Guide to Masters in Education
A masters degree in education (M.Ed., MA.Ed., MS, MA, MAT, etc.) can include majors such as administration, counseling, curriculum & instruction, elementary education, secondary education, higher education, general education, special education, and many more. Below, you can browse some of the top-ranked accredited universities that offer masters degrees in education for aspiring teachers, teachers looking to further their careers, or those looking to become administrators.
M.Ed. in General Ed. M.Ed. in Secondary Ed. M.Ed. in Teaching M.Ed. in Elementary Edu. M.Ed. in Special Ed. |
Liberty University – Liberty University is one of the top schools offering online, accredited degree programs. We have several Masters in Education degrees for students to select and specialize in the field of their interest, including Teaching, General Education, Secondary Education Elementary Education, and Special Education. These degrees are for student who want to advance their careers in a relatively short time. |
MS: Educational Psychology MS: Online Learning MS: Higher Education |
Capella University – Capella University has many Masters in Education degrees available online and onsite. These accredited courses have practical, hands-on assignments that engage students and place them in the center of a fast-growing field. These degrees are for students who are interested in to becoming an Educational Psychologist, an Online Learning Instructor, or even enter Higher Education. |
MS in Education MA in Teaching MSHE in Student Affairs MSHE in College Admin. MSE in Instructional Tech |
Kaplan University – Kaplan offers a variety of accredited online Masters in Education programs, each designed to meet the specific goals of students who want to: obtain a masters in education, obtain a teaching license after getting their undergraduate degree in something other than teaching, become a school counselor, become a school principal , or teach college courses, develop K-12 curriculum, or develop college level curriculum. |
M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership M.Ed. in National Board Prep M.Ed. in Gifted Students M.Ed. in STEM M.Ed. in TESOL (ESL) More M.Ed. Degrees… |
University of Cincinnati – U of Cincinnati, a national leader in education programs offers a wide array of master in education online degrees. These include programs for; becoming a teacher leader, becoming a school principal, and developing innovative curriculum. In addition, MEd programs are focused to prepare teachers to teach specific subjects, these include: gifted students, teaching pre K thru 6th math, as well as obtain a reading certification, teach special education, (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math, and ESL or English as a Second Language classes. |
MA in Edu. & Human Dev. MA in Educational Tech. |
George Washington University – GWU’s accredited online Masters in Education programs are ranked in the top 35 in US News’s most recent rankings. One designed for those that want to become a school principal, while the other for those that want to develop educational curriculum, both are fully online degrees that can be completed relatively quickly and on your own schedule. |
M.Ed. in Administration M.Ed. in School Counseling M.Ed. in Instructional Design M.Ed. in Curriculum & Inst. M.Ed. in Science Edu M.Ed. in Reading & Lang. M.Ed. in Applied Linguistics |
University of Massachusetts – One of the nation’s leading universities, UMass offers a number of online programs. Their accredited online Masters in Education programs are designed to meet a variety of career goals. They include accredited programs for those that want to become school administrators, or school counselors, develop curriculum and implement instruction methods, become science teachers, become reading and language teachers, or even become ESL teachers. |
MS in Curriculum & Inst. MS in Middle Level Edu. MS in Edu. Leadership MS in Elementary Literacy MS in Grades 6-8 Math |
Walden University – Walden University is among the largest educators with thousands of accredited degrees offered. Several degrees are offered in the field of Education at the Masters level alone. Even better, classes can be taken online and at the campus. Walden has several degrees available for students interested in Masters in Education programs, including Curriculum and Instruction, Middle Level Education, Educational Leadership, Elementary Literacy, and Middle Level Math. |
MA: Current Teachers MA: Aspiring teachers MA: TESOL |
University of Southern California – USC, a respected provider of online and onsite education, is an affordable option for students looking to further their careers in education. You will learn high-demand skills and retain knowledge that can be applied to real-world applications. Student have various online, accredited degrees to select from like Teaching, Aspiring Teachers, and TESOL. |
MEd in Athletic Admin MEd in eLearning MEd in Global Training MEd in Early Childhood Ed More... |
Northcentral University – For students who are seeking to advance their careers in education, Northcentral University has crafted many online programs that offer a unique learning experience to each student. These online programs also provide more flexibility and convenience than campus programs and can be completed at a pace that is comfortable. Students can specialize in a field of their choice like Athletic Admin, eLearning, Global Training & Development, and Early Childhood Education. |
MA in Distance Learning MA in Curriculum & Inst. MA in Early Childhood Ed. MA in Higher Education |
Ashford University – Ashford University presents itself as an affordable, respected college with accredited online and campus programs available. This choice gives students more options in deciding what program best fits their needs, preferences, and schedule. Graduate will be able to seek high level positions specializing in Distance Learning, Higher Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or Early Childhood Education. |
