Online Master of Education (MEd) Degree Programs
Online Master of Education (MEd) programs are graduate programs that provide education professionals and people working in related fields with enhanced skills and specialized training in a broad array of education specializations. Common MEd specializations include educational leadership and administration, learning innovations and classroom technology, curriculum development and assessment, English as a second language, inclusive learning, early childhood education, and gifted and special education. While many MEd programs offer specializations designed for K-12 educators and administrations, there are also MEd programs for professionals working in higher education leadership and student affairs.
Graduates of MEd programs may work as educators and/or administrators in a range of educational settings, from preschool and K-12 classrooms, and elementary and secondary schools, to college and adult learning centers. While MEd program graduates who hold a state teaching license or certification are qualified to teach in public schools, an MEd degree can open the door to careers beyond classrooms, including but not limited to school administration, program design, student affairs, and academic counseling. In addition, for K-12 educators, some school districts have salary schedules that result in higher compensation for teachers who have earned graduate credits and/or a master’s degree.
Note: Unlike Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs, in general, MEd programs are designed for licensed educators or teachers who work in a setting that does not require licensure. These programs are generally not intended for students seeking to earn their initial teaching certification.
What is a Master’s in Education Degree?
A Master of Education degree program is a graduate program with a curriculum that focuses on enhancing and advancing the educational knowledge and skills of current teachers and administrators. MEd coursework focuses on fostering social-emotional skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership potential, as well as bringing technological and pedagogical innovation into schools. Programs may include content from education experts, lawmakers, accrediting bodies, educational organizations, and teachers who excel in the classroom.
Some MEd programs lead to teaching licensure and/or state certifications or endorsements in particular areas, such as special education, English as a second language, or principalship. MEd programs that include licensing or specialist certifications typically incorporate supervised field experiences in designated educational settings aligned with the program’s curriculum. However, as noted above, MAT programs are more commonly designed for students with a bachelor’s degree who would like to earn their initial teaching certification. Schools offering MEd programs may seek programmatic accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), although this process is optional and not required to offer an MEd program.
Online Master of Education Programs
Online Master of Education programs provide a more flexible alternative to campus-based programs. They are designed to ease the pathway to career advancements for experienced teachers and administrators who intend to continue working while earning their degree and thus may not be able to commute to a campus for classes several times per week. However, online programs provide the same level of training and instruction as campus-based programs, including any site-based internships, and require the same amount of work and effort.
Online programs are administered through learning management systems (LMSs), which deliver syllabi, course materials, recorded lectures, assignments, projects, assessments, and readings via a secure internet connection. Students in an online program also participate in discussion groups and interact with instructors and classmates through a program’s LMS. In addition, professors and instructors typically hold office hours during which students can video chat and ask questions.
Most online MEd programs take 12 to 24 months to complete, depending on a program’s curriculum design, academic calendar, and enrollment options. A program that can be completed in 12 months of full-time enrollment may take 24 months for a part-time student to complete.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Education Programs
Master of Education programs are commonly designated as such. However, some schools may offer Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) in Education programs instead, and these programs typically offer the same type of training and instruction as MEd programs, but it can vary by college or university. There are MEd programs in bilingual education, counseling, curriculum and instruction, gifted education, higher education, leadership and administration, special education, career and technical education, early childhood education, educational technology, reading and literacy, mathematics, and many other areas. There are also programs that offer tracks for specific grades or levels, such as pre-k and kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education. Online MEd programs may be offered by a university’s department, college, or school of education, or a psychology or professional studies division within an accredited institution of higher education.
Through independent research of MEd, MA, and MS in Education programs, OnlineEducation.com identifies programs that are offered by regionally accredited, non-profit colleges and universities and that deliver all or most of their required coursework online. While many online MEd programs are fully online, some programs require one or more campus visits. In addition, online students may be required to complete site-based practicums or applied projects in educational settings. Programs that require more than two campus-based sessions per year are considered hybrid programs and are not currently listed on the site.
What Students Learn in Online MEd Programs
MEd programs provide educators with knowledge and skills to enhance their capabilities and advance into specialized teaching or administrative roles. This typically includes didactic courses, practical training, and a research component. Core courses generally cover qualitative and quantitative research methods, educational philosophy and pedagogy, planning and leadership strategies, and contemporary issues in education. MEd students learn to apply evidence-based instructional theories that encompass social, emotional, physical, linguistic, and cognitive development; integrate technology and assessment methods into planning and instruction; manage classrooms; conduct qualitative and quantitative research; and apply inclusive learning methods.
MEd programs often require students to put what they are learning into practice through site-based practicums or internships. It is also common for MEd programs to require an applied capstone project or master’s thesis. Finally, while specific requirements vary by program and specialization, most MEd programs have a core curriculum that aligns with guidelines administered by CAEP.
