Educators in pursuit of bolstering their resumes certainly have a wide range of choices when it comes to graduate programs. Here you’ll find a concise list of the top 10 masters degrees in education.
Among the top 10 are nationally-renown programs such as the Special Education degree at Clemson University, the Digital Technology program at the University of Illinois, and the Reading & Literacy degree at the University of Florida. Eight of the schools are public universities, while two are private.
You are encouraged to scroll down to learn more about the costs and details of each program. While you’re at it, you can learn more about all the programs offered at each of these elite online institutions.
What Are The Requirements To Pursue A Masters Degree In Education?
To qualify for a masters degree in education, you’ll need to have at least a bachelor’s degree. You’ll also likely need to meet GPA benchmarks, and you might need letters of recommendation for admission.
Do You Need A Bachelor's Degree In Education?
You do not need a bachelor’s degree in education before enrolling in a masters degree in education program.
A bachelor’s degree in education is typically seen as the logical first step for many, especially those pursuing careers in primary and secondary institutions. Bachelor’s degrees provide future teachers and administrators with the experience and knowledge necessary to qualify for teaching certificates in their state or province. It also gives them a chance to have hands-on experience through student teaching programs.
How Much Is An Online Masters Degree In Education?
With an online masters degree, you’ll avoid many inconveniences and additional costs associated with classroom instruction. For one thing, you won’t have to drive to class. You also won’t need to pay for parking passes, and many of the other fees often associated with on-campus instruction.
Costs per credit hour for online instruction can range from approximately $300 to $1,000 per credit hour, with most schools requiring somewhere in the range of 30-40 credit hours to be completed.
Where Can I Get My Masters In Education Online?
You’ll find that there are plenty of choices when it comes to institutions offering fully online graduate degrees in education. This is why it’s essential to separate the best from the rest. This list below of the top 10 online programs does just that.
Factors such as the diversity of courses offered, national accreditation, and flexibility of scheduling have all been considered in creating this list.
The Top 10 Online Masters Degrees In Education
Below you’ll find the top 10 online masters programs for education. The most renowned program at each school is listed, as is information regarding several other degrees that may further your career.
Reading & Literacy-University Of Florida
Masters Programs | Reading Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology, Program Evaluation, Special Education, Student Personnel in Higher Education |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Depends on the program |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please click here.
The University Of Florida offers several online masters programs in education. One such program is the educational technology program, which prepares students for careers in the rapidly emerging fields of instructional design and educational technology.
The University of Florida also offers a nationally accredited program in reading and literacy education. This degree is typically completed in 4-6 semesters and prepares students to address the epidemic of American students lagging in literacy. The school offers many other online education degrees worth checking out.
Special Education-Clemson University
Masters Programs | Educational Leadership, Literacy, Special Education, Teaching & Learning |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Summer (Teaching & Learning), Spring (Literacy), Fall (Most Degrees) |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please click here.
Clemson University offers several accredited masters degrees programs in education. For comprehensive coursework in K-12 teaching, check out the Teaching & Learning degree. There are several specialization areas offered, including effective teaching, early childhood, and STEAM.
The Online masters in Special Education program can be completed in just 24 months. Students complete coursework emphasizing both academics and behavior. Several of the offered classes put students on the pathway to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Assistant Behavior Analyst. You can check out all of the school’s online education programs here.
Digital Technology-University of Illinois
Masters Programs | Bilingual, Digital Learning, Diversity, Global Studies, Human Resource Development, International Education and several others |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Classes start in the fall |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please click here.
The University of Illinois provides its students with a wide diversity of options in its online masters in education programs. Perhaps one of the most rewarding choices is the bilingual teaching degree. Educators who complete this program certainly have a greater chance of finding unemployment.
The digital technology emphasis equips students with the knowledge necessary to make the most of modern technology in the classroom. Even non-educators, such as educational software developers, should be able to find the curriculum valuable.
Mathematics/Science-Western Governors University
Masters Programs | Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Instructional Design, Several K-12 Masters Degrees Leading To Education |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Year-round |
School Type | Private |
For current tuition and fees, please click here.
Western Governors University is a fully online private university that provides a wide range of choices for current or aspiring teachers seeking a masters degree in education. Among the many options are an educational leadership program for future business administrators and an instructional design program for those interested in learning how to develop a curriculum.
