Walden’s MSEd Degree Program: For You. For Your Students. For Good.
You became an educator to improve the academic outcomes—and ultimately the lives—of your students. Walden’s practical, competitively priced online MS in Education program fuels that passion. We provide you with practical tools you can apply right away to support your students’ learning outcomes and improve your teaching while also achieving your own aspirations.
Learn evidence-based approaches to today’s most pressing educational challenges, from collaborating with families and creating inclusive learning environments to harnessing the latest technologies. Choose from three learning options: MSEd Traditional, MSEd Accelerated, and MSEd One-Credit.
An MSEd degree program offers educators the opportunity to become more effective in their practice while opening up new avenues for career advancement.
Why Choose Walden?
With a degree from Walden University, you can make a greater difference
Meet Desmond, an education specialist who is dedicated to helping young people grow and learn. Hear about his experience growing up in a neighborhood with few options, and how he uses his master’s in education from Walden to create social change, every day.
Program Details
Learning Tracks
MSEd Traditional: If you’re more comfortable with structured learning, a predictable course load, and a fixed schedule, consider our 20-month traditional MSEd track. The manageable workload is perfect for busy professionals who have a limited amount of weekly time to devote to their studies.
MSEd Accelerated: If you’re a highly motivated educator who wants to fast-track your learning, the MSEd Accelerated track is for you. You can gain all the skills and valuable insights found in the traditional MSEd track and earn your degree in just 12 months.2
MSEd One-Credit: If you’re looking for an innovative, intensive learning experience that offers a set semester-based tuition schedule, the MSEd One-Credit format is a great fit for you. Walden’s MSEd One-Credit Elementary Education format is driven by a classroom teacher-focused curriculum offered in three completion options: 12 months, 16 months, or 20 months.1
Admission Requirements
To be considered for this master’s program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, teaching experience, and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. Depending on program specialization, additional requirements may apply.
More information for international applicants.
Program Outcomes
Become an Innovator in Teaching and Learning
Our full-time, online master’s in education program incorporates content from nationally recognized education experts, policymakers, and high-performing teachers. Gain expertise in critical social-emotional skills such as resiliency, problem-solving, and growth mindset. Engage in immersive online learning scenarios using cutting-edge avatar simulations. You’ll also have the opportunity to examine, design, and implement action research to advance student learning and achievement.
Career Outlook
An online master’s in education degree can help propel your career to the next level while becoming more confident, effective, and innovative in the classroom. Whether you want to enhance your teaching practice or move into education leadership, earning your MSEd can prepare you to make a greater impact for your students, district, and community.
An MS in Education degree can prepare you to pursue career options such as:3
- Elementary school teacher
- Middle school teacher
- Secondary school teacher
- Special education teacher
An MS in Education degree can prepare you to work in settings such as:
- K–12 schools
- K–12 school districts
- Educational enrichment programs
- Training and development
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of our online master’s in education program, you will be prepared to:
- Apply pedagogical and discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and dispositions to support the learning and development of P–12 students.
- Design learning experiences that incorporate students’ strengths by building on prior background and addressing the learning needs of a diverse student population.
- Use data-informed practices to design, implement, and assess differentiated instruction within and across disciplines to promote student learning, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge and skills in technology-rich environments.
- Apply data-informed assessments to monitor student achievement, guide instructional planning, and ensure continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with families, communities, and other professionals to promote positive social change.
Meet Your Academic Team
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FAQ About Walden’s Online MS in Education
Should you earn your MS in Education online?
Completing a graduate program for teachers is more possible than ever before, thanks to online education. When you earn a master’s in education online, you can continue working full time and managing your other responsibilities as well. You’ll access your courses via the internet—meaning you can take them right from home. Plus, online learning offers flexible scheduling, giving you the power to choose when in the day you attend class. That way, you can arrange your MSEd around your career—and earn the degree you need to take your career further.
What will you learn in an online MS in Education program?
That depends on a variety of factors, like where you decide to earn your degree. For example, Walden’s MS in Education program can prepare you to:
- Design learning experiences that incorporate students’ strengths by building on prior background and addressing the learning needs of a diverse student population.