Common Courses in Online Master of Education Programs
The table below provides an overview of coursework that is typical of a Master of Education curriculum. The courses and descriptions are drawn from actual online graduate programs in education.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Current Issues in Education | An overview of teacher salaries, tenure, federal aid, political control of education, district reorganization, and academic freedom. |
| Methods of Educational Research | Quantitative and qualitative research methods, techniques, tools, and strategies used in educational settings. |
| Media and Literacy for Teachers | The development of resource-based skills around media for K-12 students and includes an examination of media production, visual literacy, information, and critical analysis of TV viewing. |
| The Intentional Teacher | Frameworks for early childhood educators to develop and utilize evidence-based, integrated curriculum content such as math, science, music, social studies, English, and the creative arts in the early childhood classroom. |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | The development of school leadership strategies, leadership styles, and the structure of educational organizations. |
| Teaching and Learning for School Leaders | Effective educational leadership and its influence on the quality of education; how to recognize exceptional teaching; how learner-centered education improves outcomes; and how educational research informs effective instructional approaches. |
| Ensuring Quality Education for Students with Diverse Needs | Issues and responsibilities associated with leading schools with diverse student populations; and includes the study of differences among learners, discrimination, bias, prejudice, and stereotyping. |
| Teaching and Learning in Inclusion Settings | Strategies for teaching students with special needs, including the use of learning and behavioral standards, and methods for individualizing curriculum; and requires observation in schools and practice planning and implementing instructional activities with exceptional students. |
| Enhancing Online Student Engagement | Current practices in online curriculum design and instructional strategies designed to enhance student engagement with the teacher, fellow students, and technology-based activities. |
| Universal Design for Learning | Principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the related framework of Culturally Responsive Practices; exposure to universally designed learning modules, resources with multiple formats, and student-initiated projects; and focus on removing barriers for all learners through teaching strategies and technology. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Education Programs
While admissions requirements vary, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and typically have a minimum GPA of 2.75 to 3.0 or higher to qualify for most online MEd programs. It is also common for programs to require two or more years of teaching or administrative work experience and an active teaching license or certificate. There are also programs that require professionals to hold a current position in an educational setting or are otherwise able to secure regular access to a classroom environment in order to earn their degree.
In addition to filling out an online application and providing academic transcripts, applicants to MEd programs may have to submit a goals statement or essay, a professional resume or CV, and several recommendations or references. Prospective applicants considering online programs offered by out-of-state institutions should reach out to an admissions advisor to confirm the program accepts applicants from their state of residence. In addition, students pursuing an MEd program in order to earn a specific endorsement should check with their state board of education to ensure any program they choose will provide the training and instruction needed to qualify for the endorsement in their state of residence.
Online Master of Education Format Options
Online master’s programs seek to provide flexibility to educators and other professionals who may opt to work full-time while earning their MEd. Outlined below are structural and instructional formats students should consider as they explore online programs, including online instructional methods, enrollment options, and required campus visits.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Synchronous online instruction generally consists of live online sessions or virtual classes, typically once or twice a week during the evening or on weekends. Other coursework, such as readings, projects, case studies, and participation in online discussion boards, are completed outside these synchronous sessions. Live classes provide more of a traditional feel to online programs, and live sessions are usually recorded for later viewing for students who have to miss a session due to other obligations.
In contrast, asynchronous instruction allows students to study independently within set parameters and may include viewing recorded lectures, videos, projects, readings, case studies, assessments, and online discussion boards. Asynchronous instruction offers greater flexibility as there is no real-time component; however, it also requires self-motivation, self-dedication, and time management skills to keep up with course materials without regularly scheduled classes.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Most master’s in education programs are completed part-time by educators who continue to work while earning their degree. Part-time enrollment usually leads to graduating in two or more years. Many online master’s programs offer non-traditional academic sessions with five-, six- or eight-week courses, so students can complete two courses per 10-week quarter or 15-week semester. Full-time enrollment allows students to graduate in 12 to 18 months. Licensure, certification, or endorsement programs may take longer to complete due to field experiences.
Campus Visits: Online MEd programs may include campus visits, often designated as intensives, immersion sessions, or residencies. These on-campus sessions are generally short in duration (three to five days) and include learning experienced that can enhance online studies. Students who would prefer not to have to travel to campus during their program should find programs that offer fully online coursework. OnlineEducation.com does not currently include programs that require more than two campus visits per year. It is important to note that site-based internships, practicums, and student-teaching hours are not considered campus visits and commonly take place at off-campus sites within commuting distance to a student’s place of residence.