Earning a master’s in education is a great way to access the best teaching and administration careers. This postgraduate degree can grant you a specialized skill set, prepare you for teaching licensure, increase your earning potential, and teach you even more about leadership and learning theory. Choosing an online master’s program could allow you the flexibility to study at your own pace while working full-time and maintaining your other responsibilities.
What Is a Master’s in Education?
A master’s degree in education is a postgraduate credential that prepares students for specialized roles in teaching, school administration, counseling, curriculum and instruction, and other similar disciplines. Some examples of common master’s degrees in education include a Master of Arts in English Teaching, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership, or a Master of Arts in Special Education.
These degrees help qualify individuals for careers in primary, secondary, and higher education. Most master’s in education programs focus on one area of study and usually emphasize advanced theoretical and applied topics and in-depth analysis. Traditionally, a master’s in education takes two or more years to complete, but some online programs could allow you to finish faster.
Many universities—including the ones discussed below—offer a myriad of options regarding master’s degrees in education.
The Best Online Master’s in Education Programs
In this article, you’ll find some of the best online master’s in education programs available. Criteria for each school includes the number of students enrolled online, whether a credit transfer policy is offered, the average tuition cost, and other relevant factors. Read on to learn about these programs and then decide which one is best for you.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers more than 70 accredited bachelor’s and master’s programs. Known for its affordable, flat-rate tuition and competency-based education model, WGU allows students to accelerate their degree by advancing through their program as fast as they demonstrate mastery of the material, potentially saving time and money.
WGU’s School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and offers three Master of Science in Education programs, nine Master of Arts in Education programs for licensed teachers, and six Master of Arts in Teaching programs leading to teacher licensure.
- Average undergraduate tuition: $3,825 per six-month term
- Average graduate tuition: $3,975 per six-month term
- Average cost per credit: N/A (flat rate per six-month term)
- Number of students enrolled online: 37,685
- Number of bachelor’s programs: 11
- Number of graduate programs: 18
- Transfer credits accepted? Yes
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university with campuses in the Phoenix metropolitan area. ASU Online is its online platform, offering more than 150 accredited bachelor’s and master’s programs. ASU is one of the largest universities by enrollment in the U.S.
ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College—ranked seventh in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs by U.S. News—offers degrees in a variety of subject areas, from administration and language teaching to special education.
- Average undergraduate tuition: Approximately $12,909 per year (in-state), $15,113 per year (out-of-state)
- Average graduate tuition: Approximately $14,621 per year (in-state), $15,805 per year (out-of-state)
- Average cost per credit: $654
- Number of students enrolled online: 5,445
- Number of bachelor’s programs: 4
- Number of graduate programs: 18
- Transfer credits accepted? Yes
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university that offers accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees online. The university comprises 16 schools and colleges, with its College of Education as the center for undergraduate and graduate education programs.
Ranked within the top 10 best online master’s in education programs in the country, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign values continuous student support via weekly online synchronous sessions and teaches industry-aligned skills to students hoping to expand their knowledge in teaching and education.
- Average undergraduate tuition: Approximately $4,584 (in-state), $11,244 (out-of-state)
- Average graduate tuition: Approximately $4,590 (in-state), $11,160 (out-of-state)
- Average cost per credit: $500
- Number of students enrolled online: 418
- Number of bachelor’s programs: 12 (on-campus)
- Number of graduate programs: 9
- Transfer credits accepted? Yes
Auburn University
Auburn University is the second-largest university in Alabama, with more than 33,000 total students enrolled. Auburn University’s College of Education contains departments in curriculum and teaching, education leadership and technology, kinesiology, and more. Earning a master’s in education at Auburn can expose you to traditional teaching disciplines in addition to school administration, health professions, and counseling.
While Auburn’s College of Education offers more than 60 programs overall, you can opt to study via their online platform, which provides seven bachelor’s and 12 master’s programs.
- Average undergraduate tuition: Approximately $5,352 (in-state), $16,056 (out-of-state)
- Average graduate tuition: Approximately $5,346 (in-state), $16,038 (out-of-state)
- Average cost per credit: $630
- Number of students enrolled online: 259
- Number of bachelor’s programs: 7
- Number of graduate programs: 12
- Transfer credits accepted? Yes
Johns Hopkins University
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins University is a private, nonprofit university known for its robust research endeavors and competitive student acceptance rates. The Johns Hopkins School of Education in particular was established in 2007 and offers initial licensure master’s degrees and doctoral-level degrees.
Individual departments in the School of Education include Teacher Preparation, Teacher Development and Leadership, Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, and more.
- Average undergraduate tuition: N/A
- Average graduate tuition: $52,920–$58,380 per year
- Average cost per credit: $1,025
- Number of students enrolled online: 1,732
- Number of bachelor’s programs: N/A
- Number of graduate programs: 4
- Transfer credits accepted? Yes
University of Florida
The Gainesville-based University of Florida offers online degree programs in education tailored to working students. Its College of Education is regularly ranked one of the best in the country, with U.S. News ranking it No. 1 in Online Graduate Education in 2023.
You’ll find a variety of programs in its three schools: The School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education; the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies; and the School of Teaching and Learning.
- Average undergraduate tuition: Approximately $3,876 (in-state), $16,580 (out-of-state)
- Average graduate tuition: Approximately $12,740 (in-state), $30,134 (out-of-state)
- Average cost per credit: $553
- Number of students enrolled online: 437
- Number of bachelor’s programs: 3
- Number of graduate programs: 19
- Transfer credits accepted? Yes
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia has its main campus in Athens, GA, and is the flagship school of the University System of Georgia. It is home to the Mary Frances Early College of Education, which offers more than 80 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in subject areas ranging from science and social studies education to educational psychology.
Students of this college can also complete educational specialist programs to gain even more specialized knowledge and skills in teaching, curriculum planning, and more.
- Average undergraduate tuition: Approximately $4,895 (in-state), $14,415 (out-of-state)
- Average graduate tuition: Approximately $370/hr. (in-state), $1,050/hr. (out-of-state)
- Average cost per credit: $629
- Number of students enrolled online: 322
- Number of bachelor’s programs: 1 (online)
- Number of graduate programs: 11 (online)
- Transfer credits accepted? Yes
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Education?
Those who earn a master’s degree in education can advance their careers in teaching, educational administration, instructional leadership, and other related fields. A master’s degree can increase your earning potential, qualifying you for promotions or higher-paying job roles. You may also enjoy improved job security with a master’s degree.
Common Admission Requirements for an Online Master’s in Education
In general, most universities require that you complete several steps before being admitted to a master’s in education program. These requirements may differ depending on the institution. These include the following:
- Complete your application
- Submit your transcripts
- Achieve a sufficient GPA
- Submit your résumé and cover letter
- Write and submit a statement of purpose or letter of intent
- Acquire and submit letters of recommendation
Consider these top online master’s in education programs as you prepare for your career.
