Online Education Master’s Programs

Depending on the degree and specialization you choose, there are a number of paths you can take after earning a master’s in education. If you’re a career changer who holds a bachelor’s degree that is not in education, you can choose a master’s degree program in education that leads to teacher licensure. If you’ve been teaching for some time and want to hone your skills or acquire some new ones, pursuing a master’s degree is a great decision. You can focus your studies on a specific area, such as special education; mathematics; science; curriculum, instruction, and assessment; or STEM education. If you want to prepare for principal licensure, you might choose an educational leadership administration specialization. Master’s degrees in education can also be specific to the age group you want to teach and range from early childhood to higher education.

Non-licensure master’s degree programs in education require about 30 to 36 semester credit hours of coursework to complete. First-time teachers who are preparing for licensure can expect to complete about 45 to 50 semester credit hours, which includes demonstration teaching.

If you want to become a teacher who’s highly skilled at helping all students achieve their academic potential, then earning a master’s in education may be a good move. Choosing the specific degree program that matches your goals and aspirations will take additional thought. For example:

• If you are not yet a licensed educator, you’ll need to choose a master’s degree that leads to licensure, such as Master of Art in Teaching – Elementary Education.
• If working with children with exceptionalities is where your teaching passion lies, you may want to choose the Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K–12) specialization in the MS in Education (MSEd) program.
• If your interest is in developing your leadership skills, then the Teacher Leadership (Grades K–12) specialization might be your reason for earning an MSEd.
• If becoming a more effective math teacher is your goal, consider earning an MSEd degree with one of these relevant specializations: Mathematics (Grades K–6), Mathematics (Grades 5–8), Elementary Reading and Mathematics, or Mathematics and Science (K–8).
• Keeping current with technology is yet another reason for earning a master’s in education online. Whether you’re an elementary school teacher or a high school teacher, you can learn how to leverage technology to benefit your students in the Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Grades K–12) MSEd specialization.
• An MS in Higher Education can prepare you for a wide range of opportunities in postsecondary education, training, and professional development.
• And the MS in Instructional Design and Technology is career-focused and designed to fill your toolbox with relevant skills.

Time to completion for education master’s degree programs will vary. If you’re pursuing teacher licensure, your time to completion will likely be longer than that of an existing teacher. Most traditional non-licensure programs in education are designed to be completed in about two years, though factors such as individual progress and transferable credits can impact this time frame. Some universities, like Walden, offer an accelerated option that is designed to be completed in as few as 12 months.

The Graduate Record Examinations, commonly known as GRE^® tests, are standardized tests designed to measure your overall academic readiness for graduate schools. You might compare graduate-level GRE^® tests to bachelor’s-level SAT exams. There is a general GRE^® test as well as subject level tests that help assess a person’s mastery of a particular field, including chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology. Not all universities require GRE^® test scores in order for a student to be admitted into a university’s degree program. Walden University does not require GRE^® tests as a condition for acceptance.

A master’s degree in education has a number of advantages that can benefit you both personally and professionally. Here are just a few:

1. Professional development: An online master’s in education program can help improve the skills of even the best educators by providing them with new or enhanced skills to engage with students at a higher level. When an educator possesses both subject expertise and critical instruction skills, students tend to be more engaged and ultimately perform better.

2. Specialty development: A master’s degree in education helps to establish your authority in the field, enabling you to develop instructional skills in a specific area of interest. Whether it’s learning how to teach a particular age group or creating a niche by integrating two areas of study, graduate degrees offer specializations to help achieve better student outcomes. Some popular specializations include special education, reading and literacy, STEM education, and teacher leadership.

3. Transition into a new role: If you’re ready to take your career in a new direction, a master’s degree is a great first step. Many educators earn a master’s in order to become a school administrator, transition to teaching higher education, begin working with special education students, or focus on designing curriculum. Regardless of your desired career path within education, an online master’s degree can supply the knowledge and credentials necessary to tackle the demands of a new position.

4. Help improve student outcomes: Like many advanced degrees, a master’s degree in education can provide you with the skills to better engage with students and help influence their educational outcomes.