Adult Education Near You or Online: Learning Options for Mature Students

Types of Adult Learning Programs

Adult education covers a huge variety of areas. Here are a few of the most common kinds of programs you'll find:

1. Adult basic education

Typically aimed at people who are over 16 and not enrolled in school, these programs are designed to boost students' abilities in reading, writing, and math. Students receive instruction in grammar, reading comprehension, and sentence structure as well as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Many programs also include training in basic computer functions as well as college- or workforce-readiness skills.

2. High school equivalency

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that roughly nine percent of American adults over age 25 have not completed high school. If you're one of them, you can change your circumstances by taking an adult education program that helps you acquire a diploma or equivalent credential.

The GED has long been the standard route to a high school equivalency credential. Most (though not all) states accept the GED, and many adult education providers offer courses to help you prepare for the exams.

However, depending on where you live, you may have other options, including the following:

• The High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) was designed to test students' abilities in the academic areas that typically make up the high school curriculum: math, science, social studies, reading comprehension, and writing. Questions are either essay-style or multiple-choice. The HiSET is available in both digital and paper formats (unlike the GED, which is entirely computer-based).
• The National External Diploma Program (NEDP) is a bit different. It enables self-directed adults who have life and work experience to earn a high school diploma by demonstrating abilities in areas such as science, history, financial literacy, and civics. Students complete a set of computer-based assignments at their own pace and meet regularly with an assessor, but they do not attend any classes or take any exams.

Some states offer only one of the above options, while others give learners a choice. Be sure to check with your state's education department to see what rules apply in your area.

3. Vocational training

Many adult education providers offer career and technical education programs that can help you prepare for rewarding opportunities in fields like healthcare, information technology, the culinary arts, and the skilled trades. Some programs are designed to allow students to improve their basic literacy or math skills and train for a new occupation at the same time.

Below is a sample of careers that students can typically train for, along with their median salaries (from May 2021) as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• Website designer: $80K
• EKG technician: $61K
• Carpenter: $48K
• Licensed practical or vocational nurse: $48K
• Automotive body repairer: $47K
• Medical billing and coding specialist: $47K
• Accounting clerk: $46K
• Administrative assistant: $40K
• Phlebotomist: $37K
• Medical assistant: $37K
• Pharmacy technician: $37K

4. Continuing education

Continuing education is a bit of a catch-all phrase. It encompasses a wide range of short courses or programs aimed at adults who want to pursue formal training outside of a traditional college program. Courses are offered in many areas, including business administration, accounting, writing, and technology.

Some continuing ed classes are general-knowledge-type courses, while others lead to specific industry certifications. Individuals who work in industries like healthcare and education are often required to take continuing education credits in order to maintain their licensing.

5. Community education

Adults who need help to become proficient in English or to prepare for becoming U.S. citizens can find many courses geared toward those needs.

English as a Second Language (ESL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training is widely available. It focuses on basic grammar and reading as well as pronunciation and conversational skills. Some programs are geared toward adults who are aiming to go on to post-secondary training, while others are meant for students who are seeking employment or are currently in the workforce. And some are designed to help immigrants achieve the level of English proficiency that is required to pass the citizenship exam.

Courses that help immigrants prepare for the civics portion of the citizenship test are also common. They cover topics like geography, history, and the structure and functions of government. The courses themselves are often free, but you still need to pay for the actual exam.

6. Personal or family enrichment

You can also take adult education classes to learn more about a particular topic or hobby that interests you. Such personal enrichment classes can cover anything from cooking, dancing, and painting to yoga, guitar playing, and money management. Some programs are targeted at specific populations, such as senior citizens or adults with disabilities.

Family literacy or enrichment programs are also available. These are designed to help adults improve their parenting skills in order to promote positive family interactions and facilitate children's learning.