An investment in education can pay off, especially when it comes to earning a master's in education. This graduate degree deepens your knowledge of educational theory and specific content areas of teaching and administration.
You can enroll in a master of education online from a non-teaching field, or after years as a teacher. The multitude of concentrations available focus on educational leadership roles, or train educators to be more well-rounded and knowledgeable in their specialty areas.
Keep reading to discover what online education master's programs cost and the variety of jobs available depending on the degree.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top 10 Online Education Master's Programs
How We Chose These Schools
At CollegeChoice, we use reliable data to rank schools based on their academic quality, affordability, and return on investment. When determining a program's value, we consider metrics such as median student debt, graduation rate, and average student earnings after enrolling.
Still curious about how we rank schools? You can learn more about our ranking methodology here.
What Is a Master's in Education?
Online education master's programs are advanced programs in pedagogical approaches, organizational leadership, and educational history and research for practitioners and administrations. These programs often take around two years, but you can complete some in less time.
These degrees can lead to initial teaching licensure, administrative licensure, or other certifications or endorsements in the field. Licensure track programs are typically state-approved educator preparation programs that include relevant field experiences.
Non-licensure programs may not include fieldwork and are designed for currently licensed practitioners or those who plan to work outside the public school system.
You can earn a master of education (M.Ed.), master of science (MS), or master of arts (MA) in a subfield of education.
Common Courses
Assessment for Learning
Classroom Management and Organization
Education Policy and Issues
Education Research Methods
Introduction to Exceptionality
Instructional Leadership
Social Justice and Education Equity
Teaching Strategies
Concentrations Within Education and Teaching
Adult Education
If you want to teach nontraditional and continuing education learners, consider specializing in adult education. In your studies, you'll explore the theoretical concept of teaching adult learners and put it into practice in a classroom setting.
Curriculum and Instruction
Carefully-developed curriculum and instruction can create a more inclusive learning environment that promotes culturally relevant education and improves student learning outcomes. By specializing in this field, you can become a curriculum and instruction specialist employed in corporate settings or in schools.
Early Childhood Education
An early childhood education concentration combines educational theory and practice. Through lessons and fieldwork, you'll learn to utilize the latest technology for an active learning environment and develop a child-centered curriculum for infants and children up to age eight.
Educational Administration
By specializing in educational administration, learners gain the necessary skills for careers like school administrators and principals. The coursework focuses on educational policy, research, and leadership theory.
Educational Technology
Studying educational technology can teach educators new approaches to incorporate multimedia into their lessons, such as instructional games or simulations. This concentration emphasizes learning theories and instructional design in the digital era.
Elementary Education
Master's in elementary education programs offer advanced instructional training to teach in grades K-8 in a variety of different elementary-level subjects. Licensed teachers can expand their practice, or use this concentration to launch a career in administration.
English Language Learning
English language learners benefit from educators trained at a graduate-level in English language learning, a specialization that focuses on supporting and developing literacy and content instruction. Through this concentration you'll learn to apply technology, theory and research to improve students' language skills in all content areas.
Gifted and Talented Education
Enroll in a gifted and talented education master's program and you'll examine inequality in schools and learn how to meet the social and emotional needs of academically gifted students. This concentration also explores evaluation techniques for gifted students and trends in gifted education.
Higher Education
You can prepare for a career in college admissions, enrollment, student affairs, or other administration departments by earning a master's in higher education. Dive into coursework focused on higher education access, American higher education history, organizational behavior, and directed research in higher education.
Reading and Literacy
If you love reading, think about specializing in reading and literacy. With a master's in reading and literacy, you can help students achieve reading milestones by developing your reading instruction and studying linguistics and literacy concepts.
School Counseling
Start your journey to become a counselor by earning a master's in school counseling. Through the coursework, you'll learn how to support students in their academic, socio-emotional, and career goals.
Secondary Education
Improve your teaching techniques for high school students by specializing in secondary education. Individuals from diverse fields, as well as credentialed teachers, pursue this concentration to study pedagogical theory and research.
Special Education
Pursuing a master's in special education opens the doors to opportunities instructing students with diverse learning needs from K-12, or even in college. You can also focus on specific content areas like math or theater. During your studies, you will learn about institutional modifications, intervention strategies, and research analysis.
How Much Does an Online Master's in Education Cost?
On average, an online master's in education program costs $7,911 in tuition and fees per year, as reported by the According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) DataLab.
Variances in price are attributed to numerous factors, such as attending a private college versus a public institution. Across all fields of study, the average graduate tuition and fees in 2020-2021 were $12,394 at public institutions and $28,445 at private nonprofit institutions.
Additional Online Student Fees
Online students can save on commuting and parking costs, but there are still expenses involved in online learning.
