Englisch 
Deutsch 
The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Adult education under the number 1118121c. Who is the Distance Learning Programme in Adult Education (M.A.) Suitable For?
The distance learning programme in Adult Education (Master of Arts) is aimed at individuals who are already working or have gained experience in educational institutions, counselling, programme planning, or educational management. You will particularly benefit if you want to purposefully expand your pedagogical, media didactic, and advisory expertise and qualify for leadership or development roles in the education sector. The course also offers attractive development prospects for career changers with pedagogical professional experience and an interest in media, digitalisation, or organisational development.
Admission Requirements for the Master’s Degree Programme in Adult Education
To be admitted to the Master’s degree programme in Adult Education, you need one of the following access routes:
- First degree (e.g. Bachelor, Diploma, Magister) with at least 180 Credit Points in a subject-relevant area such as education, social sciences, psychology, or related disciplines.
- Alternatively: first degree plus at least 1 year of qualified professional experience in the fields of education, counselling, programme planning or adult education.
- Without a first degree: with completed vocational training, at least 2 years of relevant professional experience and a passed aptitude test (for example, essay, letter of motivation, admission interview).
- Special features: no numerus clausus (NC), no school-leaving exam (Abitur) required. Individual proofs, subject-specific pre-qualifications or additional qualifications may be necessary depending on the entry route.
Personally, you should bring the following prerequisites:
- Experience in the education sector, counselling or programme planning
- Interest in pedagogical and education-related issues
- Willingness for self-directed learning and time management for a part-time distance learning programme (about 20 hours per week)
- Communication skills and openness to digital learning methods
- Self-motivation and determination for long-term development goals in the education sector
What content can you expect in the Master’s in Adult Education (M.A.)?
In the Master’s programme in Adult Education, you will acquire profound pedagogical and organisational competencies across the entire lifespan. The curriculum covers key professional and methodological areas of adult education. The main learning contents include:
- Pedagogy as a science and didactics of adult education: You analyse fundamental concepts, theories and models, develop didactic designs and learn to tailor educational offers to specific target groups.
- Lifespan pedagogy: You engage with education across different life phases and reflect on individual educational biographies.
- Media pedagogy and media didactics: You intensively study digital tools, technologies and the development of media-supported teaching formats for adults.
- Educational management and programme planning: You learn to lead educational organisations, develop programmes, plan resources and efficiently manage the educational process.
- Quality management, educational ethics and sustainability: You address quality standards, ethical issues and sustainable practices in the education sector.
- Educational marketing, counselling and financing: You develop competencies in marketing and economic management of educational offers, and advise individuals and organisations on learning and development issues.
- Educational research: You apply qualitative and quantitative research methods, collect data and analyse it for the further development of educational offers.
In the elective compulsory area, you can set individual priorities, for example in the fields of media and digitalisation, instructional design, management and leadership in the educational context or internationalisation of educational offers. The programme qualifies you to design educational processes based on evidence, take on counselling and leadership roles and develop new learning formats using digital technologies.
What is the procedure of your distance learning at Hochschule Fresenius?
The Master’s programme in Adult Education is entirely organised online and designed for maximum flexibility. You can start on the 1st of any month and set your own learning pace – the standard period of study ranges from 4 to 8 semesters (24 to 48 months) with a total of 120 ECTS. The following elements characterise the course structure:
- Online campus studynet: As a digital learning platform, studynet provides access to all study materials, communication with lecturers, personal study coaches and forums for exchange with fellow students.
- Study magazines (Studymags) and teaching videos: All modules are presented as interactive workbooks, PDFs and ePubs with multimedia content, supplemented by video materials and practical case studies.
- Examination formats: Exams consist of term papers, open-book exams, online exams (available 24/7), presentations or project work – mostly flexible and location-independent. Some on-site exams are possible but kept to a minimum.
- Learning organisation: You plan which modules you take when and in which order. You proceed flexibly between degrees, exams and study progress. A personal study coach supports you with questions on study progress and daily scheduling.
- Individual specialisation: Through elective modules, you can specialise, for example, in media and digitalisation, leadership or international aspects of adult education.
- Online library and additional offers: You receive free access to e-books, specialised databases and further training platforms (e.g. StudyPLUS).
The programme is designed so that you can complete it alongside your employment or with free scheduling. There are no fixed semester dates or compulsory on-site events. Optionally, you can participate in on-site workshops (SaturdayOnly), which are voluntary. Support by study coaches and assistance from experienced lecturers is an integral part of every study phase.
Which career paths does the Master’s in Adult Education open up for you?
As a graduate of the Master’s programme in Adult Education (M.A.), you have access to diverse professional opportunities in the educational landscape. Key fields of activity include:
- Leadership and development roles in educational institutions: e.g. adult education centres, community colleges, academies, continuing education organisations, corporate training or universities.
- Educational management and programme planning: Development, organisation and control of educational offers and learning processes for adults.
- Educational counselling and coaching: Advising companies, organisations and individuals on issues of professional development and lifelong learning.
- Organisational development: Process support and development of change processes in educational departments or companies.
- Digital educational formats: Design, support and marketing of online learning platforms and blended learning offers in the educational sector.
- Leadership and personnel development: Taking on leadership responsibilities in corporate training and continuing education departments, personnel development or educational marketing.
With the competencies acquired, you are qualified for demanding positions at the interface of pedagogy, counselling, management and digitalisation. Many graduates work independently in programme management, educational offer conception, as consultants or in personnel development – both in educational institutions and in companies or public organisations.
What does the distance learning cost and what financing options are available?
The tuition fees for the Master’s in Adult Education vary depending on the chosen payment model:
- 24 months: €549 monthly (with discount: €466.65 per month)
- 36 months: €410 monthly (with discount: €348.50 per month)
- 48 months: €329 monthly (with discount: €279.65 per month)
The total costs usually amount to around €13,176; with promotional discounts (e.g. 15% off certain master’s programmes) you can save up to €2,797. The fees include all regular services:
access to the online learning platform, digital learning materials (Studymags, videos), personal study coaches, access to the online library, examination fees and support.
- Voluntary on-site workshops, travel to examination centres (where required) and printed Studymags must be paid for additionally, but are not compulsory.
- Your own equipment such as PC/laptop and internet access must be provided.
Financing options include:
- Individual instalment payment models – choose the duration and monthly rate that suits you
- Student loans (e.g. KfW student loan) or educational loans
- Scholarship programmes such as the Deutschlandstipendium
- Support from your employer (especially within personnel development)
- Tax deductibility of continuing education costs as business expenses or special expenses
Hochschule Fresenius guarantees transparency and planning security regarding costs – there are no hidden fees. If necessary, you can adjust your cost model during your studies and receive support from the study advisory service for financing questions.
Lade… 
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Adult education? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution Fresenius University of Applied Sciences or the editorial team will answer you.