Postsecondary Adult and Continuing Education (PACE) Specialization

Welcome

A specialty for those interested in the facilitation of adult learning in college and workplace settings.

The Educational Leadership and Policy Department (ELP) offers a Master of Science or Master of Arts* in Education with a specialization in Postsecondary, Adult & Continuing Education (PACE), as well as three PACE graduate certificate programs:

• Teaching Adult Learners
• Student Affairs in Higher Education
• Service-Learning and Community-Based Learning

PACE mission statement

To develop adult educators who are able to anticipate and respond to the changing developmental issues of diverse adult learners, organizations, and communities.

PACE guiding principles and values

The PACE specialty is guided by a specific set of principles and values that is incorporated into course content and interactions:

• A commitment to social justice and equity
• The empowerment of change agents and agency
• The integration of theory, research, assessment, and practice
• The promotion of sound educational, social, economic, cultural, and environmental leadership and decision-making
• The development of reflective practitioners
• The fostering of life-long learning within inclusive, interdependent communities
• The utilization of appropriate and contemporary resources and technology

Pace themes

The specialty serves those who wish to teach, develop programs, or manage programs for adult learners in college or non-college settings, or those who already work in this field but want to improve their practice and advance. This includes those who are interested in:

• Student services
• Training and development
• Service-learning
• Adult learning and development
• Higher education and organizational change
• Other administrative and support services in colleges and universities and professional continuing education

PACE program offerings

• Convenient late afternoon and evening classes
• Responsiveness to the needs of working adults
• Flexibility
• Individualized study options
• Field-based study options

PACE learning outcomes

As a result of successfully completing the program, all graduates are expected to demonstrate their learning in the following core areas:

• Teaching and learning of adults
• Understanding of social and cultural issues in developing learning communities
• Accessing, assessing, and using information to improve practice
• Critical reflection of one's own practice and professional development
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership for the common good

In addition, the following learning areas may apply to some students:

• Management, administrative, and organizational skills
• Program development

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*Master of Arts degree requires proficiency in a foreign language. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (503-725-3522) administers the language examination taken any time prior to one's final term.