Postsecondary Adult and Continuing Education

The Postsecondary Adult and Continuing Education (PACE) Program at Portland State University advances students' knowledge and professional skills for a wide variety of careers in higher education, community and non-profit organizations, and training and development sectors across private businesses and public agencies. The 45 credit Master's degree can be completed in 18-24 months with In-person, Hybrid, and Fully On-Line course/degree options. As such, the PACE learning community includes students not only from all parts of Oregon, but from across North America allowing for collaborative learning and shared professional experiences with diverse individual expertise, organizations, and communities.

Students can begin the program any academic term with part-time or full-time enrollment. The CORE classes (16 credits) provide foundational research, conceptual frames, and content knowledge in adult learning and organizational understanding based on educational values of responsive leadership, equitable capacity-building, and social justice advocacy. Students select from one or more THEMATIC SPECIALIZATIONS (25 credits) that are aligned and cross-counted with optional graduate certificates: Student Affairs in Higher Education; Teaching Adult Learners; Service-Learning and Community-Based Learning; Training and Development. Students, in advisement with faculty, can also create their own thematic specialization and enroll in Independent Study and/or Practicum/Internship credit. A final capstone course, PACE Comprehensive Project (4 credits), is a culminating theory-to-praxis experience demonstrating learning, leadership, and advocacy for educational and equity-centered change.