DEGREES & PROGRAMS
Master's Degrees for Currently Licensed Teachers
Megan Smith, M.A. English Language Learning grad and WGU Mentor
WGU Programs for Currently Licensed 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 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 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 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
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
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.
Education
English Language Learning (PreK–12) Endorsement Prep
An online program for currently licensed elementary and secondary school...
An online program for currently licensed elementary and secondary school teachers who desire to be licensed to teach in ELL or ESL settings.
Become highly qualified in ELL or ESL, increase your career opportunities, earn re-licensure points, and possibly become eligible for lane changes leading to increased salary.
- Time: 62% of students finish within 13 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
This program is for current teachers who are looking to earn an ELL/ESL endorsement.
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
Advance your teaching career and help ensure language barriers don't become a barrier to learning.
What is a Master’s Degree for Currently Licensed Teachers?
A master’s degree for currently licensed teachers enables educators who already hold a bachelor’s degree and teaching license to progress further in their career. Many current teachers pursue this type of degree in order to increase their salary and improve their career outlook.
At WGU, we understand that teachers have a lot on their plate, so we offer flexible master’s degree programs that provide the skills and credentials they need to move ahead in their careers while handling the daily stress of being an educator. Our online course format allows teachers to keep teaching while they work toward an advanced degree online, on their time.
Our master’s degrees for licensed teachers are competency based, meaning teachers can use their existing skills to advance through courses at an accelerated pace. We offer several different master’s programs, so we encourage you to browse our degree offerings to find the right fit.
How Long Does it Take for Currently Licensed Teachers to Earn a Master’s Degree?
24 Months*
Currently licensed teachers can earn a master’s degree at WGU in as few as 18 to 24 months, on average. Some finish even more quickly. How? Our unique online competency-based education model allows students to accelerate their progress by using their existing knowledge to advance quickly through the material they already know.
*WGU Internal Data
How Much More Can Currently Licensed Teachers Earn With A Master’s Degree?
$5,000+*
It can vary greatly depending on the specific state and school district, but on average, currently licensed teachers who earn a master’s degree earn at least $5,000 more per year than those without, with that number rising to $10,000 or more per year as teachers reach the maximum available salary. For the most accurate information, it’s best to check with your specific district and school.
*WGU Internal Data
Can Currently Licensed Teachers Get Additional Certifications?
Yes
Yes. Currently licensed teachers can gain additional certifications that allow them to teach additional subjects or age groups. Many add to their licenses by earning an accredited master’s degree. Be sure to research how licensing and certification works in your individual state, district, and school.
Who Should Earn This Type of Master’s Degree?
Our master’s degrees for licensed teachers are built for those who already have their initial licensure and are looking to add to their existing credentials. Teachers who want to gain an additional license or qualify to teach another subject are great candidates for our teaching master’s degrees at WGU.
Whether your goal is to improve your earning potential or just broaden your skillset, we’ll work with you to understand your unique situation and goals and help you select the best degree program.
Type of student:
- Elementary education
- Middle school (secondary education)
- High school (secondary education)
- Special education
- ELL or ESL
Education topic:
- Math
- English
- Science (different specialties like chemistry, biology, etc.)
- History
- Social studies
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.
Teaching Education Programs
Why Choose WGU For a Master's Degree?
WGU is a great fit for your master’s degree in teaching 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 education empowers you to use your existing knowledge to accelerate your program and graduate faster. The faster you graduate, the more money you save.
- We offer scholarships and financial aid to help with the cost of our already affordable tuition, making college education more accessible.
- Respected and accredited programs help your master’s degree provide real value to you as an educator.
What are the Benefits for Currently Licensed Teachers to Earn A Master’s Degree?
Teachers who earn a master’s degree enjoy many benefits. Some of the benefits of earning a master’s degree as a teacher include:
- Increasing your knowledge. Earning an advanced degree will make you a more knowledgeable and qualified teacher. An advanced teaching degree from WGU will help you learn new teaching methods, update you on the most current education strategies, and even provide the depth of knowledge you need to teach a new subject. A master’s in teaching will help you become a better teacher and connect more with your students.
- Boosting your earning potential. Earning a degree is a great way to help your students, but it's also an important way to advance your own career. Many schools offer earning increases for teachers who obtain an advanced degree. An advanced degree helps put you in a position to earn more money and take that next step in your career.
- Adding to your license. A master's degree adds to your résumé in more ways than one. These degrees allow you to add to your teaching license and qualifies you to teach other academic subjects or more advanced courses in your current subject. If you're ready to take on a new subject, teach different ages of students, and bolster your credentials, a master's degree that adds to your license is a great step.
- Building your professional network. Making connections with other teachers is key to progressing inside your career. In a master’s program you can meet and work with other educators like you who can provide useful advice and support. An expanded network helps you improve and progress as an educator, as well as gives you relationships that could benefit your career down the road.
- Opening yourself up to additional career opportunities. By earning an advanced degree, you gain skills that advance your career and improve your earning potential as a teacher. Beyond that, a master’s degree opens up additional career opportunities for you. Moving to a new school, a new group of students, or a new subject are all possible with the help of a master's degree. Higher education expands your mind and shows employers in all fields that you’re an avid learner. If you want to expand your horizons and give yourself options, earning a master’s degree is a smart choice.
- Improving your job security. The most qualified teachers stand out. And when changes have to be made or additional classes need to be taught, they get priority. Gaining more skills, education, and certifications can give you greater job security as a teacher. A master’s degree in teaching from WGU will give you the skills and licensure you need to gain that respect and responsibility. The more qualified you are, the more valuable you become.
