The Guide to Online Masters in Education (MEd) Programs

What is an Online Masters in Education?

An online master’s in education (MEd) is a graduate degree designed to advance the careers of current and aspiring teachers, educators, and school professionals. Master’s in Education programs (also referred to as MEd, EdM or ME) are generally designed for:

  • Educators who already hold their teaching license and are seeking additional certification(s) and experience.
  • Individuals looking to work in the field of education but outside of the traditional classroom.

Online master’s in education programs are designed to prepare students for advanced roles across a range of educational fields and are not limited to the traditional K–12 classroom. With coursework in curriculum design and educational leadership, an online master’s in education may also prepare students for administrative or consulting roles.

If you are seeking your initial teaching degree, learn more about earning your Master of Arts in Teaching.

Explore Online Teaching and Education Degree Program

Vanderbilt University

info

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations

Pursue an Ed.D. online from top-ranked Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Master degree or 30 credit hours of graduate-level study required. Build advanced leadership skills in as few as 3 years. 

  • Become an influential leader in your organization  
  • Part-time or full-time schedules available  
  • Complete your Ed.D. in as little as three years 

University of Dayton

info

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership for Organizations

Master holders, earn your Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations online from the University of Dayton in as few as 3 years. 3.0+ GPA required to apply.

  • Live, online classes
  • Complete in 36 months
  • No GRE required
  • Dissertation-in-practice

Pepperdine University

info

Master of Arts in Teaching

The online Master of Arts in Teaching from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology prepares students to become leaders in a classroom and in their communities. The 11-month program combines weekly online classes with hands-on student-teaching placements to equip students with the technical and soft skills they need to become an effective PreK-12 teacher.

  • No GRE, GMAT, or other standardized tests required to apply.
  • Choose from two teaching credential specializations: Elementary Teaching (Multiple Subject) or Secondary Teaching (Single Subject). 
  • Application fee waivers are available.
  • Complete the program in 11 months, full time. 

info SPONSORED

The Benefits of an Online Masters in Education

Graduate school is an excellent opportunity to explore your options as a teacher and to learn more thoroughly about what interests you. Some states require their secondary school teachers to have a bachelor’s degree in the subject they are teaching, and having a master’s in that subject may be even more enticing to potential employers. Some of the many benefits of having a master’s in education include:

Enhanced Value in the Job Market

Earning a master’s degree can strengthen your credentials in education, especially if you’re pursuing specialized roles (like curriculum, instructional design, or leadership) or working in a district that rewards advanced degrees through its salary schedule. In many K–12 systems, pay is structured by both experience and education level, so moving from a bachelor’s lane to a master’s lane can translate into higher compensation (though policies vary by state and district).

If your goal is teaching in higher education, it’s important to plan based on the type of institution and discipline. Requirements differ, but postsecondary faculty roles typically require a Ph.D.; a master’s degree may be sufficient for some positions, particularly at community colleges, while other roles may prioritize relevant professional experience. 

Build Upon Your Teaching Skills

Pursuing an online masters in education or an online master of arts in teaching can also help improve your teaching skills. These degrees prepare individuals to teach, with a strong emphasis on pedagogy, teaching methods, educational philosophy, and educational technology.

Career Mobility

A perk to gaining an advanced degree is the increased opportunities that come with an online MEd degree or similar masters degree. Teachers with advanced degrees in education may be able to work towards school administration positions, such as post-secondary education administrators, who work in admissions & registrar offices, or who are provost and academic deans, depending on their career path.

Increased Earning Potential

One practical reason educators pursue an online master’s in education is that, in many K–12 districts, pay is tied to a salary schedule that accounts for both years of experience and education level. In these systems, earning a master’s degree or completing eligible graduate credits can qualify teachers for salary differentials that raise annual earnings over time.

It’s important to note that policies vary widely. Some districts offer higher pay for advanced degrees up to and including a doctorate, while others limit or structure increases differently. In some cases, employers may also offer tuition reimbursement or other support for continuing education, depending on the district, role, and contract terms.

Masters in Education Online Program Concentrations

Earning an online master of education provides you with the opportunity to explore a number of fields in education. The MEd degree typically offers a wide variety of concentrations and specializations. Depending on your school of choice, program concentrations may include the following:

Classroom Technology

Master’s programs in classroom technology and instructional design provide students with the foundational framework for 21st-century learning, with a focus on designing and implementing classroom technology in formal and informal learning environments. Coursework includes classes focusing on product design, technology in the classroom, cognition, instructional design, adaptive technology, and online literacy.

