What is adult education?

I have a doctorate in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. I've spent that last eight years trying to explain Adult Education and what it is I do. (I'm sure some of you can relate to this experience.) I spent three years at SUNY Buffalo State College teaching master's students the history, philosophy and social issues in adult education, trends and issues in adult education, adult development, and research methods. I'm currently at Northern Illinois University and have taught Adult Education in Social Context and Adult Learning to master's and doctoral students.

For those unfamiliar with the field here's my take on it:

Who is an adult educator? Anyone teaching adults in a variety of settings including corporate trainers in business, community college instructors, community leaders in grassroots movements, any one teaching adults a skill...the list long.

Why get a degree in Adult Education? I wanted to learn how to teach adults more effectively. Initally, I thought I'd be teaching psychology courses at a community college since my background is in psychology and counseling psychology.

A master's or doctorate degree gives a person a foundation in adult learning, adult development, the history, philosophy, and social issues in adult education, program planning and administration. Quite often, students can develop an area of specialization within adult education including but not limited to Community Development, Human Resource Development, Gerontology, or any other area of interest.