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CONT860: Adult Education

Course Schedule

Session Course Dates Application Deadline Document Deadline Payment Deadline
Winter 2027 Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027 Sunday, January 17, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4pm ET
Spring 2027 Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027 Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, April 1, 2027 at 4pm ET
Late Spring 2027 Monday, May 3, 2027 – Friday, June 25, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, April 27, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, April 29, 2027 at 4pm ET
Summer 2027 Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027 Sunday, June 20, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, June 22, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, June 24, 2027 at 4pm ET
Deadline dates are subject to change.

Winter 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, January 17, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4pm ET

Spring 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, April 1, 2027 at 4pm ET

Late Spring 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, May 3, 2027 – Friday, June 25, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, April 27, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, April 29, 2027 at 4pm ET

Summer 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, June 20, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, June 22, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, June 24, 2027 at 4pm ET

Course Description

This course is designed for Ontario educators seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills in the design and delivery of adult education across various contexts. Grounded in provincial policy, the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice, Indigenous education commitments, equity and accessibility legislation, and current adult learning theories, the course supports you in developing the mindsets, knowledge, and skills required to effectively support diverse adult learners. Through inquiry, reflection, and analysis, you will examine adult education systems, foundational learning theories (such as andragogy and transformative learning), universal design for learning (UDL), culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogy, pathway and transition planning, assessment strategies across adult programs, and collaboration with community partners. You will design authentic adult education artifacts, including visual learner navigation plans, UDL staff learning resources, equity and inclusion improvement plans, pathway-connected learning recommendations, and context-specific assessment snapshots, while critically evaluating systemic barriers and opportunities for improvement.

By the end of this course, you will be able to analyze how identity, prior experience, and life context influence adult learner engagement; apply equity-centred, accessible instructional practices to support adult learner well-being and success; and design authentic, pathway-connected learning and assessment strategies that foster inclusive adult education environments.

  • Turn your AQs into more. Combine any five Queen’s AQ courses to earn a Post-Graduate Certificate and recognize the learning you’ve already completed. You may already be closer than you think.
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What You Will Learn and Do

In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to

  • analyze the structure, policies, and legislative frameworks that shape adult education in Ontario
  • apply adult learning theories to design responsive learning experiences for adult learners
  • analyze how identity, prior experience, and life context influence adult learner engagement and success
  • design accessible learning experiences using universal design for learning and inclusive instructional practices
  • integrate digital and e-Learning strategies to support flexible adult learning environments
  • apply principles of equity and inclusion to address issues of power, privilege, and systemic barriers in adult education contexts
  • apply First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives and ways of knowing in ways that are meaningful, respectful, and appropriate to adult education contexts
  • design authentic pathway-connected learning and assessment strategies that support adult learner goals

Course Outline

Each module includes a variety of resources, such as articles, videos, websites, podcasts and other media, as well as discussion posts, reflective tasks, collaborative tasks, culminating tasks, and assignments.

ModulesMinimum hours
Module 1: Adult Education in Ontario: Context, Policy, and Practice 18
Module 2: Adult Learning Theory and Foundations
Progress Update 1		 17.5
Module 3: Universal Design for Learning and Accessible Instructional Design 18
Module 4: Equity, Power, and Professional Responsibility in Adult Contexts
Progress Update 2		 18.5
Module 5: Supporting Adult Learner Pathways and Transitions
Progress Update 3		 18.5
Module 6: Assessment and Evaluation in Adult Education 18
Module 7: Professional Development Plan
Final Report		 16.5
Total hours 125

Application Requirements

We will use the OCT number you provide during online registration to confirm that you are an OCT member.

Course Materials

There are no additional resources required for this course.

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

Have a question? Contact us!

Refund Schedule

  New refund policies (as of August 10, 2026)

  • If you drop a course before the course begins: 100% refund
  • If you drop a course on or before the 14th day of the course: 75% refund
  • If you drop a course after the 14th day of the course: No refund
Session Course Dates 75% Refund Cut Off Date
Fall 2026Monday, September 28, 2026 – Friday, December 4, 2026October 11, 2026 at 4pm ET
Fall/Winter 2026Monday, November 9, 2026 – Friday, February 5, 2027November 22, 2026 at 4pm ET
Winter 2027Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027February 07, 2027 at 4pm ET
Late Winter 2027Monday, February 15, 2027 – Friday, April 16, 2027February 28, 2027 at 4pm ET
Spring 2027Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027April 18, 2027 at 4pm ET
Late Spring 2027Monday, May 3, 2027 – Friday, June 25, 2027May 16, 2027 at 4pm ET
Summer 2027Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027July 11, 2027 at 4pm ET

  If you have withdrawn from a course, are not eligible for a refund under our published refund policy, and would like to request an exception, please complete the refund appeal form.

Refund Appeal Form