European Master in Adult Education (2004-2007)

The project developed a core curriculum for adult education in collaboration with nine partners from seven different European countries. The core topics of European adult education were identified. Thereby the group developed six thematic emphases, which were expanded on by a transnational project and the master’s thesis. The curriculum encompasses 70 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) points. The topics are theory, didactics, research, management, marketing and policy.

The core curriculum is now implemented in three European universities. Further partners intend to follow. The different evaluation studies showed that the international profile is relevant for the students starting the study programme. Furthermore, students value the inclusion of international professors and international online courses. Some students described their study situation as a privilege. The English language of the lecture seems to be foremost an emotional barrier for starting the European Master in Adult Education (EMAE) programme. Among the participants the proportion of English teachers as well as male students is high.

The following aspects were identified as effects of the study programme: support for the international development of adult education, support for international networking, initiation of a common discourse in adult education in Europe, and a contribution to a European Qualification Framework for adult education.

Project Leader: Prof. Ekkehard Nuissl von Rein
Research Colleagues: Dr. Mark Bechtel, Arne Carlsen, Regina Egetenmeyer, Prof. Paolo Federighi, Susanne Lattke, Prof. Martin Malciz, Dr. Jyri Manninen, Dr. Henning Pätzold, Dr. Simona Sava, Dr. Teresa Sordé, Dr. Bedrich Zapletal
Time: October 2004 till September 2007
Financing: ERASMUS-Curriculum-Development-Program/European Commission
URL: http://www.uni-due.de/ibw/ibw_EMAE_engl.shtml