We’ve identified 30 accredited Online Masters in Adult Education for 2024. Compare accredited universities offering this in-demand degree!
When most people think of teachers, they think of people who work with children in school classrooms. But maybe that’s not where your passion lies. Maybe your desire is to equip adults with the information and skills they need for success.
Through the practice of teaching adult learners, also known as andragogy, you can help people better their lives and cultivate their strengths.
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By training to be an adult educator, you can learn what it takes to reach learners in this demographic. Whether you want to work in corporate positions, colleges or community settings, your master’s in education can help you become an effective communicator who can tap into your learners’ motivation.
With an online degree in adult education, you can gain valuable teaching skills without fully rearranging your life. Through the flexibility of online classes, you can earn a graduate degree while working a full-time job or caring for your family.
Master’s in Adult Education Online
Click on the specialization that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
Keep in mind that concentrations are not a necessity. Many schools offer a generalist degree in adult education that can give you an overview of working with adult learners in many different capacities.
Since adult educators can work in a wide variety of settings and teach learners with vastly different needs, you may want to pursue a concentration for your online degree in education. Taking concentration-specific classes can provide a focused education that’s tailored to your career goals.
Adult Education
You could work in a variety of fields, even without a specialized degree in adult education. Your coursework can help you attain the knowledge of how to communicate with and teach adults most effectively.
The main areas of need are in adult literacy, GED education, foreign language learning, and vocational training. You can teach in any of these settings with a general Adult Education degree.
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You might teach adult literacy or English for a community organization or help adult learners earn their GED or vocational certificate at a junior college or career center. You could also take your Adult Education degree into the business world and train employees on the technologies and skills they need to perform their duties and advance in their careers.
Educational Technology
In classes like Multimedia Presentations and Digital Tools for Teaching, you can work on becoming proficient at incorporating technology into your lessons and teaching through online formats.
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This concentration can be perfect for teachers who want to take advantage of all that technology has to offer and possibly teach via online platforms.
Higher Education
You can prepare for a career in a college setting through courses like Postsecondary Curriculum and Testing in College Classes. Many adults go back to school, so this focus can help you have unique training for this demographic.
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You can begin teaching college courses with a master’s degree, but this track can also set you up for pursuing a doctorate in education if you so choose. Earning your terminal degree can open more doors and provide a salary for professors.
Literacy and ESL
If you’re interested in helping undereducated adults and non-English speakers improve their employability, consider pursuing this concentration. You can learn how to help by taking classes like Reading and Writing Instruction.
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With this specialization, you can work side-by-side with adult learners who need the skills you teach. Seeing them learn and succeed can be a very satisfying day’s work, though probably not the highest paying.
Curriculum & Courses
Master’s programs in adult education cover the ways that adults learn and the best strategies for communicating information. The specific courses will vary from school to school, but you may take classes like the following.
- Curriculum and Instruction: Get set to deliver powerful teaching in this class that focuses on choosing materials and presenting them in effective ways.
- Education Methods for Adult Learners: This course features an overview of how adults learn and what motivates them.
- Literacy and Basic Education for Adults: In this class, you can learn to work with adults who have limited reading skills or no high school diplomas.
- Professional Education: In this class, you can learn to lead corporate training sessions or teach adults in continuing education programs.
- Technology-based Learning: Discover ways to make the most of multimedia presentations, online programs, and other digital technologies in educational settings.
You may also have the opportunity to take an assortment of electives. These can help you customize a course of study that’s directly applicable to your career goals.
Master’s in Adult Education Careers
Adult learning takes place in a variety of settings. Both young adults and nontraditional students regularly enroll in courses at vocational schools, community colleges, and universities.
Others aren’t ready for that level of learning and instead need to become fluent readers or speakers of English or to gain high-school-level math and science skills.
Many adults in the workforce need to advance their professional skills, or they must earn continuing education credits. With a master’s degree in adult education, you can teach adult learners in these or other settings.
- Basic education or literacy teacher: In this capacity, you could run GED classes to prepare adults for passing a high-school-equivalency test. You could also help adults learn to read more fluently, or you could teach English as a second language.
