Best Online Master’s Degrees in Education Career and Salary Opportunities with a Graduate Degree in Education

Year 1

The first year of the online master’s in teaching program consists of foundation courses that set the stage for the concentration courses in the second year. Although the classes will all pertain to education in some way, they will be rather general. Some courses students might take include Education Psychology, Instructional Methods, Curriculum Development, and Teaching in the Diverse Classroom. Students can also choose courses in their concentration. For instance, those who want to work as school administrators might focus on additional business or management courses.

Year 2

The second year of the master’s in education program is all about a student’s chosen concentration, which include subjects such as elementary, secondary, or special education. This specialized coursework will push students through to the end of the program and prepare them to move into a more specialized area. In addition to the targeted coursework, students are also expected to complete their graduation requirements, which might include a comprehensive exam, research project, master’s thesis or internship. Most students can complete all of these requirements and their coursework within 18 to 24 months, so a third year is rarely required.

Testing & Graduation Requirements

In addition to successfully completing the required coursework during the two years of master’s degree study, students must also meet certain testing and graduation requirements to earn their teaching degree. Each school has its own requirements and might demand only one of the following; some might require students to complete two or three before graduating.

• Capstone project

  This project serves as representation of what students have learned during their time in the master’s of teaching program; it might include significant research and a report. Most capstones consist of a research project typically accompanied by a written portion and at some schools, an oral component demonstrating what students have learned.

• Comprehensive exam

  This test is designed to tap into skills and knowledge learned during the master’s program and prove competency in all areas. Exams may be catered to a student’s specialization. For instance, those who choose a secondary school concentration may be required to pass an exam in the subject they intend to teach.

• Master’s thesis

  The thesis is often a large research project that requires students to pour time and energy into their own unique ideas concerning education. Much like comprehensive exams, thesis requirements are often pegged to a student’s concentration such as special education or urban education.

• Teaching internship

  Internships give students real-world experience and are often a final requirement of a master’s degree in education program. For most graduate-level studies, internships will consist of student teaching hours, that involve working alongside established teachers to manage the classroom, create curriculum plans, and gain first-hand experience with different student groups.

• Teaching license or certificate

  Some programs include licensing and certification in their requirements; students must pass the licensing exam in order to meet their final requirement toward graduation. This prepares master’s program graduates to enter the workforce and prove their competency in teaching to schools and future employers.