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DEGREES & PROGRAMS

Master of Science in Education Degree Programs

Known as M.S., M.SEd, or M.Ed

Amanda, M.S. Curriculum & Instruction student

WGU M.S. in Education Programs

Education
COMPARE

Curriculum and Instruction – M.S.

An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and...

An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and are looking to further their careers with a graduate program focused on curriculum development and design.

  • Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 12 months.
  • Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 10 total courses in this program.

Concepts included in this program:

  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Curriculum and Instruction Design
  • Educational Research
  • Assessment

Help schools create engaging, meaningful, and memorable learning experiences to improve learning outcomes for all students with this M.S. degree.

Education
COMPARE

Educational Leadership – M.S.

An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a...

An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a school or district leadership position, like principal, vice principal, or administrator.

  • Time: 60% of grads earned this degree within 23 months.
  • Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 13 total courses in this program.

This program is for licensed teachers who are ready to take the next step in their education career.

Concepts included in this program:

  • School Law
  • School Financial Leadership
  • People & Talent
  • School Operations and Management
  • Leadership Ethics

Put your leadership skills to good use—in the service of America's children—with this education master's degree. 

States that do not accept this program: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota.

Education
COMPARE

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

Concepts 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.

What Is a Master of Science in Education?

An M.S. in Education is a graduate degree that helps current and future educators, or those interested in training and instruction, gain the skills and qualifications necessary to advance in their careers. A master's degree can help teachers move beyond the classroom into administrative roles, whether that’s a step up into a leadership position like principal, vice principal, or administrator, or a job in curriculum development and design. It also can help those who want to move into an instructional field get the qualifications they need to become a curriculum designer, instructional trainer, and more.

The advanced education master's degree programs at WGU include rigorous coursework and curriculum that prepare you to better help students learn while setting yourself up to progress in your career. WGU graduate programs in education can be completed online on your schedule, making it possible for you to continue teaching or working while you progress toward a master’s degree. We also value the skills you already possess—our unique competency-based education model lets you progress through courses more quickly using your existing knowledge. Teacher education is key for allowing educators to progress in their careers and their lives.

How Long Does an M.S. in Education Program Take?

24 Months*

On average, most students take about 24 months to complete a Master of Science in Education program. However, with competency-based coursework, you can use your experience and time to accelerate your lessons and graduate faster.

*WGU Internal Data

How Much Does an M.S. in Education Cost?

$4,125

At WGU, the Master of Science programs are $4,125 per six-month term. Students can take as many courses as they are able during that term and not pay more. This allows them to save time, and money.

Why are there so many abbreviations?

M.SEd, M.Ed, and M.S.

There are many abbreviations that can be used to describe these similar types of programs. A Master of Science (M.S.) program, a Master of Science in Education (M.SEd) and a Master of Education (M.Ed) program are often similar in subject matter and can lead to similar career outcomes.

Who should get a Master of Science in Education Degree?


 

Some master's degrees in education will require that you have a bachelor’s degree in education and are a licensed teacher. Others will just require a bachelor’s degree, or a degree and some teaching experience. It’s important to understand the requirements before you apply. A desire to move into academic administration and leadership will require a teaching license, while curriculum design will require some instructional experience. The learning experience design and educational technology at WGU simply requires you hold a bachelor's degree.

M.S. or M.Ed degrees can be a great fit for current teachers who want to move beyond the classroom, or for those working in education looking to advance their experience in the field.

Some M.S. in Education students are business professionals looking to develop their instructional and training focus and progress their career in that way. Whatever your background and future aspirations, there is a Master of Education program that can fit your needs.

Why Choose WGU For Your Education Master's Degree?

WGU is a great place to pursue your M.S. degree for many reasons:

  • 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 curriculum means you can use your knowledge to your advantage, passing assessments to accelerate your program and graduate 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.

What's the Difference Between an M.Ed and an M.S. at WGU?

There are a few differences between the Master’s in Education (M.Ed) degree and an M.S. in Education degrees at WGU. While both are Master of Education degrees, they prepare you to advance your career in different ways.

For example, an M.Ed, or Master of Arts in Education can be a good fit for those who want to advance their education careers into technology, development, and training. This program can also be a great fit for business professionals who want to advance their training and development skills.

The M.S. in Education degrees at WGU are more geared for educational professionals who want to move into educational administration or curriculum development. These programs can help current teachers or other educational professionals advance in their career goals outside the classroom.

Learn About a Career in Education