- Health educator: Through non-profit organizations, hospital systems, medical clinics, or health departments, you might help people learn to make healthy choices for themselves or their family members.
- Instructional coordinator: To select and supervise the curriculum used in adult education programs and ensure that classes fit together well, consider a career as an instructional coordinator.
- Postsecondary teacher: With a master’s, you may be able to begin teaching students at the college level, especially in community college settings.
- Training and development specialist: You could be a corporate trainer who boosts employee performance, or you could offer classes to adults who need continuing education credits to maintain their licensure status.
- Vocational education teacher: In this role, you can help adults learn skilled trades so that they can launch new careers. Your area of expertise might involve automotive, culinary, electrical, healthcare, or welding skills, and you may need certifications in your field.
Some roles, such as adult literacy teachers, have a declining number of positions available, but others, such as health educators, are expected to increase by as much as 13% over the next few years.
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Salary for Adult Educators
Adult education can be a personally fulfilling career path, and it can also help you earn a reliable income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some careers in the adult education field include:
- Postsecondary teacher: $80,790 per year
- Instructional coordinator: $66,970 per year
- Training and development specialist: $62,700 per year
- Basic education or literacy teacher: $55,350 per year
- Vocational education teacher: $59,140 per year
- Health educator: $56,500 per year
Salaries typically increase with experience, and they can vary greatly throughout the country.
For example, training and development specialists generally make anywhere from $33,900 to $107,060 annually. The average specialist earns $56,540 a year in Utah but could make $80,520 in Washington.
Licenses and Certifications
The line of work you plan to pursue will determine what certifications or licenses you should get.
- Adult Learning Certificate: Enhance your competence as an adult educator with this program from the Association for Talent Development.
- Certified Performance Management Professional: Earn this certification from The KPI Institute by participating in a three-day intensive course.
- Certified Professional in Learning and Performance: Pursue this certification from the Association for Talent Development to demonstrate your advanced knowledge in instructional design or corporate training.
- Certified Professional in Training Management: This certification from Training Industry can be useful for those interested in advancing workplace knowledge.
- International Society for Technology in Education Certification: Consider ISTE’s program if you use technology to enhance your teaching endeavors.
- Online Teaching Certificate: Enroll in this program from the Online Learning Consortium to improve your skills as a digital educator.
- Teaching license: For some adult education jobs, such as running a GED program, you may need to be a licensed teacher. Requirements for teaching licenses vary from state to state.
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): If you want to help others become fluent in the English language, you should pursue TESOL certification from the TESOL International Association or another organization.
For some of these certifications, you may need to complete additional studies after graduation.
Professional Associations for Adult Educators
Teaching adults can be very different from teaching kids. To network with others who understand what it’s like to work with adult learners, consider joining a professional organization in this field.
- American Association for Adult and Continuing Education: AAACE encourages research, professional standards and networking opportunities in adult education.
- Coalition on Adult Basic Education: COABE advocates for learning and literacy opportunities for undereducated adults.
- Correctional Education Association: CEA members provide education for people in the correctional system.
- National Association of State Directors of Adult Education: State adult education staff can join NASDAE for professional development and public policy advocacy.
Becoming a member of one of these groups may give you access to industry publications, discussion boards, training opportunities, conferences, job listings, discounts, and other resources.
Accreditation
To ensure that you’re earning a reputable degree that will serve you well in the years to come, you must attend a regionally accredited institution. Otherwise, your credits may not transfer elsewhere, and you may not be eligible for federal financial aid. In addition, potential employers may not hold your degree in high regard.
You can save yourself this sort of trouble by attending a school approved by one of the country’s official regional accreditors.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) maintains the list of organizations, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), that are approved to evaluate whether schools meet the required standards for academics, student support, and ethical leadership.
Check the accreditation of the university you want to apply to on the U.S. Department of Education’s database.
Financial Aid
Many master’s students receive financial aid from the federal government. To learn about federal loans, grants, or work-study options you might be able to get, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
This document may also help you obtain financial aid from your state.
Other financial aid options include scholarships and grants from private sources. You can look for national scholarship programs or pursue funds from organizations in your community. Your university may also offer scholarships or give you the opportunity to set up a payment plan.
