Best institutions to study Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
A program that prepares individuals to teach adult students in various settings, including basic and remedial education programs, continuing education programs, and programs designed to develop or upgrade specific employment-related knowledge and skills.
67 U.S. institutions graduated 942 Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1201, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12), and leads most directly to the Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors occupation (BLS SOC 25-3011).
About Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach adult students in various settings, including basic and remedial education programs, continuing education programs, and programs designed to develop or upgrade specific employment-related knowledge and skills.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching program prepares individuals to effectively teach adult learners in diverse settings. This program falls under the broader category of Teacher Education and Professional Development, focusing on essential skills for educators in basic education, remedial programs, and workforce training. It is ideal for those passionate about fostering adult education and supporting lifelong learning.
Students in this program acquire vital skills such as reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework emphasizes knowledge in English language, education and training, and administrative management, equipping graduates to adapt their teaching methods to meet the varied needs of adult learners.
Credentials awarded
What Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree622 graduates / yr · 41 institutions66%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship161 graduates / yr · 16 institutions17%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate126 graduates / yr · 24 institutions13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year15 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.6%
- Post-master's certificate8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.8%
- Bachelor's degree8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - other2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,480 |
| 2013 | 1,526 |
| 2014 | 1,424 |
| 2015 | 1,518 |
| 2016 | 1,465 |
| 2017 | 1,427 |
| 2018 | 1,309 |
| 2019 | 1,216 |
| 2020 | 1,101 |
| 2021 | 1,073 |
| 2022 | 981 |
| 2023 | 919 |
| 2024 | 898 |
| 2025 | 942 |
Top 50 institutions for Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching, 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American College of Education Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 60 | — | — | — |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 53 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 3 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 41 | 75% | — | $44,049 |
| 4 | Troy University Troy, ALPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 40 | 50% | — | $42,788 |
| 5 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 90% | — | $46,162 |
| 6 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 39 | 71% | — | $44,320 |
| 7 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 37 | 84% | — | — |
| 8 | Waldorf University Forest City, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 36 | 21% | $22,328 | — |
| 9 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 35 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 10 | University of West Alabama Livingston, ALPublicMaster's | 31 | 35% | — | — |
| 11 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 29 | 43% | — | $46,908 |
| 12 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicDoctoralMaster's | 29 | 70% | — | — |
| 13 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | — | — | — |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster's | 28 | 34% | — | $45,795 |
| 15 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 27 | 43% | $21,535 | $40,682 |
| 16 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster's | 20 | 57% | — | $40,677 |
| 17 | Oklahoma Christian University Edmond, OKPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 19 | 56% | $21,964 | $47,801 |
| 18 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 18 | 84% | — | — |
| 19 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 15 | 67% | — | — |
| 20 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 62% | — | $41,821 |
| 21 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicMaster's | 15 | 41% | — | — |
| 22 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 15 | 85% | — | $44,979 |
| 23 | Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OKPublicMaster's | 15 | 30% | — | — |
| 24 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 15 | 63% | — | — |
| 25 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 18% | — | — |
| 26 | Morehead State University Morehead, KYPublicMaster's | 13 | 52% | — | $36,198 |
| 27 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 13 | 56% | — | $37,288 |
| 28 | Park University Parkville, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 38% | $16,013 | $36,667 |
| 29 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 13 | 33% | — | $36,654 |
| 30 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicMaster's | 13 | 65% | — | $53,133 |
| 31 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicMaster'sMaster's | 12 | 40% | — | — |
| 32 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 86% | — | — |
| 33 | Drake University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 74% | $28,855 | $41,630 |
| 34 | Texas A&M University - Victoria Victoria, TXPublicMaster's | 11 | 26% | — | — |
| 35 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicMaster's | 11 | 80% | — | — |
| 36 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicMaster's | 9 | 51% | — | $32,823 |
| 37 | Judson University Elgin, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | 60% | $25,200 | — |
| 38 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 69% | — | $42,789 |
| 39 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 80% | — | $46,765 |
| 40 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 7 | 85% | — | $20,608 |
| 41 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 73% | — | $44,363 |
| 42 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 5 | — | — | $36,427 |
| 43 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 63% | — | $42,690 |
| 44 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 86% | — | $45,795 |
| 45 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicMaster's | 5 | 42% | — | — |
| 46 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 74% | — | $44,522 |
| 47 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicMaster's | 4 | 55% | — | — |
| 48 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 3 | 60% | $20,981 | — |
| 49 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 71% | — | $40,777 |
| 50 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg Middletown, PAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 26% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states
Where Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-3011, Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching program can pursue careers as Adult Basic Education instructors or Training and Development Specialists. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 13.7%, there are approximately 3,900 annual openings, with a median wage of $59,950, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1201
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructorsprimary SOC 25-3011 | $61,540 | -13.7% Decline | ~3,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Self-Enrichment Teachers SOC 25-3021 | $46,800 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~51,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Training and Development Specialists SOC 13-1151 | $69,280 | +10.8% Much faster than average | ~43,900 | 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 and Teaching 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
- Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.
- Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12).
- Elementary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120242,176 graduates / yr1,131 institutions
- Early Childhood Education and TeachingCIP 13.121033,622 graduates / yr910 institutions
- Secondary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120510,339 graduates / yr530 institutions
- Teacher EducationCIP 13.12069,066 graduates / yr279 institutions
- Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.12996,107 graduates / yr191 institutions
- Junior High/CIP 13.1203
Intermediate/ Middle School Education and Teaching 2,728 graduates / yr273 institutions - Kindergarten/CIP 13.1209
Preschool Education and Teaching 1,689 graduates / yr113 institutions - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational MethodsCIP 13.1213398 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Montessori Teacher EducationCIP 13.1207282 graduates / yr16 institutions
- College/CIP 13.1214
Postsecondary/ University Teaching 95 graduates / yr16 institutions - Online Educator/CIP 13.1211
Online Teaching 59 graduates / yr17 institutions - International Teaching and LearningCIP 13.1212limited data34 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Waldorf/
Steiner Teacher Education13.1208
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Award of at least 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and teaching strategies.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
You can work as an Adult Basic Education instructor, Self-Enrichment teacher, or Training and Development Specialist.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 13.7%, with around 3,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching?+
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching is CIP 13.1201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach adult students in various settings, including basic and remedial education programs, continuing education programs, and programs designed to develop or upgrade specific employment-related knowledge and skills.
How many institutions offer Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching programs?+
67 U.S. institutions reported Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states, awarding 942 credentials in the year. That is 0.9% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors occupation, which Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,540 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $42,788 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card