MINNEAPOLIS, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of adult learners is expected to increase by nearly 20 percent in the coming years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, creating one of the fastest growing areas of education today. The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University is introducing a new M.S. in Adult Learning degree program to help meet the demand for education professionals who can design, deliver and manage courses and programs for this unique population.

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This new online master's degree can help prepare educators to understand the motivations and aspirations specific to adult learners including how to help this population achieve their education goals. Students in the program will examine emerging trends and research in the field and learn how best to help adult learners build skills that enhance success in today's dynamic workplace.

As more adults seek to update their skills, the demand for educators of adult students is projected to increase in a variety of environments, including higher education; community college education; corporate and nonprofit workforce development; continuing and community education; distance learning; healthcare; and military, government and religious education. Students in the M.S. in Adult Learning program can choose from the General Program or one of four specializations: Developmental Education, Online Teaching, Teaching Adults English as a Second Language or Training and Performance Improvement.

The new M.S. in Adult Learning degree program joins the Riley College of Education and Leadership's suite of adult education programs and specializations, which includes M.S. in Higher Education, M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology, Ph.D. in Education and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu/education.

About Walden University

For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 42,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 55 online and campus-based universities in 27 countries.

Walden offers more than 50 degree programs with more than 225 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.

SOURCE Walden University