DEGREES & PROGRAMS
Master of Arts in Education
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What Is a Master of Arts in Education?
A Master of Arts in Education, Master of Education, or M.Ed. degree is a graduate degree program that focuses on education and development. This kind of degree program is ideal for both current teachers and those who don't have classroom experience—anyone who wants to be involved in the education system and work on the policies and procedures of learning could benefit from an M.Ed degree.
WGU offers M.Ed programs for those who currently hold a bachelor's degree in either a teaching or non-teaching field. If you're looking to further your career in education or make a career switch toward education, an M.Ed. degree program could be a great fit for you. Whether you want to implement curriculum for classrooms, develop policies for school systems, or train organizations on best educational practices, there are options if you have a Masters of Education degree.
Education Master's Degrees for Aspiring Teachers
Education
Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification...
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification program for aspiring elementary school teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 28 total courses in this program (29 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online teacher's degree requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Teaching, Special Education (K–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to...
An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to further their careers with a focus on K–12 special education.
- Time: 64% of students finish similar programs in 22 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 30 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and are looking to earn their initial teaching license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Guidelines in Special Education
- Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Methods of Instruction and Intervention
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Find a rewarding career teaching students with diverse challenges and special learning abilities with this teaching master's degree.
Education
Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school or high school math teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on the teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish this high school math teaching degree within 25 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 21 total courses in this program (22 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Algebra for Secondary Teaching
- Geometry for Secondary Teaching
- Statistics and Probability for Secondary Teaching
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Educational Psychology
This online teaching degree in secondary math education requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This program differs from the M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) program in that it includes courses in upper levels of calculus, including advanced calculus and mathematical modeling. Graduates from this secondary math degree program will be eligible for a teaching license in any of the 50 states.
Education
Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school English teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 63% of students finish this online English degree program within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- English Pedagogy
- Reading Instruction and Interventions
- Disciplinary Literacy
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
This online English degree prepares students for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online master's teaching degree and teacher certification program for...
An online master's teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school science teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 62% of students finish this secondary science teaching degree within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 18 total courses in this program (19 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Science Technology
- Science Methods
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Essential Practices for Supporting Diverse Learners
This program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. You'll be prepared to teach in middle school or high school settings, based on teaching certification in your state.
Education Master's Degrees for Current Teachers
Education
Science Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching science to middle school students.
Available in all states that offer a middle-grades general science endorsement.
- Time: 63% of students earned this degree within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 total courses in this program.
This program is for currently licensed teacher who want to add middle-grades science to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth science
- Space science
Propel your career as a middle school or junior high science teacher with this M.A. degree.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching chemistry to middle or high school students.
- Time: 64% of students earn this degree within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- General Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Propel your career as a junior high or high school chemistry teacher with this education master's degree.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching earth science to middle or high school students.
- Time: 60% of students earn this degree within 14 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
This program is designed for already-licensed teachers who want to add secondary earth science to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Physical Geology
- Earth Systems
- Astronomy
- Ocean Systems
- Chemistry
Propel your career as a junior high or high school geoscience teacher with this education master's degree.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching biology to middle or high school students.
- Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 13 total courses in this program.
This program is designed for already-licensed teachers who want to add secondary biology to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Heredity and Genetics
- Zoology
Propel your career as a junior high or high school biology teacher with this education master's degree.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Physics) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching physics to middle or high school students.
- Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 15 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 13 total courses in this program.
This program is designed for already-licensed teachers who wish to add secondary physics to their licensure.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- General Chemistry
- Mechanics
- Waves and optics
- Electricity and magnetism
- Space, time and motion
Propel your career as a junior high or high school physics teacher with this education master's degree.
Education
Mathematics Education (K–6) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching math to elementary school students.
- Time: 61% of students earn this degree within 12 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program.
This program is for current teachers who are looking to add K-6 math education to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Number Sense and Functions
- Graphing
- Geometry and Statistics
- Research Design
Focus your teaching passion on instilling in elementary-age students a love of math with this education master's degree.
Education
Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching math to middle school students. Available in states that offer a middle-grades math teaching endorsement.
- Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 16 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 total courses in this program.
This program is designed for current teachers who are looking to add middle grade math to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- College algebra
- Finite mathematics
- Trigonometry and pre-calculus
- Mathematics learning and teaching
- College geometry
- Probability and statistics
- Calculus
Focus your teaching passion on instilling in junior high students a love of math with this education master's degree.
Education
Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching math to middle and high school students.
- Time: 64% of students earn this degree within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 18 total courses in this program.
This program is designd for current teachers who are looking to add secondary math to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Trigonometry and pre-calculus
- College geometry
- Calculus
- Probability and statistics
- Algebra for secondary mathematics teaching
- Mathematics history and technology
- Mathematical modeling and applications
Focus your teaching passion on instilling in junior high or high school students a love of math with this education master's degree.
Education
English Language Learning (PreK–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers whose next career goal...
