Best Master’s in Education Online Programs – 2024
April 18, 2024
Those interested in pursuing a master’s in education online will find a plethora of options to consider. However, it can be challenging to know which ones are ideal, especially when taking schedules and aspirations into account. If attending a college or university right now isn’t possible, and you’re wishing to advance your education career or are hoping to switch paths into the education field but can’t attend a college or university in-person, a master’s in education is a great way to make a significant impact on students and yourself. No matter your reason for wanting to enroll in an online master’s in education, what’s most important is understanding which program would be best tailored to your goals, schedule and interests. To help you get a head start, here are the top 20 best master’s in education online programs:
Best Master’s in Education Online Programs
1) Clemson University
Located in Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson is a large public institution offering master’s in education programs online. Clemson has an acceptance rate of 85%, and admitted students have an average undergraduate student GPA of 3.5. If for some reason you cannot attend a class online, Clemson records and archives all of their online education classes so that you can access them anytime. The estimated cost per credit begins at $499. Lastly, they are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
2) UF College of Education
The University of Florida’s College of Education is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. Over 93% of its students are already employed by the time of enrollment. The online master’s in education programs are great for working professionals and offer media-concentrated lessons while actively encouraging student engagement. With an acceptance rate of 81%, UF College of Education joins the list of best master’s in education online programs because of its accessibility and academics. The GRE is not required to apply.
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3) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Situated in Champaign, Illinois, UIUC is a public university that offers a range of online master’s in education programs. The university focuses on advancing the careers of working adults. In fact, roughly 89% of students are already employed when they enroll. With a faculty recognized for their innovative research and teaching, the university seeks to support their students’ academic and professional journey. Applicants do not have to take the GRE exam.
4) University at Albany – SUNY
Located in Albany, New York, this is a public institution offering an online master’s in education degree. With an acceptance rate of 85% and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.6, the University at Albany – SUNY joins this list of best master’s in education online programs. Strengths include the leading faculty and engaged support, providing students with an academic advisor, tutoring services, online library and 24/7 help desk.
5) University of North Texas
In Denton, Texas, the University of North Texas offers an accelerated online master’s in education program, which provides 8-week terms. All students who enroll at the University of North Texas are already employed. Additionally, the university has an acceptance rate of 70% and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.3. The time to complete the Educational Leadership MEd was brought down to 30 hours. Lastly, interested prospective students are not required to take the GRE exam.
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6) Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public university located in Tempe, Arizona. ASU offers a master’s in education online that has all of the classes recorded and archived for your convenience. With an acceptance rate of 94% and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.4, Arizona State University’s online master’s program seeks to “increase the capabilities of individual educators and improve the performance of education systems.” 92% of students at ASU are already employed by the time of enrollment. Lastly, no GRE exam is required to apply.
7) University of Wisconsin – Stout
Situated in Madison, Wisconsin, UW-Stout offers a 30-credit Master of Science degree in Education. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Focusing on teaching, learning and research, the program includes an action research project and is curated to advance career opportunities for licensed teachers (both past and present), instructors at post-secondary institutions and instructors in business and industry environments. The graduation rate is 88% and the admission rate is 68%.
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8) San Diego State University
San Diego State University, located in San Diego, California, offers an online master’s in education program through their MAT in Elementary and Secondary Education. The online MAT degree at SDSU is technology-based and is designed for teachers, giving them the chance to research different methods of education, such as inquiry-education. Altogether, SDSU has an acceptance rate of 95% and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.4 All students who enroll at SDSU are already employed.
9) University of Georgia
The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia offers a variety of online master’s in education programs. These include preparation programs for teachers and for those interested in options in cognition and psychology, technology, and human resources and adult education. Taught by internationally recognized faculty, the online graduate programs in education at UGA have an acceptance rate of 68%. Further, the average undergraduate GPA is 3.4. Due to their fee structure, the programs are available at an affordable cost for those living outside of Georgia. Lastly, applicants are not required to take the GRE.
10) Auburn University
Located in Auburn, Alabama, Auburn University offers a master’s in education online that has a large majority of courses by full-time tenured faculty and the same faculty teaching non-distance programs. Although the application deadlines are rolling, there is limited enrollment at Auburn University to ensure the quality of the education, and their acceptance rate is 70%. Auburn University’s online master’s in education programs are accredited with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
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11) Michigan State University
Michigan State University, sitting in East Lansing, Michigan, offers master’s in education online programs that support a wide variety of educators wishing to advance their impact. Classes taught online at MSU’s College of Education are limited to 40 students to encourage active engagement. Additionally, students can expect one-on-one academic advising throughout the program. The acceptance rate is 80% and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.5. Lastly, the online master’s in education programs are accredited with the Higher Learning Commission.
12) Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is located in College Station, Texas and offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction. The program “provides a sound combination of theory, methodology and a substantive content area,” according to their website. The online master’s program in education at Texas A&M is a 36-hour, non-thesis degree. Further, it is focused on evidence-based research that fosters “agentive development” in settings with PK-12 students. Texas A&M is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
13) Montclair State University
Montclair State University offers online master’s in education programs through the College for Education and Engaged Learning. They implement their valued vision in social justice and equity leadership, and they are accredited with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. They provide students with internship and networking opportunities, and all classes in their online graduate degrees in education are recorded for accessibility. MSU has an acceptance rate of 97% and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.3.
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14) University of Houston
Situated in Houston, Texas, the University of Houston offers numerous flexible and high-quality online master’s in education programs. These offerings are attractive to both domestic and international students. Students enrolled in the online programs at the University of Houston will be taught by award-winning faculty and be part of a diverse cohort. By the time of enrollment, 79% are already employed. The university has an acceptance rate of 74% and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.3.
15) UMASS Lowell
Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers online graduate programs in education that are taught by their full-time faculty and each demands interactive participation throughout the respective courses. Every week, on top of completing the expected coursework, students are expected to take part in chat sessions and discussions with the instructor. Additionally, frequent group work is required. Overall, the acceptance rate at UMASS Lowell is 92% and the university has an average undergraduate GPA of 3.4 Graduates from their online master’s in education programs become accredited through the New England Commission of Higher Education.
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16) Kansas State University
Kansas State University sits in Manhattan, Kansas and is a public land-grant research university that offers online master’s in education programs through their College of Education. Students at KSU can expect smaller classrooms with a lower student-to-teacher ratio. Additionally, and they are also given the same assistance as on-campus students, such as in technical assistance, student services, library services or financial aid. KSU has rolling admission and the GRE exam is not required to apply.
17) Penn State World Campus
Firstly, PSU’s in-person campus is located in University Park, Pennsylvania. The PSU World Campus is their online presence from which students can earn a diploma identical to a resident student. Penn State has offered an online education for over 20 years and through their College of Education they provide several online master’s in education programs. Courses are taught by nationally-recognized faculty, and with rolling admission, Penn State has a 94% acceptance rate.
18) University of Missouri
Sitting in Columbia, Missouri, the University of Missouri joins this list of best master’s in education online programs. In total, they offer about 50 accredited online master’s, educational specialist, certification preparation, doctorate and graduate certificate options. If you pursue your graduate studies online at the University of Missouri, you’ll be expected to pay in-state tuition. However, the wide variety of program choices makes it a great option for those considering a specific route.
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19) University of South Carolina
UofSC, situated in Columbia, South Carolina, is a public institution that offers several online master’s in education degrees. The programs are accredited with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Additionally, students enrolled online have access to an extensive network of mentors and partners. Among their newer programs are the coaching education and adapted physical education courses. Lastly, all of the University of South Carolina’s online master’s in education classes are recorded and archived.
20) University of Alabama
Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the University of Alabama offers several master’s in education online programs. Specifically, they offer a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration or the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Reduced Hour Option (Instructional Leadership Certification). These online master’s in education programs are flexible to your schedule. Furthermore, they are a cost-effective option with their tuition per credit starting at $440. Lastly, online graduates will receive accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the acceptance rate is currently 77%.
The online master’s in education program that is right for you
Whether your professional aspirations are to become a school administrator or head of a department, a master’s in education is designed to help you navigate situations in various leadership positions. It’s important to distinguish between the distinct types of master’s degrees in education, but you’ll see that the main two are the master of education (M.Ed.) and the master of arts in teaching (MAT). The stark difference between the two programs is that the M.Ed. will focus on a wider range of education roles in administration and leadership. Contrarily, the MAT is for students who wish to teach in the classroom.
Also, depending on where you live and from which program you’ll receive your degree, be sure to check how each program you’re interested in aligns with state teaching certification requirements. Every state in the United States will have its own teacher certification requirements regarding exams, coursework and student teaching. Like any other graduate program, universities offering an online master’s in education will have their own specific admissions requirements as well. For example, whether you need to submit a GRE score or not.
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