MAEd in Administration MAEd in Early Child Ed. MAEd in Elementary Ed. MAEd in Secondary Ed. MAEd in Adult Ed. MAED in Special Ed. |
University of Phoenix – UofP offers the widest range of masters in education online programs. Some of the most popular include those designed for; becoming a school administrator, developing school curriculum, obtaining teacher leadership credentials, teaching early child education, teaching elementary child education, teaching secondary education, or teaching adult education. In addition, Phoenix offers online master in education degrees for those that want to teach special education. |
M.Ed. in Administration M.Ed. in Early Ed. M.Ed. in Elementary Ed. M.Ed. in Secondary Ed. M.Ed. in Special Ed. M.Ed. in E.S.L. |
Grand Canyon University – GCU offers multiple online master of education degree programs, such as programs for those that want to become a principal, work in early education, work in elementary education, work with middle school aged students, teach special ed students, or teach ESL. The curriculum follows the industry’s standards and best practices which in turn provides students with a better understand of the current work environment. |
M.Ed. in Instructional Design M.Ed. in Curriculum & Inst. M.Ed. in Leadership |
American Intercontinental University – AIU is a top provider of accredited education with degrees in almost every subject at every level. AIU uses industry standards and best practices along with hands-on assignments to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. All of the Masters in Education degrees, including Instructional Design, Curriculum and Instruction, and Leadership; are designed to enable students to further theor careers. |
MS in Higher Education MS in Special Education MS in Learning Tech MS in Edu Admin |
Drexel University – Drexel University, a highly-regarded provider in education, has many masters in education online programs for students to choose from. This wide selection gives students greater control of their careers and where to direct their field of interest. Drexel has a variety of online programs including MS in Special Education, MS in Learning Technologies, MS in Edu Admin, and MS in Higher Education. |
M.Ed. in Administration M.Ed. in Curriculum & Inst. |
California Coast University – California Coast offers multiple online masters in education programs. Their Education Administration program is designed for those who want to become a school administrator, whereas the curriculum & instruction degree is designed for those who want to help develop innovative school curriculum and learning methods. Both degrees allow student to pursue high level jobs with lucrative careers in the Education field. |
M.Ed. in Leadership & Admin M.Ed. in Adult Education M.Ed. in e-Learning Design M.Ed. in K-12 Technology |
Jones International University – Students seeking Masters in Education degrees, should consider the wide variety of accredited programs available at JIU. The online programs in particular, allow students to complete assignments and materials at a pace that is comfortable to them. The degrees cover a vast array of roles in the Education Industry including Leadership and Admin, e-Learning Tech and Design, Adult Education, and K-12 Instructional Tech. |
MEd in Teaching MEd in Instructional Design |
Post University – Post University has two masters in education degrees available through online programs for students who want to advance their careers quickly: MEd in Teaching and MEd in Instructional Design and Technology. Post University has over 100 years of experience in helping students obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to fill positions high in demand. |
MS in Education (MSEd) MSEd: College Admin MSEd: Leadership MSEd: Teaching & Learning |
Keiser University – As one of the leading colleges in online and campus education, Keiser University is backed by years of experience in helping student start or advance their careers. The Masters in Education degrees offered at KU place students in the center of an ever-growing field that is always in need of high demand for industy professionals, like College Administrators, Educational Leaders, and Teachers. |
M.Ed. in Edu. Management M.Ed. in Technology in Edu M.Ed. in Adult Education |
Strayer University – Strayer is a leader in accredited online education. Their online masters in education management is designed for those who are focused on becoming a school administrator, whereas their MEd in Technology in Education degree is designed for those who want to develop education curriculum, and finally, their MEd in Adult Education, is for those who want to become a college professor or teach at a post-graduate level. |
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Search M.Ed. Degrees
A Master of Education degree can help teachers earn a better salary, secure tenure at an educational institution, and sharpen their skills in a particular specialty. Educators with a master’s degree can also take on administrative roles or even do educational research. Getting a Master of Education takes serious work, and likely some practical experience in a classroom or other professional setting, but the opportunities the degree affords you will be well worth the prep work.
Specializations for Master of Education Students
The basic types of master’s degrees in the education field are M.Ed., Master of Arts in education (MA), and Master of Science in education (MS), but each of these is subdivided into many, many areas of expertise.
Many other specialties for Master of Education candidates exist. If you are already a teacher and want to earn more money or have greater responsibility at your school, consider a Master of Education in a field that inspires you.
