The paper argues that a reconceptualization of adult education around lifelong learning and globalization requires a rethinking of curricular and research issues. The paper highlights curricular issues involved in creating in such a reconceptualization. It does this by juxtapositioning the objectives and goals of this “new focus with the CPAE’s Standards for Graduate Programs. Objectives and goals are suggested that revolve around integrated notions of learning that account for the impact of globalization on learning as inseparable from political and social processes