Program Development in Adult Education

Education and training programs for adults come in all shapes, sizes, and formats (Caffarella, 2002, p. 2). It is the responsibility of adult learning professions to develop sound and meaningful programs for mature learners. Often times these programs are affiliated with certain universities. Any program proposals in adult education require essential components such as program standards, need for the program, mission and goals of the program, curriculum, faculty, assessment methods, external funding and survey results. Depending on institutions’ needs, other components may be required. It is self-explanatory that the purpose of program development in adult education is to encourage continuous growth and development of mature learners. Adult learners should be the center of attention when it comes to the development of sound and meaningful programs. The chapter will provide an exemplary example for adult learning professionals who have just graduated from graduate programs in adult education.