Adult Education
ufv.ca/aded

Bachelor of Arts (Adult Education) degree

The Bachelor of Arts (Adult Education) degree is a unique mid-career professional development program for people who are instructing, administering, developing programs for, or providing educational support to adult learners. The program consists of 120 credits, which may be achieved through a combination of coursework, credit for prior experience, and transfer credit. Most students are part-time students, taking one or two courses per semester. The program offers students the opportunity to link practical and theoretical course work to the challenges they meet in their work setting, while enhancing their knowledge, skills, and appreciation of the field of adult education.

Entrance requirements for students entering in September 2012

1. To be eligible for admission to the BA (Adult Education), you must have acquired a field of expertise equivalent to three years full-time practice in any of the following areas:

• Teaching adults
• Development of educational programs for adults
• Administration of education programs for adults
• Counselling/advising adults
• Providing educational support services to adult learners
• Any other area related to the practice of adult education

The field of expertise may have been acquired through a combination of previous training and education, and/or related experience.

2. Applicants must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see English language proficiency requirement in the Admissions section of the calendar.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Adult Education Studies program path.

Entrance requirements for students entering in September 2013

Requirements for all applicants

1. All applicants must have one of the following:

• a minimum grade of C+ over English 12 plus two Approved Grade 12 courses; or
• the prerequisites for ENGL 105, and a minimum of C+ over three Approved Grade 12 courses; or
• a minimum of 9 post-secondary credits, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.0 on all university credits attempted.

2. Applicants must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see English language proficiency requirement in the Admissions section of the calendar.

3. Applicants must provide high school transcripts, and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions they have attended.

Applicants meeting these standards may then apply for admission to the BA (AdEd) under Option 1 or Option 2.

Option 1

1. Applicants must have three or more years of demonstrable experience and development within the field of adult education. This may include experience and/or development in any of the following areas:

• Teaching adults
• Development of educational programs for adults
• Administration of educational programs for adults
• Counselling/advising adults
• Providing educational support services to adult learners
• Any other area related to the practice of adult education

2. Applicants applying under this option must submit a resume, and arrange for at least two letters of reference from workplaces or employers, addressing the applicant’s experience related to adult education. The letters of reference must be submitted in a sealed envelope directly to UFV Admissions and Records.

Admissibility will be assessed based on the information provided in the applicant’s resume, questionnaire, and the letters of reference.

Option 2

1. Applicants must have completed a diploma, 30-credit certificate, or associate degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution.

2. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in the field of adult education, ideally with a developing field of practice.

Admissibility will be assessed based on transcripts of previous educational experience and on the information provided in the applicant’s resume and questionnaire.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Adult Education Studies program path.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Submit the application fee along with your UFV application for admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/ar/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any A&R or Student Services office, or directly from the Adult Education department office in Abbotsford.

Along with the application form and the application fee, also attach the following documents:
 a. Completed questionnaire outlining work experience, prior training and education, and learning goals (available at ufv.ca/ar/forms).
 b. Resume.

2. You will be advised of an admission decision. Following notification of admission to the program, students must contact the program advisor in order to create a program plan for their studies.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Program planning

Applicants seeking credit in the program for previous credentials or educational experience must obtain official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended, and proof of any previously earned trades qualifications, certificates, or diplomas. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details. Submit all other official documents directly to the UFV Admission and Records office. These documents are required to assist in planning the program of study.

Program length and locations

The length of time required for program completion depends on the number of courses taken per semester, and the number of credits awarded through transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

The majority of courses are offered on the Abbotsford campus. Courses may be offered online, in a face-to-face format, or with a combination of online and face-to-face components. Some face-to-face courses may require students to have Internet access to use online full-text materials.

Program requirements

Note: The BA (Adult Education) program will be changing in September 2013. Students admitted prior to Fall 2013 will follow the program requirements listed below. The new program requirements can be found in the draft 2013/14 calendar.

The BA (Adult Education) program requires completion of 120 credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. A minimum of 30 credits must be from UFV credit offerings. At least 45 credits must be from upper-level courses.

Program elements

A. All of:

B. A minimum of 15 upper-level credits in Adult Education, any or all of which may be selected from:

Note: Some examples of ADED 330 topics are:
• ADED 330C: Education for Health
• ADED 330I: Adult Literacy Education

C. Any two of:

D. A minimum of nine credits in:

This requirement can be satisfied in many ways. One option is to complete all of ADED 408, ADED 472, and ADED 345/CMNS 345.

E. A minimum of six credits in English

F. A minimum of 15 credits of:

G. Other electives: (see Note 2)

Note 1: It is highly recommended that BA Adult Education students take these courses early in their program.

Note 2: One of ADED 200 (Portfolio Development for Prior Learning Assessment) or ADED 472 (Portfolio Development for the Reflective Practitioner) is recommended for students who will be requesting credit for learning documented in a portfolio.

Workload and expectations

Coursework in the program combines theory and practice. Students should expect to spend at least three hours of study and preparation outside of class for each hour of class time.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition and transfer credit

Within the terms and conditions of program completion outlined above, any or all of the following types of credit (to a maximum of 90 credits in total) may be used in attaining credit to be used towards the BA in Adult Education.

1. Transfer Credit: Up to 90 credits are available through evaluation of previous studies.

2. Portfolio Assessment: A maximum of 30 credits can be obtained through portfolio assessment. The portfolio is prepared normally as part of a UFV credit course (ADED 200 or ADED 472). Credits awarded through portfolio assessment will not necessarily be transferable to other degree programs or institutions.

3. Course Challenge: these are credits which are awarded through a specifically arranged process, by which a student demonstrates mastery of course objectives without taking the course. Regulations related to course challenge are outlined in the PLAR section of this calendar.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.