B.Ed. Adult Education

Colleges and Faculties > Independent Faculties > Faculty of Education > Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education (ASSED) > B.Ed. Adult Education

The B.Ed. Adult Education programme is designed to prepare you to meet the learning needs of adults, youths and non-traditional learners across formal, non-formal and informal educational settings. The programme equips you with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to support lifelong learning, promote literacy, facilitate community development and design educational programmes tailored to adult learners.

You will develop strong pedagogical, communication and leadership abilities, enabling you to teach, organise, manage and evaluate adult education programmes that address personal, social and economic development needs. Through this training, you will become a professional who empowers individuals, strengthens communities and contributes to national development.

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Education in Adult Education provides you with a comprehensive understanding of adult learning theories, literacy development, community-based education, programme planning, human resource development, and social issues that shape adult learning. The programme blends foundational education courses with specialised adult education courses and practical field experiences.

The degree runs for four years through UTME and three years through Direct Entry, during which you will study the principles and methods of teaching adults, learn to manage adult education centres, explore youth and community development, and engage in research and fieldwork. You will also gain practical experience through micro-teaching, supervised teaching practice and field-based learning in adult literacy centres, community education programmes and workplace training environments.

Course Curriculum

The curriculum for the B.Ed. Adult Education programme covers core areas such as adult learning, management, literacy, community development and educational psychology. It spans 100–400 levels.

You will begin with foundational courses in education and human development, including:

  1. Introduction to Adult Education
  2. History and Philosophy of Adult Education
  3. Foundations of Education
  4. Study Skills and Communication in English
  5. Introduction to Psychology
  6. Nigerian Peoples and Culture

You will explore key concepts in adult learning and programme design through courses such as:

  1. Psychology of Adult Learning
  2. Sociology of Education
  3. Adult Education Methods
  4. Adult Literacy and Numeracy
  5. Statistics in Education
  6. Curriculum Studies

At this stage, you deepen your understanding of adult education operations through courses such as:

  1. Community Development
  2. Programme Planning and Administration in Adult Education
  3. Media and Technology in Adult Learning
  4. Adult Education Research Methods
  5. Non-Formal Education Systems
  6. Human Resource Development

In your final year, you integrate advanced content knowledge with practical experience through courses such as:

  1. Evaluation of Adult Education Programmes
  2. Comparative Adult Education
  3. Entrepreneurship in Adult Education
  4. Teaching Practice
  5. Project/Research Seminar

Entry Requirements

To gain admission into the B.Ed. Adult Education programme, you must satisfy one of the following entry pathways:

1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)

  1. You must have at least five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, and any other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  2. Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant subjects.
  3. Meet the departmental and university cut-off marks.
  4. Demonstrate interest and aptitude for teaching, community development and adult learning.
  5. Satisfy all other general admission requirements of the University.

2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)

  1. You must have five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics and other relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  2. Possess NCE, ND or equivalent qualifications in Education, Social Sciences or related fields with at least a merit or credit grade.
  3. Hold Advanced Level passes in relevant subjects.
  4. Provide academic transcripts and supporting documents during the application.
  5. Meet the University’s general Direct Entry admission regulations.

Why study at OOU?

Studying Adult Education at Olabisi Onabanjo University gives you access to a flexible and dynamic programme that prepares you to support lifelong learning, promote literacy and facilitate community empowerment. The programme is designed to help you understand how adults learn, how communities develop and how educational programmes can be structured to solve real-world problems. You will benefit from:

  1. A curriculum that emphasises literacy development, non-formal education, community organisation, leadership and social change.
  2. Training that prepares you to manage adult learning centres, workplace training programmes and community development initiatives.
  3. Practical experience through micro-teaching, teaching practice and field placements in adult learning environments.
  4. Access to experts in literacy education, community development, programme planning and educational management.
  5. Opportunities to engage with real communities through outreach projects, empowerment initiatives and social programmes.
  6. A strong interdisciplinary foundation that positions you for roles in government agencies, NGOs, education sectors and development organisations.

By choosing this programme, you gain the skills to create meaningful educational opportunities for adults and contribute significantly to personal and community transformation.

Research Project

In your final year, you will complete a research project that allows you to investigate a significant issue in adult education, literacy development, community empowerment or non-formal education. This project demonstrates your ability to conduct research, analyse data and propose interventions that address real educational challenges. Working with your supervisor, you will:

  1. Select a topic related to adult literacy, community education, programme administration, non-formal education or workplace learning.
  2. Apply research methods appropriate for educational and community-based studies.
  3. Collect, interpret and analyse data from adult learners, community groups or educational centres.
  4. Present your findings in a clear, coherent and academically rigorous project report.

Your research project becomes the capstone of your professional development, preparing you for leadership roles in education, training, community development and policy implementation.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Education in Adult Education, you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Academic Requirements

  1. Complete and pass all compulsory and elective courses in the programme.
  2. Earn the minimum credit units prescribed for the four-year degree (UTME) or three-year degree (Direct Entry).
  3. Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.00.
  4. Complete and defend your final-year research project.
  5. Fulfil all teaching practice, micro-teaching and fieldwork requirements.

Grading and Degree Classification

Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:

Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.Ed. Adult Education, a degree that equips you to support lifelong learning, promote literacy, manage community development initiatives and contribute meaningfully to human resource advancement.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Adult Education prepares you for diverse and impactful career paths across education, training, development and social sectors. Your grounding in literacy development, community mobilisation, programme planning and adult learning equips you to work effectively with individuals, organisations and communities.

You may pursue careers such as:

  1. Adult education instructor
  2. Literacy programme facilitator
  3. Community development officer
  4. Non-formal education coordinator
  5. NGO project officer
  6. Workplace training and development specialist
  7. Human resource development officer
  8. Social mobilization officer
  9. Programme planner and evaluator
  10. Guidance and counselling assistant (adult learners)
  11. Research assistant in education and development

You may find employment in:

  1. Government ministries and agencies (Education, Youth, Social Development, Women Affairs)
  2. Adult literacy centres and community education centres
  3. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  4. International development organisations
  5. Corporate organisations offering staff training and development
  6. Community-based organisations
  7. Research institutes and educational planning units

The programme also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate studies in Adult Education, Educational Management, Community Development, Sociology, Development Studies and related fields.

How to Apply?

1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)

  1. Select Olabisi Onabanjo University as your first choice and Adult Education as your preferred programme.
  2. Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects.
  3. Possess at least five O-Level credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics and other acceptable subjects.
  4. Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise and meet the departmental cut-off mark.

2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)

  1. Possess NCE, ND or equivalent qualifications in Education, Social Sciences or related areas with at least a merit or credit grade.
  2. Possess the required O-Level credit passes.
  3. Upload your transcripts and supporting documents through the OOU Undergraduate Admissions Portal.

You may start the application process or check your admission progress through the University’s official admissions portal.

Course Coordinator

The B.Ed. Adult Education programme is managed by a team of dedicated academics and experienced researchers within the Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling, Faculty of Education.

The current programme coordinator is:

Dr [Full Name]

Contact Information:

  • Email:  
  • Phone: 
  • Office: 

Course Overview

  1. Next Admission Process
  2. Current Academic Year
  3. Associated programmes = Undergraduate
  4. Course Duration = 4 Years
  5. Degree = Bachelor of Arts Education (B.A. (Ed.))
  6. Faculty = Education
  7. Course Type = Full Time
  8. Course Delivery = On campus.
  9. Location = Faculty of Education, Main Campus.
  10. Scholarship opportunities