Email your question.
Call 800-847-3000, ext. 2222
Text: 518-623-6321 (SMS only, no phone calls or images. Standard messaging rates apply.)
Schedule a library consultation: with a SUNY Empire librarian on Microsoft Teams.
Adult education opens the door to lifelong learning, personal growth, and career advancement. Whether it’s completing a degree, learning new skills, or exploring personal interests, adult learners bring valuable life and work experience to their educational journey. This guide highlights key concepts in adult education, introduces theories that shape how adults learn best, and provides resources to support success.
Use this guide to explore researching adult education and resources tailored to adult students.
Adult education creates opportunities for growth at every stage of life. It helps individuals:
Reach personal goals – finish a degree, explore new interests, or build confidence.
Advance careers – gain skills to stay competitive in the workforce or prepare for new job opportunities.
Strengthen communities – educated adults contribute to local economies, civic engagement, and lifelong learning cultures.
Promote equity and access – adult education opens doors for those who may not have had traditional opportunities earlier in life.
In summary, adult education empowers learners to shape their futures and enriches both their personal lives and the communities they are part of.
Tutorials to help you use the library, do academic level research, and find resources. Some include: