EducationSpecialization of Teaching Assistants/Aides

Best institutions to study Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor

CIP 13.1502

A program that prepares individuals to serve as instructors and mentors for adults in basic or functional literacy programs in school, institutional, community, and private settings.

4 U.S. institutions graduated 16 Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1502, a specialization of Teaching Assistants/Aides (CIP 13.15), and leads most directly to the Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors occupation (BLS SOC 25-3011).

Other Teaching Assistants/Aides specializations
Institutions
4
offering CIP 13.1502
States offered
4
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
16
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
100%
share of graduates
US median pay · Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
$61,540
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Teaching Assistants/Aides
0.4%
of all Teaching Assistants/Aides graduates

About Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 13.1502
A program that prepares individuals to serve as instructors and mentors for adults in basic or functional literacy programs in school, institutional, community, and private settings.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor program prepares individuals to serve as instructors and mentors for adults in basic or functional literacy programs. This program is designed for those who wish to work in various settings, including schools, community organizations, and private institutions, helping adults improve their reading, writing, and overall literacy skills.

What you'll learn

Students in this program will develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. They will also gain knowledge in English language, education and training, and administrative management, equipping them to effectively support adult learners in their educational journeys.

Credentials awarded

What Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Master's degree9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    56%
  • Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    44%

Graduates over time

Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

16graduates in 2025
-47% since 2012
46 · 2013201220253016
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
201230
201346
201412
201520
201617
201717
201821
20196
202027
202120
202224
202315
202413
202516

Top 4 institutions for Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet price
1University of Nevada - Reno
Reno, NVPublicMaster's
661%—
2University of Memphis
Memphis, TNPublicPost-degree cert.
551%—
3Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
366%$24,175
4Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TXPublicPost-degree cert.
269%—

Offered in 4 states

Where Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor graduates come from. Each state links to all Teaching Assistants/Aides programs offered there.

StateInstitutionsGraduates / yrTop institution by graduates
Nevada16University of Nevada - Reno6 / yr
Tennessee15University of Memphis5 / yr
Pennsylvania13Robert Morris University3 / yr
Texas12Texas Tech University2 / yr

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 Literacy Tutor/Instructor program typically pursue careers as Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors. Although the job outlook indicates a decline of 13.7%, there are approximately 3,900 annual openings, with a median wage of $59,950. A typical education requirement for these roles is a Bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-13.7%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~3,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$59,950
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
37,310
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
US average pay
$65,860
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$61,540
annual

Top-paying metros

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
$109,520avg
Bakersfield-Delano, CA
$108,790avg
Modesto, CA
$108,070avg
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
$101,690avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$100,800avg

Career pathways for CIP 13.1502

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructorsprimary
SOC 25-3011
$61,540-13.7%
Decline
~3,900Bachelor's degree
SOC 25-9049
————
Preparation needed

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

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
$65,860 avg · 37,310 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Reading Comprehension
Learning Strategies
Active Listening
Speaking
Monitoring
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Learning

Knowledge areas

English Language
Education and Training
Customer and Personal Service
Administrative
Administration and Management
Mathematics

Abilities that matter most

Oral Expression
Written Comprehension
Written Expression
Speech Clarity
Oral Comprehension
Speech Recognition

Day-to-day work activities

Thinking Creatively
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Coaching and Developing Others
Training and Teaching Others
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

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

Adobe PhotoshopBlackboard softwareComputerized testing softwareEdmodoEdpuzzleEducational softwareFacebookGoogle Classroom

Other Teaching Assistants/Aides specializations

The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teaching Assistants/Aides (CIP 13.15).

Common questions

What degree do I need to become an Adult Literacy Tutor?+

A typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.

What skills will I learn in this program?+

You will learn skills such as reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking.

What is the job outlook for Adult Literacy Instructors?+

The job outlook shows a decline of 13.7%, with about 3,900 annual openings.

What types of settings can I work in?+

You can work in schools, community organizations, and private institutions.

What is the CIP code for Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor?+

Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor is CIP 13.1502 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teaching Assistants/Aides (CIP 13.15). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to serve as instructors and mentors for adults in basic or functional literacy programs in school, institutional, community, and private settings.

How many institutions offer Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor programs?+

4 U.S. institutions reported Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 16 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Teaching Assistants/Aides graduates.

How much do Adult Literacy Tutor/Instructor 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 Literacy Tutor/Instructor most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,540 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Teaching Assistants/Aides by stateNevadaTennesseePennsylvaniaTexas
Other Teaching Assistants/Aides specializationsTeacher Assistant/AideTeaching Assistants/Aides

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

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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