An online master's degree for current teachers whose next career goal includes a focus on teaching in ELL or ESL settings.
- Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program is for current teachers who are looking to add ELL or ESL to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Assessment Theory and Practice
- Language Production, Theory and Acquisition
- Instruction Planning and Implementation
- Theories of Second Language Acquisition
Grow your teaching career on a commitment to ensuring language barriers don't become a barrier to learning with this education master's degree.
Other Education Master's Degrees
Education
Education Technology and Instructional Design – M.Ed.
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for...
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for instructional designers tasked with creating engaging and immersive virtual learning experiences that can substitute for on-ground instruction.
No teaching license required.
- Time: 62% of students finish this program in 10 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
This program includes two tracks for students to choose from:
- The K-12 pathway
- The Adult Learner pathway
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Learning Experience Design
- Assessment and Learning Analytics
- Learning Technology
- Research Methodology
Develop training and instruction expertise to help you in the classroom, in educational settings, or in corporate world.
WGU’s School of Education provides a path for students to become licensed/certified teachers in each U.S. state and territory. In some cases, our program has already been approved for direct licensure/certification in your state. In other cases, you may apply for licensure/certification through reciprocity. Your Enrollment Counselor can give you specific information on your program of interest and how you may ultimately earn a license in your state. Please note that some programs do not have a corresponding license in certain states.
What Can You Do With a Master of Arts in Education?
There are many career options for those with an M.Ed degree, including:
Principal/Vice principal
School counselor
Learning experience designer
Curriculum designer
Instructional coordinator
Superintendent
Corporate trainer
Librarian
School director
What's the Difference Between an MAT and M.Ed?
A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree focuses on licensure and training for those who want to be in the classroom. A Master of Arts in Education (M.Ed) degree tends to focus more on leadership and other educational principles to lead to other types of careers outside of teaching in the classroom. The requirements for these programs will be very different as well, with M.Ed curriculum and instruction focused more on policies and procedures, and MAT instruction and curriculum focused more on the actual requirements to become a teacher and run a classroom successfully.
Is a Master of Arts in Education Degree Worth it?
If you want to pursue administration or advanced educational careers outside the classroom, an M.Ed degree is absolutely worth it. This degree will be a critical step in preparing you with the skills and credentials you will need to further your career or move in a new direction. Many advanced educational careers will have a requirement of an M.Ed degree to be considered.
What Are the Benefits of a Master of Education Degree?
There are many benefits to choosing to pursue a Master of Arts in Education degree program, including:
- Increase your knowledge. A master's degree in education gives you a unique opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills by providing you with critical coursework in understanding education and learning as a whole. For many careers, this knowledge will be vital.
- Make a career change. If you're currently in the classroom or even in a non-teaching profession, an M.Ed degree can help you make a shift to a more leadership, administrative, or training focused career. This credential will be vital in many of the types of careers you may be interested in.
- Increase earning potential. Professionals with advanced degrees have the ability to earn raises and have higher salary levels all throughout their career. A Master of Arts in Education degree program can help you boost your résumé and make you eligible for higher paying positions.
- Improve job security. Professionals with higher education often see greater job security because their skills set them apart. This credential could be key in helping you land and keep a job in the education field.
- Build a professional network. When you pursue higher education, you'll meet other like-minded educators who are passionate about helping learners, just like you. Creating a network of other professionals is an important part of your career journey.
- Gain more respect. Higher education is a key way to gain more respect from your peers and administration. An M.Ed degree will demonstrate that you are committed to furthering yourself, and committed to being the professional in the education field.
Learn About a Career in Education
Why Choose WGU For Your Master of Arts in Education Degree?
WGU is a great fit for your M.Ed degree for many reasons, including:
- Low, flat-rate tuition means that you're charged the same amount per six-month term, regardless of how many classes you take.
- Competency-based education means you can use your knowledge to your advantage, accelerating your program and graduating faster. Graduating faster also saves you money.
- We offer scholarships and financial aid to help with our already affordable tuition, making college education accessible for even more students.
- Respected and accredited programs ensure that your M.Ed degree is meaningful for you as an educator.
Who Should Get a Master of Arts in Education Degree?
M.Ed degrees are ideal options for current or aspiring educators who want to be more involved in the behind-the-scenes elements of learning. Creating curriculum, becoming an administrator, understanding instructional techniques, training corporate leaders or teachers—all of these things can come from M.Ed degrees. An M.Ed degree can be pursue by current teachers who want to stay in the classroom and just have some additional learning as well. However, more often educators who want to move into different fields of education such as leadership, curriculum creation, instruction, technology, and more will find a benefit from an M.Ed degree.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
The Teachers College at Western Governors University is granted accreditation for its programs from CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077.
Every education program offered through the WGU Teachers College has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through 2025.
WGU is a top conferrer of STEM degrees that is partnered with Beyond100K. WGU joins nonprofits, government agencies, companies, and foundations to combat challenges and prepare more teachers for STEM teaching positions nationwide.