For educators in pursuit of bolstering their resumes, there are several masters degrees programs that place students on the pathway to licensure. Examples include mathematics education and science education. The school offers several options for non-educators in pursuit of a teaching career.
Teaching English to Non-English Speakers-Grand Canyon University
Masters Programs | Special Education, Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Teaching English To Non-Native Speakers, Instructional Design, and several others |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Year-Round |
School Type | Private |
For current tuition and fees, please click here.
Grand Canyon University is certainly not lacking in choices for both teachers and non-teachers looking to boost their resumes. The private online university offers degrees in many categories, including special education, elementary education, secondary education, and instructional design. Many of the school’s programs do lead to licensure.
Grand Canyon University also offers year-round flexibility for professionals who are entrenched in 40+ hour work weeks. Just be sure that you understand the difference between degrees that lead to licensure and those that don’t, as Grand Canyon University does offer many programs in both categories.
Instructional Design-California State University-Fullerton
Masters Programs | Instruction Design & Technology, Literacy & Reading, Secondary Education, Special Education, Elementary, Bilingual |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Depends on the program |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please contact the office of financial aid here.
Cal-State Fullerton offers several rewarding masters programs in the fields of instructional design, literacy & reading, secondary education, and special education. The coursework is rigorous and fulfilling since it uses a cohort-based model for instruction.
The cohort-based model places the same group of students together for the entire duration of the program. This means you’ll have an opportunity to further your knowledge by interacting with peers in your field.
Classroom Pathways Bundle-Purdue University Global
Masters Programs | Teaching Literacy & Language, Teaching Students With Special Needs, Educational Leadership |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Late Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please click here.
Purdue University Global may not offer the same quantity of degrees as others in this list, but it does score high marks in terms of quality. Courses follow nationally recognized standards developed by associations such as the National Council of Teachers of English and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium.
What makes Purdue University Global unique is its Classroom Pathways Bundle. This service allows students to become certified teachers in at least 15 states upon graduation. The school also offers tuition discounts for those who are National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT). You can also transfer credits earned at other institutions.
Educational Psychology-Michigan State University
Masters Programs | Teaching Literacy & Language, Teaching Students With Special Needs, Educational Leadership |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Late Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please click here.
Purdue University Global may not offer the same quantity of degrees as others in this list, but it does score high marks in terms of quality. Courses follow nationally recognized standards developed by associations such as the National Council of Teachers of English and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium.
What makes Purdue University Global unique is its Classroom Pathways Bundle. This service allows students to become certified teachers in at least 15 states upon graduation. The school also offers tuition discounts for those who are National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT). You can also transfer credits earned at other institutions.
Curriculum & Instruction-Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
Masters Programs | Educational Leadership, Higher Education, Learning, Design & Technology, Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Depends on the program |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please click here, and navigate to the web page for each specific program to see “Costs & Financial Aid” under the Program Overview.
Penn State- World Campus offers highly-ranked masters in education programs in disciplines such as Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction. Students have the opportunity to customize their degrees to fit their needs. For example, the special education program can be completed in 1.5 to 2 years, depending on the number of classes taken.
Navigating the world of professional licenses and certifications can be difficult, but Penn State has made this much easier with this interactive map that will tell you whether or not each Penn State program meets your state’s licensing requirements.
Music Education-University Of Georgia
Masters Programs | Educational Psychology, Gifted Education, Creative Education, Reading, Workforce, Middle Grades, Science, Music, Adult Education |
Classes Offered Year-Round? | Depends on the program |
School Type | Public |
For current tuition and fees, please click here and select each program individually to view that specific program’s costs.
As you can see in the table above, the University of Georgia offers online masters degrees in several disciplines not often offered through online education. Examples include music education and workforce education, and education for gifted students.
Class schedules vary by degree, but they generally seem to be split into seasonal semesters and require 35-40 credit hours to be completed. If you are looking for rigorous and fulfilling programs, then the University of Georgia is worth a visit.
Outro
It can be hard to tell whether an online masters degree will be worth the cost. Especially since there are more and more institutions advertising fully online graduate programs. In the list above, you’ll find the top 10 online masters in education programs across the country.
Schools and degrees have been carefully selected based on criteria such as curriculum, diversity of courses offered, and professional licensure.