- Use data-informed practices to design, implement, and assess differentiated instruction within and across disciplines to promote student learning, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge and skills in technology-rich environments.
- Apply data-informed assessments to monitor student achievement, guide instructional planning, and ensure continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with families, communities, and other professionals to promote social change.
What’s the difference between an MS in Education (MSEd) and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)?
Choosing the right master’s in education for you has everything to do with where you are in your teaching career. If you’re an experienced teacher looking to improve your teaching strategies and position yourself for career advancement, an MSEd degree is the perfect choice, as it’s geared toward licensed teachers with classroom experience. If you hold a bachelor’s degree but are currently working in a field other than education, an MAT degree is the better choice for you, as it can help you gain the fundamental educational skills and experience you’ll need to sit for licensure and succeed in the classroom. Walden University offers an MSEd program as well as a MAT with a specialization in Special Education (K–Age 21) program, both designed for motivated individuals who are looking to advance their career as an educator.
What specializations are offered with an MS in Education degree?
When you pursue your MS in Education, there are a lot of great specialization options from which to choose. Depending on the school of education you attend, a master’s degree in education can allow you choose specializations such as:
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Grades K–12)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Preparation)
- Mathematics and Science (Grades K–8)
- STEM Education (Grades K–8)
- Teacher Leadership (Grades K–12)
- Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Grades K–12)
- Elementary Reading and Mathematics
- Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K–12)
How do you choose the best online university to earn your MS in Education?
When it comes to finding the best online academic institution, reputation is key. Walden University has been developing and leading adult learning and distance education programs for more than 50 years. Now more than ever, education professionals need online access to an accredited university that enables them to achieve success and receive the support they need, from enrollment through graduation. At Walden, students and graduates receive ongoing assistance as they work to earn their degree, advance their career, and effect positive social change.
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1The MSEd One-Credit track is available for new students only. While the MSEd One-Credit 12-month, 16-month, or 20-month option is designed to be completed in 12, 16, or 20 months, time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, contact an Enrollment Specialist.
2Rates are subject to change. The accelerated model is available for new students only. While the MSEd accelerated option is designed to be completed in 12 months, time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 1-866-492-5336.
3Source: O*Net Online. Summary Report for SOC Code 21-2021 Directors, Education. Sample of reported job titles include Elementary School Teacher, Middle School Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Education and Childcare.
4Source: Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE), “Time to Degree Grads and Awards,” sum of MSEd and MSEd Accelerated graduates, academic years 1999–2000 to 2020–2021. 49,105 as of May 2021.
*This tuition grant is only available to new students in good standing who reside in the U.S. and begin classes on January 10, 2022. The tuition grant is applicable to tuition only and does not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course. This tuition grant may only be combined with the 10% tuition reduction for U.S.-based partner organizations, the military reduction, or incremental offers. The grant funds will be applied to the student’s account approximately four to six weeks from the start date and applied up to $1,000 per term for the first three consecutive terms after enrollment, beginning in the first term. Student must be enrolled continuously, without a break, to receive the full grant. The tuition grant is a “non-cash” award, and in no event will the recipient receive a check or other disbursement of money pursuant to this tuition grant. The tuition grant may only be used for credit-bearing courses within the recipient’s program—non-credit courses are not permitted under the tuition grant. Any unused portion due to a break in attendance will be forfeited. Walden may change the tuition grant or reduction offered hereunder at any time, but such change will not affect the tuition grant for students who are currently enrolled at Walden and using the existing tuition grant. All tuition reductions, grants, or scholarships are subject to specific eligibility requirements. Contact a Walden University Enrollment Specialist for details.
Accreditation
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through June 2026. This accreditation covers specific Walden initial teacher and advanced educator preparation programs, including the BS in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education specialization, MS in Education – Educational Leadership and Administration specialization, and EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration. The MAT-SPED, MSED-ELA, and EdS-ELA programs were reviewed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs), which define content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition.
CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. Walden’s College of Education and Human Sciences has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. CAEP is a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification
The only MS in Education Specialization offered by Walden that is state-approved as leading to any educational license or certification is the MS in Education, Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Program), which has been approved in Ohio for leading to Building Level Principal Licensure (grades PK–6, grades 4–9, and grades 5–12). No other MS in Education Specialization will lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.