Which Master of Education Degree Advances a Teacher’s Career?

If you’re an educator who wants to take on new leadership responsibilities or get a pay increase, earning a Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a proven way to ignite your career prospects. By furthering your education, you gain new knowledge and skills and boost your marketability and confidence as a classroom educator or school administrator. And, often, a master’s degree leads to a higher salary and a new educational consulting, administrative, leadership, and/or higher-education opportunity.

Choosing the best-for-you graduate program can be as easy as finding the niche that meets your career goals and interests; popular specialty M.Eds. include:

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Leadership
• Literacy and Second Language Studies
• Special Education

Hallmarks of a Stand-Out M.Ed. Degree

When it comes to finding the best program, look for an accredited university that provides you with the education and credentials that demonstrate your qualifications and advanced learning. And since you found this article, you’ve likely started your research and heard about the University of Cincinnati (UC) Online’s graduate programs for educators.

U.S. News & World Report cites UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services School of Education among the nation’s best with a top 50 ranking in Online Master of Education programs.

UC Online offers exceptional master’s programs in four specific areas. All coursework can be completed online, as there is no requirement to study on campus for your master’s degree. As a long-time leader in online education, we’re known for more than a dozen flexible, self-paced programs designed for busy, working educators with a lot on their plates.

Our M.Ed. program instructors are nationally renowned individuals who are enthusiastic about the field of education. Professors and instructors are strategically aligned and dedicated to specific programs, so the curriculum is most relevant and meaningful for our students.

As you explore the programs listed below, visit the faculty pages to learn more about the instructors.

In-Demand Online M.Ed. Programs

Here’s a high-level overview of UC Online’s graduate degree programs for educators.

Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed. – This program is designed for practicing teachers and other professionals interested in planning, developing, and implementing instructional programs in school and non-school settings. The three concentration study areas are STEM Education, Gifted Education, and Teaching and Learning in General Studies.

Courses in the program include Theories and Trends, Improving Instructional Effectiveness, and Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms. (View all courses.) Program graduates find employment as licensed teaching professionals, STEM coordinators, school or district gifted leaders, or education administration professionals.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 7% employment growth through 2031 for instructional coordinators. 
  Explore UC Online’s four M.Ed. degrees, five certificates, and four endorsements. Each graduate education program is 100% online.

Educational Leadership M.Ed. – This program provides the skills and knowledge to pursue an educational administrative or leadership role. The program prepares educators to become strong leaders within educational organizations. There are three areas of concentration: Special Education Leadership, Principal Leadership, and General Administration & Policy.

Courses include Educational Leadership Theory, School Law, and School and Community Partnerships. (View all courses.) Careers in educational leadership include the principal, academic director or supervisor, educational consultant, and tutor.

• The BLS projects a 5% employment growth for principals through 2031.

Literacy and Second Language Studies M.Ed. – This program explores strategies to devise tailored curricula, interventions, and assessments for students. You can personalize the master’s coursework by choosing one of these concentration areas: PreK-16 Literacy and Learning Instruction, PreK-12 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Focus, International/Adult Teaching English as a Second Language Focus, and Endorsement Graduate Certificate Programs.

Core courses are Foundations of First and Second Language Learning, Literacy as a Linguistic and Cultural Tool, and Master’s Culminating Experience: Literacy and Second Language Studies. (Explore all coursework.) Job opportunities include positions as a reading specialist, ESL (English as a second language) teacher, community ESL director, writing coordinator or tutor, and more.

• Each year through 2031, 4,700 openings for adult primary and secondary education and ESL teachers are projected by the BLS.

Special Education M.Ed. – This program is ideal for compassionate teachers seeking new knowledge and skills to better the lives of individuals with disabilities. There are three areas of concentration in specialized education, including Licensure with the option of Reading Endorsement, Supporting Students with Complex Needs, Transition to Work Endorsement, and Special Education Leadership.

Program courses include Advanced Strategies in Special Education, Promoting Positive Behaviors, and Foundations, Trends, and Issues in Special Education Leadership. (View program curriculum.) UC Online graduates work in K-12, hospitals, vocational training facilities, and other institutions providing services for individuals with disabilities.

• The BLS projects a 4% employment growth through 2031 for special education teachers.

Education Master’s Degree ROI

Where you live and work, your education (and where you study) will play a role in calculating your personal ROI by earning a master’s degree in education — but here are some compelling data:

The lifetime (40-year) median ROI for someone with a master’s degree is 433.5%. And when moving from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree, an individual’s annual salary increases by 38.8%, on average. (Source: Education Data Initiative)

In addition to a salary increase that delivers value year after year, getting a master’s in education degree can lead to greater job security. Many school districts and educational institutions require teachers and administrators to hold advanced degrees.

Choose a UC Online Graduate Program

We’re glad you are considering UC Online for your M.Ed. degree. We’ll leave you with one more thought: In addition to the programs we highlighted, we offer several fully online certificate and endorsement programs designed for educators. (Learn more here.)

If you’re ready to take the next step, get questions answered, or find out about tuition, aid, and military student support, contact us today and an Enrollment Services Advisor will be in touch.

We look forward to connecting and hearing which program is most interesting to you.