Online master's in education students may need to buy a new laptop or upgrade their internet. If an online student doesn't have home internet, they'll need to budget for parking fees or beverage costs in order to use an establishment's internet. Additionally, some schools charge technology and graduation fees.
Degree-seekers should also budget for any in-person sessions their degree may mandate, like orientation. These experiences may lead to travel and lodging costs.
Like on-campus students, online learners must buy class materials and books. Buying used or digital books can help save money. Students should also plan to pay for teaching licensure exams.
Scholarships and Grants
Federal financial aid goes to all qualified master's in education students. After completing the FAFSA, you can receive federal grants or loans. Amounts vary based on your financial eligibility. Grants and scholarships offer free aid, which you do not need to repay.
You can also apply for TEACH Grants, which provide $4,000 a year to eligible students who commit to teaching at a participating school for four years. Additionally, teachers who work in low-income schools or other qualified educational agencies for five academic years may qualify for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and receive up to $17,500.
What Jobs Can I Get With a Master's in Education?
Education encompasses a wide variety of occupations, inside and beyond the classroom. As of 2022, roughly 8.496 million people work in educational instruction and library occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Even within teaching, there are a variety of positions serving different student populations. Teachers work throughout P-12 and at the college level. They can educate varying student populations, including ESL students or students with moderate-to-severe disabilities. An online education master's program can also prepare you to work as a corporate trainer, educational consultant, or education policy analyst.
Demand for educational occupations depends on the job, field, and location. Earning a graduate degree puts teachers in a higher pay bracket. According to a study by Pepperdine, teachers with master's degrees can expect 10-15% more earnings than teachers with bachelor's degrees.
However, that earnings bump hinges on the school district, the state, and the school itself. Pepperdine's research points out that sometimes the pay increase you get with a master's degree is only a few thousand dollars.
According to the NCES, teachers in public schools made an average of $66,397 in 2021-2022. Compare that to 1959-1960 when public school teachers made $4,995 a year, or what equates to $47,943 in 2021-2022 dollars. That's very little movement over the course of 63 years.
| Job | Median Salary | Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Developer | $72,330* | Unavailable |
| Training and Development Specialist | $125,040 | 6% |
| University Dean | $102,610 | 4% |
| District Administrator | $71,250 | Unavailable |
| Educational Researcher | $67,380* | Unavailable |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,680 | 1% |
| High School Teacher | $65,210 | 1% |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,620 | 2% |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,290 | 1% |
| Special Education Teacher | $65,910 | 0% |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $82,270 | 8% |
| Principal | $101,320 | 1% |
| School Counselor | $61,710 | 5% |
Source: BLS, Payscale*Average salary as of April 2024
How to Become a Teacher
Aspiring P-12 teachers typically need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Preschool teachers at public schools also need a bachelor's degree, though private preschools may only require an associate degree in a relevant field.
If you plan to teach in public schools, then you must receive a professional license or certification through your state's education board. These certifications usually focus on a particular grade level or subject, such as elementary education, special education, or mathematics. Private school teachers do not typically need a state-issued license.
Students can earn these credentials by meeting education and supervised student-teaching requirements. They must also pass a background check and certification exams. These exams may cost $150-$200. Licensure fees may cost an extra $200. Costs vary by state.
Each state determines its own education requirements for teaching licensure. However, most states require applicants to complete an approved teacher preparation program, which can be tied to a bachelor's or master's degree program.
To keep their licenses current, teachers must complete continuing education or professional development classes every few years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Degrees in Education
What are the admission requirements for an online education master's program?
Online master's in education programs require at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and a 2.5-3.0 GPA to qualify for admission. Other requirements differ for each master's program. For instance, a degree may require enrollees to hold a current teaching credential or have completed bachelor's courses in education.
Should I earn my master of education online?
If you have work or family obligations that make it difficult to meet on campus weekly, online education master's programs let you attend class from wherever you'd like. Asynchronous coursework provides added flexibility to submit assignments or join discussion boards on your own time rather than during scheduled classes. Note that some Asynchronous classes may still have timed elements, like deadlines or specific lectures.
Is a master's in education worth it?
An online master's in education is worthwhile in many ways. For teachers, earning a graduate degree will elevate your practice. Earning a graduate degree typically pays off. According to the BLS, master's degree holders in 2022 made median weekly earnings of $1,661, while bachelor's degree holders earned $1,432 a week on average.
How long does an online master's in education program take?
Full-time enrollees can complete a master's degree in two years. Part-time learners may need 3-4 years. Some accelerated online programs take just 12-18 months, depending on students' prior coursework and degree requirements.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by CollegeChoice. Page last reviewed November 20, 2023.
