UCO Continues to Help Educators Evolve with the Changing World of Education

Throughout the years, educators have always been called upon to be adaptable. Whether it’s to state testing standards, crowded (or sparse) classrooms, new technologies, or any number of other obstacles thrown their way, educators have always had to learn to “make it work” for the good of their students.

This past year was, perhaps, the definition of adaptability. The majority of colleges and universities were not open for in-person classes and instead had to adapt to remote learning, and practically on a dime at that.

Luckily, as one of the first institutions to offer online courses, the University of Cincinnati Online was already poised to serve even more students remotely – with an attention to convenience and quality. And we’ll continue to support those in education long after life returns to “normal.”

We believe it is as important now as ever to earn a University of Cincinnati Masters in Education degree, as 52% of public school teachers already have a master’s degree or higher and most teachers at the postsecondary level are required to have a master’s degree or higher.

UCO’s Masters in Education online programs plan on continuing support for those at the master’s level, with offerings in four fields.

Masters of Education University of Cincinnati Degrees

The University of Cincinnati Online offers master’s degrees in four areas:

• Educational Leadership. Educational Leadership involves working with teachers, students, and the community to implement diversity, inclusion, and fairness into the teaching curriculum as it pertains to meeting common educational goals. This program is ideal for licensed educators looking to further develop their knowledge and skills to enhance learning and to expand their earning potential through higher-level academic administration or leadership education roles, such as becoming a principal. Program graduates are also eligible to take the Ohio Assessment for Educators licensure exam.
• Curriculum & Instruction. Curriculum is the content deemed important for student learning. Instruction is the process by which that learning will be achieved. In addition to practicing teachers in the field, the Masters in Curriculum & Instruction program is appropriate for any professional interested in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating instructional programs in school and non-school settings.
• Special Education. The Master of Education in Special Education is the perfect fit for students enthusiastic about working with children and adults with disabilities. This program prepares students to have a sense of community awareness and ecologically-based service delivery to enhance and better the lives of all individuals with disabilities.
• Literacy & Secondary Language Studies. This degree program focuses on reading, writing, and speaking as language processes. We take students on a journey to broaden and deepen their understanding of the social, cultural, linguistic, and institutional factors that contribute to a learner’s ability to use reading, writing, and speaking in their first or second language. Our program is practitioner-based and students are paired with a faculty mentor throughout their program tenure.

Why Is Now a Good Time to Earn Your Masters of Education Online?

Did you know the wage premium for teachers with master’s degrees can be as high as 43% over educators who hold only a bachelor’s degree? And, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, educators with a master’s degree earn, on average, a higher salary than teachers with a bachelor’s degree, even if they have the same amount of experience.

Earning an advanced degree gives you a greater breadth of knowledge, which you can put toward not only teaching others, but other areas in your life and career as well. In addition, more knowledge can make you feel more prepared and confident in the classroom and give you a leg up on others when looking to move up in the educational system.

Although not guaranteed, you typically can anticipate a larger income with a higher degree. Factors that can affect your income include the state in which you teach, whether you’re at a public or private school, and in what type of classroom setting you teach.

Requirements, Skills, and Prior Degrees Needed for Our Master’s Degree Programs

As with all master’s degrees, there are admissions requirements you’ll need to have earned before applying to one of our Master’s in Education online programs.

Educational Leadership

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 at the undergraduate level or graduate level. Calculations are based on a 4.0 scale.
• Three Letters of Recommendation. One of the three letters must be from an immediate supervisor that can address the applicant’s formal teaching evaluations.
• A Goal Statement indicating career goals and area of concentration of interest.
• A current, valid professional teaching license.
• A minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience with a sanctioned school/district. This excludes time spent as a substitute teacher or time spent as a student teacher.

This Master in Educational Leadership degree is great for those educators who:

• Have been looking to advance their career in the education field.
• Want to move into education administration, special population education, become a principal, or simply to advance their classroom leadership.
• Want to be eligible to take the Ohio Assessment for Educators licensure exam.

Curriculum & Instruction

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 at the undergraduate level or graduate level. Calculations are based on a 4.0 scale.
• Three Letters of Recommendation. One of the three letters must be from an immediate supervisor that can address the applicant’s formal teaching evaluations.
• A Goal Statement indicating career goals and area of concentration of interest.
• A current, valid professional teaching license.
• A minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience with a sanctioned school/district. This excludes time spent as a substitute teacher or time spent as a student teacher.

This Masters Education Curriculum degree is great for those with experience as:

• A licensed teaching professional
• An education administration professional
• A STEM coordinator
• A school or district gifted leader

Special Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 at the undergraduate level or graduate level. Calculations are based on a 4.0 scale.
• Three Letters of Recommendation. One of the three letters must be from an immediate supervisor that can address the applicant’s formal teaching evaluations.
• A Goal Statement indicating career goals and area of concentration of interest with a cover letter.
• Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• A history of academic success.
• The ability to collaborate with others, including those from diverse populations.
• Leadership characteristics.
• Responsible, caring, fair, honest, and ethical behavior.
• A commitment to social justice and a diverse society.
• A history of good critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Enthusiasm for working with children and adults with disabilities.
• A commitment to equity and the betterment of individuals with disabilities.

Literacy & Secondary Language Studies

• The applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the undergraduate level.  GRE scores are optional for admission to the Master’s degree program, but are highly recommended to strengthen applications that may be weak in other areas.
• It is highly recommended that students applying to the PreK-16 Literacy Learning and Instruction have at least 2 years of teaching experience.
• Transfer credit policy for Master’s Degree and Graduate Certificates stipulates courses taken prior to admission into the program may be eligible for transfer into the program, if taken within 5 years prior to admission and if approved by the program faculty.
• Official paperwork is required and the appropriate forms may be obtained from the Director of Graduate Studies.
• To maintain active status in the program, students must register for at least one credit every academic year. Degree requirements must be completed within 5 years of the date of admission.
• Practicum coursework cannot be transferred into the program.
• Up to (9) semester credit hours can be transferred into the program upon approval of the department.

Career Path Outlook for Our Master’s in Education Degree Programs

Our Master’s of Education Degree programs lead to many rewarding careers.

Educational Leadership

• Principal certification
• Academic director or supervisor
• College provost
• Curriculum developer
• Tutor
• Educational consultant
• Special education specialist
• Athletic director

Curriculum & Instruction

• Curriculum and instruction specialist
• Curriculum design manager
• Education specialist
• Principal leadership
• Public, private, parochial, magnet, and charter school educators
• Museums or religious organizations offering education programs
• Textbook and curriculum companies
• Government organizations specializing in education

Special Education

• Special education in K-12 education
• Rehabilitation for occupational development and daily independence
• Community-based case management
• Disability advocacy,
• School and individualized consultation services
• Various other services related to individuals with disabilities and their families

Literacy & Secondary Language Studies

• Reading Specialist
• ESL Teacher
• Intervention Specialist
• Learning & Performance Consultant
• Professional Development Coordinator/Facilitator
• Curriculum Designer
• Community ESL Director

Why Choose UC Online’s Masters of Education program?

Many students choose to pursue their Masters in Education at UCO because:

• Our programs are 100% online
• M.Ed students are eligible for the GIA scholarship which equates to 30% off instructional fees
• It is easy to transfer credits
• Our programs can be enrolled into in the spring, summer, or fall semesters
• Programs can be completed in one year
• There are no GRE requirements for qualified applicants
• They have part-time flexibility
• Classes are taught by experts in the field and award-winning faculty

Ready to learn more? Get in touch with an enrollment services advisor today!