If you plan to use your master’s degree to better serve your current company, they may be willing to cover part of your tuition costs. Talk to your human resources department about whether that’s an option.
What is a Master’s in Adult Education?
In many ways, teaching adults requires a different skill set than the one required for leading classrooms of youngsters. In a master’s degree program for adult education, you can acquire the specialized knowledge that is needed for working with adult learners.
Your coursework can help you learn about the education process from beginning to end. You can also explore the ways that adults assimilate new knowledge and use that foundation to think about curriculum design and instructional methods.
If your goal is to help adults develop their knowledge base and acquire new skills, then this degree program could be a good fit for you.
Should I Get a Master’s in Adult Education?
Teaching others can be a fulfilling career because it can give you opportunities to help others improve their lives and their professional success. To enter this field for the first time or to advance your current teaching career, you should consider earning a master’s degree in adult education.
Studying in this field can give you a thorough understanding of the processes involved in knowledge acquisition and how to work with adults in a variety of settings. This understanding is a versatile skill that can help you pursue work with community organizations, health departments, community colleges, or consulting firms.
However, if you are more interested in working with younger students or students with special needs, you may want to look into an online masters in special education instead. Or, you may even consider pursuing an online education leadership doctorate program after you receive your master’s degree.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master’s in Adult Education?
It’s common for graduate programs in adult education to require 30-39 credit hours of study. It typically takes students about two years to earn them.
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Adult Education?
A master’s program in adult education can prepare you to teach adult learners in nearly any setting. You might help people get basic skills for a GED or through ESL, literacy, or community health programs. You might also provide more advanced knowledge in vocational, college, or business settings.
What Are the Benefits of Earning My Master’s in Adult Education Degree Online?
Accredited online programs are held to the same standards as on-campus ones, so digital classes are a great way to get a high-quality education in a convenient format.
You may be able to earn your degree without quitting your job, moving far from home, or paying exorbitant fees.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Adult Education Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Ashland University is a privately-owned school that has a 135-acre suburban campus in Ashland, Ohio. It was established in 1878 after a successful $10,000 fundraising campaign by the German Baptist Brethren Church and the Ashland community. The current student enrollment is at about 6,000.
Their sports teams are called the “Eagles,” and they play in the NCAA Division II.
- Master of Education in Adult Education
Ashland University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Auburn University is a public university that has an 1,843-acre college town campus in Auburn, Alabama. It was established in 1856, and three years later came to be administrated by the Methodist Church. The current student enrollment is at about 30,000. Their sports teams are called the “Tigers,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult Education
- Master of Science in Adult Education
Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Ball State University is a state-run research university that has a 1,140-acre campus in Muncie, Indiana. It was established in 1918 with an initial student census of 235. The current student enrollment is at about 23,000, about 17,000 of which are undergrads. Their sports teams are called the “Cardinals,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Arts in Adult and Community Education
BSU is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
City University of Seattle is a privately operated university that has headquarters in Seattle, Washington and campuses in Canada, China, Czech Republic, Mexico, Vietnam, Switzerland, and Slovakia. It was established in 1973 to educate working adults. The current student enrollment is at about 7,000. They are affiliated with the National University System.
