Adult education refers to programs that prepare scholars to teach, train, or coach adult learners. Adult educators may teach courses to prepare adults for the GED or other high school equivalency or provide professional development courses for working professionals.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.

Part time learning allows one to obtain part-time degrees even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at his or own pace, gradually accumulating credits which count towards final qualification.