Educational Psychology

Master’s in Education programs with an emphasis on educational psychology (also referred to as school psychology) are designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of learning, development, motivation, research and assessment in various fields of education. Graduates of educational/school psychology programs may have careers in fields such as program evaluation, curriculum development, and academic testing, and may work in schools, non-profit agencies and health-related institutions. Coursework includes classes focusing on statistics, learning theories, research methods, cognition, and child/adolescent development.

Economics and Policy

Master’s degree programs in educational economics and policy equip students with an understanding of the political, legal, economic, and social factors that influence the education system. Students with degrees in educational economics and/or policy may work in government agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on educational reform and advocacy. Coursework includes classes focusing on policy analysis and implementation, educational law, community development, sociology, urban education, and decision-making.

Museum Education

Museum education/museum studies degrees are designed for students who wish to pursue a career in art, history, and/or science within informal learning environments such as museums, historical institutions, and libraries. Museum education programs equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to teach in museums, using galleries and other media to enhance learning for children and adults. Coursework includes classes focusing on public relations and marketing, educational media, fundraising, art history, and cognitive development.

Higher Education

Master’s degrees in higher education (also referred to as post-secondary education) prepare students with the leadership and administrative skills needed to be a leader in today’s colleges and universities, as well as government institutions that address the needs of higher education. Higher education focused degree programs focus on student/academic affairs, leadership theory, management, and finance. Coursework includes classes focusing on college teaching, leadership and management, student development, and diversity in higher education.

School Counseling

MEd programs with an emphasis on school counseling are designed to prepare students with the skills and experience to counsel students, families, and community members in areas such as coping with personal issues, academic advising, and advocacy. Students who pursue a master’s degree in counseling may work within a number of formal and informal educational settings, such as K–12 schools, colleges, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. Coursework includes classes focusing on interview techniques, group counseling, family systems, and special education.

For more on masters programs for aspiring school counselors, learn about Online Master’s in School Counseling degrees.

Education Administration

Master’s degree programs in educational leadership prepare students for leadership roles in public and private educational institutions, including principal, dean, department head, superintendent, athletic director, and instructional leader. Coursework includes classes focusing on business administration, personnel management, cultural diversity, educational law and policy, learning, and assessment.

Consider also an online doctorate of education program to further exemplify your mastery of educational administration.

Bilingual Education

Bilingual education and TESOL programs provide students with the foundational skills required to work with bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) students in today’s diverse educational settings, which prepares students to work as teachers, curriculum designers and evaluators in a number of formal and informal learning environments. Coursework includes classes focusing on linguistics, literacy, pedagogy and oral/written language skills.

Practical Experience for Online MEd Students

Students earning their online ME degree are required to gain practical experience in a formal or informal education environment, one that closely mirrors their course of study, institutional expectations and desired career goals.

Practical experience for ME students may include the following options:

  • Student teaching
  • Internship/externship
  • Fellowship
  • Formal observation hours

Online Masters in Education Capstone

A capstone (also referred to as a graduate thesis or dissertation) is a culminating project, presentation or activity that often requires the guidance and/or approval of a supervising faculty member. These projects are designed to demonstrate the student’s newfound knowledge and can take many forms, including research papers, grant proposals, bill proposals, curriculum materials, or hypermedia materials such as educational tablet apps.

In general, capstones and graduate dissertations are for students to display their scholarly knowledge and commitment toward a focused area of their graduate studies.

Finding the Best Online Masters in Education For You

In searching for the best online masters in education program for you, it is important to take a variety of factors into account in order to determine the best fit. Consider the specific type of degree being offered, the classroom setting, and the credit requirements for the program – among many other factors.

Sponsored Live Online Masters in Education and Teaching Program

University of Dayton

School of Education and Health Sciences

info

Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership

No GRE scores are required to apply to University of Dayton’s online MSE in Educational Leadership program. The program is 30 credits and can be completed in two years with the completion of an internship.

  • Optional path to principal licensure track
  • No GRE required to apply
  • Degree can be completed in as few as two years

info SPONSORED

Vanderbilt University

Peabody College of Education and Human Development

info

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations

Pursue an Ed.D. online from top-ranked Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Master degree or 30 credit hours of graduate-level study required. Build advanced leadership skills in as few as 3 years. 

  • Become an influential leader in your organization  
  • Part-time or full-time schedules available  
  • Complete your Ed.D. in as little as three years 

info SPONSORED

Information last updated: January 2026