Adult Education & Training
- Masters in Adult Education (M.Ed., MS)
- Masters in Continuing Education (MS)
- Masters in Corporate Training (MA, M.Ed., MS)
Curriculum & Instruction
- Masters in Curriculum & Instruction (MA, M.Ed., MS)
- Masters in Education Assessment & Evaluation (MA, M.Ed., MS)
- Masters in Educational & Instructional Technology (MA, M.Ed., MS)
- Masters in High Performance Instruction (MA)
- Masters in Instructional Design & Development (M.Ed., MS)
- Masters in Instructional Leadership (M.Ed.)
Different Needs Education
- Masters in Differentiated Instruction (M.Ed.)
- Masters in Gifted Education (M.Ed.)
- Masters in Special Education (MA, M.Ed., MS)
Educational Counseling & Psychology
General Education
- Masters in Early Childhood Education (MA, M.Ed., MS)
- Masters in Education (M.Ed., MS)
- Masters in Elementary Education (MA, M.Ed.)
- Masters in K-12 Education (MS)
- Masters in Middle-Level Education (MA, MS)
- Masters in Secondary Education (MA, M.Ed., MS)
Online or On Campus: Where Should You Get Your Master of Education?
There are many accredited Master of Education programs available online, but some specialties are underrepresented. Once you know which subject you want to pursue your master’s degree in, look around this site for online colleges that offer the degree you want. You can also get this degree through a combination of online and offline courses, or by taking courses online and getting practical experience and internship credit by working or volunteering at an actual school.
Technology is making it easier and easier to use the “hybrid” model of education, which blends online courses with real world experience for a more convenient, potentially less expensive education. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you see whether online, on-campus, or a combination is best for you:
- Do you have a job that you can’t afford to quit, or a family that needs you around? If so, doing part or most of your degree online can allow you a more flexible schedule so you don’t have to sideline your work or kids.
- Can you stay focused when reading academic materials online, or do you constantly get distracted by Facebook or other online time suckers?
- Are you good at making a plan and following through? Can you decide on a time to do classwork and stick to it, or do you procrastinate and do your assignments at the last minute? If the latter sounds like you, regular contact with a professor in an actual classroom might be a valuable incentive for you to actually get your work done.
Since the education field is so dependent on regular interactions with groups of students and other teachers or faculty, the interpersonal element of your college education might be invaluable to your development as an educator. If you decide to take classes online, make sure to seek out practical experience in a classroom or in the administrative offices of a school. This experience will make you a more appealing candidate for jobs, and will make you better at what you do.
Financing Your Education: Government Grants and Loan Forgiveness
There are loads of education assistance funds available for students of all stripes, and a few special ones for people in education careers because of the unique service they provide to the country. Look at some of the following options for students in general and education students in particular.
- Stafford and Perkins loans are low interest loans for which most students qualify, although their amounts may fluctuate depending on a student’s financial need. Education students have a special option for having their Stafford loans forgiven. If a teacher works in low-income or underserved school districts for five consecutive years, they may be eligible for up to $17,500 worth of loan forgiveness. Visit studentaid.ed.gov for details about qualifying for educational loan forgiveness or cancellation on a Stafford or Perkins loan.
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH): This is a grant specifically for those taking college classes to become elementary or postsecondary teachers. This grant is limited to students of specific schools, and requires you to sign the TEACH Agreement to Serve. For Master of Education candidates who only want to teach, the TEACH grant can be a great source of educational funding.
Unions, Trade Organizations, and Resources for Educators
Educators are a highly organized bunch with many established avenues for sharing resources, collectively bargaining for salaries and employee rights, and swapping knowledge. Here are some websites that can connect you to the strong network of educators in the U.S.
- The American Federation of Teachers is a teacher’s union that provides benefits, information, representation, and a community for teachers nationwide. The AFT website has news and frequent updates about issues affecting the education system, and members can sign in for richer, more personalized content.
- Teach For America is a nonprofit organization that promotes education in underserved or underperforming areas by recruiting idealistic recent college graduates to teach for two years in the schools that need them the most. Teach For America participants, or Corps Members, can earn a full salary with benefits, as well as being offered a living stipend through AmeriCorps and loan deferral on government educational loans.
- The National Science Teachers Association offers professional development resources, conferences, publications, and a community to connect science educators across America. A job board of science education jobs and other careers is available even to non-members, and employers seeking science teachers can post job openings.
These are just a few of the many organizations for educators that exist. Talking to an educational advisor at a college or just digging through online search results can yield many great resources to help you learn more and get started on the path toward a Master of Education degree.
Where to Start
If you’re looking into Master of Education degrees, you’ve likely already taken some education classes, and maybe even have a bachelor’s degree and are teaching professionally. Take some time to explore different specialties and decide what niche in education interests you the most. Then, explore the available degree programs. Whether you get your degree on- or off-line you’ll have more opportunities and be able to earn a better pay check with a Master of Education degree.