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Who is the Distance Learning Course in Adult Education (M.A.) suitable for?
The distance learning course in Adult Education (M.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius is aimed at professionals working in educational institutions, personnel development, continuing education, consulting or educational management who wish to deepen or expand their competencies in the field of adult and continuing education pedagogy. The programme appeals on the one hand to specialists with pedagogical prior education (e.g. teachers, educational consultants, trainers), but is also open to career changers with professional experience in the education sector who, for example, are responsible for programme planning, educational consulting or the organisation of learning processes and want to qualify for further management or leadership roles.
What admission requirements must you meet?
There are three possible admission routes for the Master’s programme in Adult Education (M.A.):
- With a university degree: You need a completed relevant first degree (Bachelor, Diploma or Magister) with at least 180 ECTS (Credit Points). A subject-relevant degree, for example in pedagogy, social sciences, psychology or comparable fields, is advantageous.
- With degree plus professional experience: In addition to the first degree, you must demonstrate at least 1 year of qualified professional experience in a relevant field of adult education or continuing education.
- Without a university degree: Alternatively, admission is possible without a first degree if you have completed a relevant vocational training and at least 4 years of professionally relevant work experience in adult education, consulting or educational management. In this case, a letter of motivation and an admission interview are required. An aptitude test (e.g. a subject-related term paper) may also be requested.
If your admission requirements are not fully met (e.g. individual credit points or subject-related proofs are missing), supplementary qualifications, a counselling interview or recognition of prior professional achievements may be required. Further individual assessments (e.g. English skills at B2 level) may be necessary depending on the individual case.
Personal requirements include analytical skills and a strong interest in topics related to adult education, didactics and consulting. You should be able to work independently and digitally, as the course is completed entirely online. Communication skills, organisational ability and openness to innovative learning methods and digital media are important. Practical experience in working with groups, seminar leadership or counselling learners is advantageous, as is an interest in scientific reflection and educational management.
Study Content in Detail: What Will You Learn in the Master’s in Adult Education?
In the Master’s programme in Adult Education (M.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you will engage intensively with pedagogical, didactic and organisational issues. The curriculum is modular and designed to qualify you for the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of educational offers for adults. The core content includes:
- Pedagogy as a science and lifespan pedagogy
- Didactic models, principles and design of learning processes
- Media education, media didactics and digital educational media
- Educational management, programme planning and development
- Educational marketing, public relations and target group communication
- Quality management in education
- Educational counselling and targeted support of individual learning processes
- Interdisciplinary contexts of education, society, ethics and sustainability
- Educational research (qualitative and quantitative methods)
- Cross-disciplinary competencies such as educational law, financing and funding
You can set individual foci in the elective area, e.g. in Instructional Design, Management and Leadership in Educational Contexts, Internationalisation, or Digital Communication. You will further develop your interdisciplinary skills in areas such as leadership, personnel development and the application of digital technologies in education. International perspectives are promoted through cooperations such as with Arizona State University (ASU®).
Course Structure: How Is the Distance Learning Organised?
The distance learning course is designed to be part-time alongside your job and completely online. Depending on your individual learning pace, you can choose between different durations: 24, 36 or 48 months. The modules are practice-oriented and allow you to start flexibly at the beginning of any month. You have access to digital learning platforms, professional e-learning materials such as scripts, videos and study mags, as well as an online library.
- Modular structure: All modules are completed online.
- Exam formats: term papers, online presentations, oral presentations or portfolio tasks – exams are mostly flexibly schedulable, with only a few on-site exams possible, but reduced.
- Support: Personal support from lecturers and study coaches, regular online seminars and virtual study groups.
- International focus: complemented by international, free certificates and masterclasses in cooperation with ASU®.
The programme has no admission restriction (NC) and enrolment is also possible without a traditional bachelor’s degree, provided that appropriate professional qualifications and experience are documented. Most services of the university – such as access to libraries, counselling and examination fees – are already included in the tuition fees.
Career Opportunities & Professional Prospects: What Perspectives Open Up After Graduation?
With the Master’s in Adult Education (M.A.), you qualify for diverse roles at the interface of pedagogy, educational management, counselling and organisational development. Typical fields of work include:
- Leadership and management of adult and continuing education institutions
- Personnel and programme planning in companies, associations or educational institutions
- Educational counselling, coaching and individual support of adults
- Development and marketing of educational offers in the public and private sectors
- Organisational development in initial and continuing education, universities and corporate learning
- Quality and process management in educational institutions
- Activities in e-learning, digital learning platforms and instructional design
The skills acquired prepare you to actively shape educational and transformation processes and also to apply for leadership, consultancy or international roles in the education sector.
Place of Study: How Does the Online Distance Learning at Hochschule Fresenius Work?
The distance learning in Adult Education is location-independent and entirely online. You use the digital learning platform of Hochschule Fresenius, where all teaching materials, tasks and communication channels are centrally available. There are no fixed campus attendance times, allowing you to combine your studies flexibly with work and/or other obligations. Some examinations may optionally take place on site, but this remains the exception.
Personal support is provided digitally by study coaches and lecturers. The network includes virtual study groups and online seminars. Through the cooperation with Arizona State University (ASU®), you can expand your international experience horizon if desired. A student ID card is posted after successful enrolment and offers discount opportunities as well as access to online libraries.
Costs and Funding: What Fees Are Incurred for the Master’s in Adult Education?
The total costs of the distance learning course depend on the chosen duration. The following models are available:
- 24 months: 525 Euro/month (total: 12,600 Euro)
- 36 months: 395 Euro/month (total: 14,220 Euro)
- 48 months: 315 Euro/month (total: 15,120 Euro)
Included are all digital learning materials, support by lecturers and study coaches, access to the online library as well as all examination fees. Additional costs only arise for travel and meals for possible optional on-site exams. The university regularly offers discount promotions on tuition fees.
- Funding options: KfW student loan, BAföG for distance learning, Deutschlandstipendium as well as various scholarships from Hochschule Fresenius
- Employer support: support by your employer is possible if the course provides relevant qualifications for the company
The fee model and funding options are designed to make the course optimally manageable. Individual financing advice is available through the university.
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