- Master of Education in Adult Education and Instructional Design
City University of Seattle holds regional institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Cleveland State University is a state-run research university that has an 85-acre urban campus in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 after the acquisition of a former YMCA-run school. The current student enrollment is at about 17,000, approximately 12,000 of which are undergrads. Their sports teams are called the “Vikings,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult, Professional & Higher Education
Cleveland State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Colorado State University is a state-run research university that has an urban campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. It was established in 1870 through a land grant. The current student enrollment is at about 34,000, approximately 29,000 of which are taking up online degree programs. Their sports teams are called the “Rams,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Education and Human Resource Studies – Adult Education and Training
Colorado State is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
East Carolina University is a state-run research university that has a 530-acre main urban campus in Greenville, North Carolina. It was established in 1907 as a normal school for training teachers. The current student enrollment is at about 29,000, approximately 23,000 of which are undergrads. Their sports teams are called the “Pirates,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult Education
East Carolina University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Florida Atlantic University is a state-run research university that has an 850-acre urban campus in Boca Raton, Florida. It was established in 1961on the Boca Raton Army Airfield. The current student enrollment is at about 30,000, approximately 24,000 of which are undergrads. Their sports teams are called the “Owls,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult and Community Education Leadership
FAU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Indiana University Bloomington is a state-run research university that has a 1,937-acre small city campus in Bloomington, Indiana. It was established in 1820 and is considered as a “Public Ivy” University. The current student enrollment is at about 43,000, approximately 33,000 of which are undergrads. Their sports teams are called the “Hoosiers,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult Education
Indiana University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
James Madison University is a state-run research university that has a 721-acre small city campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was established in 1908 as a normal school that offered technical courses. The current student enrollment is at about 23,000, approximately 21,000 of which are undergrads. Their sports teams are called the “Dukes,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult Education – Human Resource Development
James Madison University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Kansas State University is a state-run university with a strong focus on research. It operates a 668-acre college town campus in Manhattan, Kansas. It was established in 1863 as a land grant school. The current student enrollment is at about 22,000. Their sports teams are called the “Wildcats,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Science in Adult Learning and Leadership
Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Marshall University is a state-run research university that manages a 100-acre urban campus in Huntington, West Virginia. It was established in 1837 as a privately owned subscription school. The current student enrollment is at about 13,000. Their sports teams are called the “The Thundering Herd,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Science in Adult & Continuing Education – Adult Education and Evaluation
- Master of Science in Adult & Continuing Education – Career and Technical Center Teaching
Recently reaffirmed for 10 years, Marshall University is formally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
North Carolina State University is a state-run research university that manages a 2,110-acre urban campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was established in 1887 as a land grant school that offered practical as well as classical studies. The current student enrollment is at about 35,000. Their sports teams are called the “Wolfpack,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult and Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Science in Adult and Continuing Professional Education
North Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a state-run university with a 916-acre rural campus in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It was established in 1884 as a state-run normal school built on a property that used to be a convent. The current student enrollment is at about 11,000. Their sports teams are called the “Demons” and “Lady Demons,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Development – Adult and Workforce Development
- Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Development – Homeland Security
- Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Development – e-Learning
Northwestern State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Oregon State University a state-run, research university with a 400-acre college town campus in Corvallis, Oregon. It was established in 1868 through a land grant but traces its origins to a community school founded by the Freemasons. The current student enrollment is approximately 31,000. Their sports teams are called the “Beavers,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education
Oregon State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Penn State is a state-owned university that has a 7,343-acre college town campus in University Park, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1855, the original name of which was the Farmer’s High School of Pennsylvania. There are now approximately 100,000 students enrolled. The school’s sports teams are called the “Nittany Lions,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Association.
Point Park University is a privately owned liberal arts school that operates an urban campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1960 but traces its origins to a small business school teaching 50 students out of one room. The current student enrollment is at about 4,000. Their sports teams are called the “Pioneers,” and they play in the NAIA-RSC.
- Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Training
Point Park University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Rutgers is a state-operated research university with 3 campuses totaling to 6,000 acres in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden. It was established in 1766 and is now the largest school for higher education in New Jersey. The current enrollment is about 70,000. They are called the “Scarlet Knights,” “Scarlet Raiders,” and “Scarlet Raptors,” respectively, and they play in NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult and Continuing Education
Rutgers is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (1921), and in 1989, became a member of the Association of American Universities.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is a privately-operated university that has a campus in Standish, Maine. It was established in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, and as such, maintains a strong affiliation with the Catholic Church. The current student enrollment is at about 3,000. Their sports teams are called the “Monks,” and they play in the NCAA Division III.
- Master of Science in Education – Adult Education & Training
Saint Joseph’s College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc.
