THINKING ABOUT APPLYING TO THE BA IN ADULT EDUCATION?

I am not sure if I meet the entrance requirements. What does "field of practice" mean?

If you have been working with adult learners for at least three years and if you can identify a specific area and aspect of your work that has focussed on adult learners, you may have a "field of practice". For admission to the BA in Adult Education program, you will have demonstrated a field of practice when you satisfy the following 4 requirements:

1. have worked in one or more of the following aspects:
   • instructed adult learners and/or
   • administered programs for adult learners and/or
   • developed programs for adult learners and/or
   • provided educational support services to adult learners,
2. have a minimum of three years of recent practice in your field,
3. have worked with adults in one or more of the following areas:
   • English as a Second Language
   • Distance Education
   • International Education
   • Adult Basic Education/literacy
   • Workplace training
   • Continuing education
   • Vocational/industrial training
   • Postsecondary education
   • Performance technology
   • Community based programs/organizations such as:
     • community services
     • community health
     • community recreation/arts
   • Other areas
4. have recently engaged in a minimum of two types of professional development
   • activities related to your field:
   • reading of professional material
   • membership in related professional associations
   • presentation of reports, workshops, etc.
   • attended workshops, conferences, seminars, etc.  

When may I start the program?

• To begin studies for Summer/06 (May - August): Apply between August 1/05 and March 31/05. 
• To begin studies for Fall/06 (Sept - Dec): Apply between October 1/05 and March 31/06.
• To begin studies for Winter/07 (Jan - April): Apply between August 1/06 and October 31/06.

On the Application Form, indicate the semester you would like to start taking courses at UCFV.

Please note that applying to the program occurs several months prior to your actually registering for specific courses. That gives you time to consult with the Adult Education Department to select the most appropriate course(s) for the semester in which you'll start.

Do I have to be a full-time student?

No. Both part-time and full-time study options are available. The BA in Adult Education program recognizes that adults often prefer part-time study. Students who begin the program should be prepared to take a minimum of one Adult Education course in their first semester.

Will my experience and my non-credit training count toward the degree?

Possibly. Be sure to enquire about prior learning assessment when you talk to the advisor for the BA program. Whether you get credit for your experience and for your non-credit training will depend on your ability to demonstrate that what you have learned from your experience and training relates to the various requirements of the degree program. Remember, credit is awarded for the demonstrated learning you have gained as a result of experience, not simply because you have experience.

The program sounds interesting, but what are its overall objectives?

• Think critically
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Use critical thinking skills to solve complex problems
• Understand the role and function of adult education
• Demonstrate and apply their knowledge of adult learning and adult development to adult education endeavours
• Understand the historical, philosophical and sociological foundations of adult education
• Comprehend the social policy research issues related to adult education

How do I find out about other Adult Education programs offered in BC?

For more information, refer to the pamphlet, Studying Adult Education in British Columbia, Canada: An Overview.

I already have completed a bachelor's degree. If I want the BA in Adult Education as a second degree, what requirements do I need to satisfy?

For a second degree, you will need to complete 60 credits, at least 30 of which must be completed at UCFV. To receive the BA in Adult Education, you will need to ensure that your studies have included the English and Adult Education courses which are required of all program graduates.

I am feeling a little apprehensive about returning to "formal" education. What can I do to prepare? What can I work on while I wait to be accepted into the program?

There are several things you can be doing to get ready to start the BA in Adult Education program. Here are some suggestions:

Brush up on your writing skills. Not only does the UCFV program require six credits of university-level English courses, your other courses will require written assignments which assume that you have writing skills at the post-secondary level. Although effective business communications require strong writing skills, business writing is often very different from the academic style used in post-secondary institutions. If your academic writing skills are rusty or if you lack confidence, enroll in a refresher course. If you have strong writing skills but have not completed the required six credits in English, enroll in an appropriate English course. Most community colleges offer English courses. UCFV has several options. Check with an advisor to help determine what best suits you.

Clarify your career direction. Career and educational planning with a career counsellor can help you learn more about your career goals and the options that will allow you to reach those goals. Information about UCFV career planning workshops is available from Student Services at UCFV.

Find out more about the field of adult education. The field of Adult Education may be new to you. Before you commit your time, energy and money to this particular program, take some time to find out more about the field. Check the library for adult education materials, talk to people who are working in the field, contact faculty who teach in adult education programs. Ask questions. Compare adult education programs to make sure you choose a program that suits your needs.

Complete one of the certificate or diploma programs in adult education which has been approved for credit toward the BA in Adult Education degree. Another way to find out about adult education and, at the same time, begin working on the BA in Adult Education degree, is to complete one of the adult education programs identified in this handout. To be sure that you will receive credit, confirm (in writing) your choice of program with the UCFV advisor for the degree.

Read the UCFV Calendar and the Admissions Guide. If you plan to attend UCFV, you will find many details about support services, application and registration procedures, program requirements, and other valuable information in these two publications. Calendars are available for $8 (plus $3 if you would like the calendar mailed to you). The admissions guide is free.

Begin collecting documents. The documents you gather can help you in two ways. First, you need specific documents to accompany your application to the program. The required documents for admission are listed in the calendar. Second, you need documents to verify your experience and training if you plan to request prior learning assessment or transfer credit. An early start on gathering these documents can speed up the process of having your prior learning assessed.

I don't have a field of practice, but I want to major in adult education. Can I still apply to the program?

Not yet. The BA in Adult Education offers educational opportunities both for experienced practitioners and for students who have an interest in adult education but little or no background in the field. Initially the program will accept only experienced practitioners. As the program develops over the next few years, applicants without a background in adult education but who have completed a recognized post-secondary diploma, certificate or associate degree will also be admitted. Applicants in this category will need to demonstrate their interest in adult education and in developing a field of practice. If your goal is to enter the BA in Adult Education, you can begin your studies now. Review the program requirements. Complete some of these requirements. Get involved in some area and/or aspect of adult education.

I would like to take some Adult Education courses as a way of finding out how I like the subject.

Is it possible to enroll in some Adult Education courses before I apply to the program? Yes. In particular, three courses will introduce you to the field of adult education and the world of the adult learner. You may want to enroll in one of the following courses:

• Adult Education 310: Introduction to Adult Education
• Adult Education 320: Adult Learning
• Adult Education 360: Adult Education in the Canadian Context

To apply and register for these courses, please refer to the UCFV Online Calendar for information on the General Studies Program.

How much does it cost?

UCFV tuition and other fee information is available through the UCFV Admissions & Records web page. You may also wish to budget $60 - $100 per course for resource materials such as textbooks, although this amount can be much higher for courses in the sciences and other areas.

Will the courses be offered so they are convenient for people who do not live in the region?

Yes. The degree program has been designed to accommodate learners in various locations. Seventy-five percent of the total program (i.e. 90 of the required 120 credits required for graduation) can be completed at institutions other than UCFV. In addition, alternative forms of delivery are currently being developed for some courses. Weekend offerings, spring/summer offerings, computer mediated courses and distance delivery are some of the alternatives being developed. Stay in touch with the Adult Education department to confirm dates, location and mode of delivery for upcoming courses.

Who should I contact for more information about the UCFV BA in Adult Education?

Phone 864-4621 to talk with the UCFV advisor or any of the faculty members for the degree program.

For more info about the Adult Education Program, contact: aded@ufv.ca

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