degree cert. | 9 | 71% | — |
| 10 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicDoctoral | 9 | 55% | — |
| 11 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 53% | — |
| 12 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 84% | — |
| 13 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicMaster's | 4 | 37% | — |
| 14 | Arcadia University Glenside, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 67% | $23,796 |
| 15 | University of the District of Columbia Washington, DCPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 3 | 33% | — |
| 16 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 42% | — |
| 17 | Coppin State University Baltimore, MDPublicMaster's | 2 | 26% | — |
| 18 | South College Knoxville, TNPrivate for-profitMaster's | 2 | 42% | $20,346 |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WIPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 46% | — |
Offered in 15 states
Where Adult and Continuing Education Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Educational Administration and Supervision programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | 151 | University of Phoenix - Arizona151 / yr |
| North Carolina | 3 | 80 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh46 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 36 | Northern Illinois University36 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 28 | University of Arkansas28 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 16 | Texas State University9 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 11 | Carroll University10 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 10 | Central Michigan University10 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 9 | Kansas State University9 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 8 | Portland State University8 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 4 | University of Central Oklahoma4 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | Arcadia University4 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 3 | University of the District of Columbia3 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 3 | Valdosta State University3 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 2 | Coppin State University2 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 2 | South College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3131, Training and Development Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program often pursue careers as Training and Development Managers or Education Administrators. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 5.8% and approximately 3,800 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $127,090, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0403
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Training and Development Managersprimary SOC 11-3131 | $133,000 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~3,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Administrators, All Other SOC 11-9039 | $95,200 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~4,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Adult and Continuing Education Administration programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Analyze training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
- Evaluate instructor performance and the effectiveness of training programs, providing recommendations for improvement.
- Plan, develop, and provide training and staff development programs, using knowledge of the effectiveness of methods such as classroom training, demonstrations, on-the-job training, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
- Confer with management and conduct surveys to identify training needs based on projected production processes, changes, and other factors.
- Conduct orientation sessions and arrange on-the-job training for new hires.
- Train instructors and supervisors in techniques and skills for training and dealing with employees.
Tools and technology used
Other Educational Administration and Supervision specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04).
- Educational Leadership and AdministrationCIP 13.040131,615 graduates / yr708 institutions
- Higher Education/CIP 13.0406
Higher Education Administration 4,257 graduates / yr258 institutions - Educational Administration and SupervisionCIP 13.04992,266 graduates / yr93 institutions
- Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum SupervisionCIP 13.04041,918 graduates / yr78 institutions
- Elementary and Middle School Administration/CIP 13.0408
Principalship 1,306 graduates / yr30 institutions - Superintendency and Educational System AdministrationCIP 13.04111,176 graduates / yr83 institutions
- Urban Education and LeadershipCIP 13.0410674 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Secondary School Administration/CIP 13.0409
Principalship 397 graduates / yr23 institutions - Community College AdministrationCIP 13.0407375 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Administration of Special EducationCIP 13.0402253 graduates / yr30 institutions
- Early Childhood Program AdministrationCIP 13.0414partial data99 graduates / yr8 institutions
- International School Administration/CIP 13.0412
Leadership partial data22 graduates / yr4 institutions - Education EntrepreneurshipCIP 13.0413limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Educational Administration and Supervision programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree in research/scholarship, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in learning strategies, critical thinking, communication, and program evaluation.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.8% and about 3,800 annual job openings.
What careers can I pursue after this program?+
You can pursue careers as Training and Development Managers or Education Administrators, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Adult and Continuing Education Administration?+
Adult and Continuing Education Administration is CIP 13.0403 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Educational Administration and Supervision (CIP 13.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of administering programs and facilities designed to serve the basic education needs of undereducated adults, or the continuing education needs of adults seeking further or specialized instruction, and that prepares individuals to serve as administrators of such programs. Includes instruction in adult education principles, program and facilities planning, personnel management, community and client relations, budgeting and administration, professional standards, and applicable laws and policies.
How many institutions offer Adult and Continuing Education Administration programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Adult and Continuing Education Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 367 credentials in the year. That is 0.8% of all Educational Administration and Supervision graduates.
How much do Adult and Continuing Education Administration graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Training and Development Managers occupation, which Adult and Continuing Education Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $133,000 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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