Seattle University is a privately operated university that has a 50-acre urban campus in Seattle, Washington. It was established in 1898 and was administrated by the Jesuits; it maintains a strong affiliation with the Catholic Church to this day. The current student enrollment is at about 7,000. Their sports teams are called the “Redhawks,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Arts in Education – Adult Education and Training
- Master of Education in Adult Education and Training
Seattle University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Texas A&M University is a state-operated research university that has a 5,500-acre college town campus in College Station, Texas. It was established in 1871 with only 48 students in the first semester. The current student enrollment exceeds 69,000. Their sports teams are called the “Aggies,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Science in Educational Human Resource Development – Adult Education
Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Troy University is a state-operated school with an 820-acre college town campus in Troy, Alabama. It was established in 1887 as a normal school to train future educators. It is now the flagship school for the Troy University System. The current student enrollment exceeds 18,000. Their sports teams are called the “Trojans,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Science in Adult Education – Curriculum and Instruction Design
- Master of Science in Adult Education – Instructional Technology
- Master of Science in Adult Education – Leadership in Workforce Development
Troy University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
The University of Arkansas is a state-operated research university with a 412-acre college town campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was established in 1871 through a land grant. It is the flagship school for the University Arkansas System. The current student enrollment is approximately 30,000. Their sports teams are called the “Razorbacks,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning
The University of Arkansas continues to be an accredited institution of higher education, following a decision by the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Georgia a state-run, research university with a 762-acre main campus in Athens, Georgia with additional land all over Georgia, exceeding 39,000 acres. It was established in 1785 through a land grant. The current student enrollment is approximately 38,000. Their sports teams are called the “Georgia Bulldogs” and the “Lady Bulldogs,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Education in Learning, Leadership and Organizational Development – Adult Learning
University of Georgia is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Houston – Victoria is a state-run university with a 20-acre suburban campus in Victoria, Texas. It shares a few school facilities (gym, 4-story library, bookstore, and student center) with neighboring Victoria College.
It was established in 1973 with 100 students. The current student enrollment exceeds 4,000. Their sports teams are called the “Jaguars,” and they play in the NAIA Division I.
- Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education – Adult Education
- Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education – Discipline & Instruction
- Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education – Higher Education
The University of Houston-Victoria is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Idaho is a state-run research university with a 1,585-acre rural campus in Moscow, Idaho. It was established in 1889 through a land grant on a former uranium mine. The current student enrollment exceeds 11,000. Their sports teams are called the “Vandals,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Science in Adult Organizational Learning & Leadership
The University of Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The University of Tennessee – Knoxville is a state-run, research university with a 600-acre main campus in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was established in 1794, a full two years before Tennessee was officially made a state. The current student enrollment is approximately 30,000. Their sports teams are called the “Volunteers” and the “Lady Volunteers,” and they play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Science in Educational Psychology – Adult Education
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been continuously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of West Alabama is a public university with a 600-acre main campus in Livingston, Alabama. It was established in 1835 as a female-exclusive school that was affiliated with Presbyterianism. The current student enrollment exceeds 5,000. Their sports teams are called the “Tigers,” and they play in the NCAA Division II.
- Master of Science in Adult Continuing Education – Counseling and Psychology
- Master of Science in Adult Continuing Education – Library Media
The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Valdosta State University is a state-run member school of the University System of Georgia. It operates a 168-acre campus in Valdosta, Georgia. It was established in 1906 as a female-exclusive normal school that offered 2-year training courses for future teachers.
The current student enrollment exceeds 11,000. Their sports teams are called the “Blazers,” and they play in the NCAA Division II.
- Master of Education in Adult and Career Education
Valdosta State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Western Kentucky University is a state-run university with a 200-acre campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was established in 1906 but traces its history to a private institution called the Glasgow Normal School and Business College established in 1876. The current student enrollment exceeds 20,000.
Their sports teams, called the “Hilltoppers” and “Lady Hilltoppers,” play in the NCAA Division I.
- Master of Arts in Education – Adult Education
Western Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
Hit the Books!
To teach, you first have to learn. Here’s how to get where you want to be in a few easy steps.
- Decide if you want to specialize or go for a general adult education degree.
- Narrow down which schools offer your intended degree.
- Research and apply for financial aid.
- Apply to 5-8 universities.
Once you’re accepted, take as many classes online classes as you can comfortably fit (or maybe a little uncomfortably) into your schedule so that you can graduate and re-enter the workforce with your new degree as quickly as possible.
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