Online Education Master’s Degrees
Drive student achievement with your expertise.
Hone Your Expertise and Instructional Effectiveness
Whether you seek an initial teaching license, deeper knowledge in your subject area or advancement to the next stage of your career, a master’s degree in education from American College of Education (ACE) can help you reach your goal.
Learn from faculty who are active educators, principals and superintendents. Complete career-relevant assignments that turn theory into practical strategies you can use right away. An online master’s degree from ACE means you’re well-equipped to support your students grow, learn and achieve.
The Right Master’s Degree for You
ACE has both master of education (M.Ed.) and master of arts in teaching (MAT) degrees. Our MAT programs are largely designed for aspiring educators seeking licensure, while our M.Ed. programs give experienced educators the opportunity to deepen expertise in specific subject areas or prepare to move beyond the classroom into leadership positions. Learn more about each type of master’s degree to determine the one that’s right for you.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
A master’s degree in education helps you learn specialized knowledge to excel in subject area education or instructional implementation through curriculum and instruction development, course creation and design, teacher leadership, educational technology, and more. But it also goes beyond that. You’ll hone in-demand skills that can increase your capacity for problem-solving and leadership, such as:
- Strategic planning
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Research assessment
- Resource allocation
- Collaboration techniques
- Communication strategies
Education Career Alignment
A master’s degree in education can prepare you for a multitude of career paths. Work directly with pre-K-12 students in the classroom or support them from outside the classroom through curriculum development or academic advising. Experienced educators can leverage a master’s to impact education at a higher level through coaching, director or principal positions.
Below are just some of the roles you could pursue with a master’s, paired with a teaching license. You can learn more about these positions by exploring our in-depth career guides.
Master’s Degree in Education Admission
Along with ACE’s general admission requirements, prospective master’s degree students must hold a degree at the bachelor’s or post-baccalaureate level. GPA requirements can vary by program. Some programs also require additional documentation, such as a resume or teaching license. Find detailed admission requirements for your program of interest on the program’s page.
*Source: Student Right to Know
Master’s Degree in Education FAQs
What can you do with a master’s degree in education?
Most classroom teachers hold a master’s degree in education. An education master’s degree can also be used to get other jobs within schools or the education field, such as curriculum designer, academic advisor, instructional coach, director of special education and principal, just to name a few. If you desire to build a career in education, a master’s in the field can help you achieve that goal.
Is a master’s in education worth it?
Yes. There are some jobs within education that only require a bachelor’s, but many others prefer or require a master’s degree. Having your master’s can give you access to more career opportunities.
How long does it take to earn a master’s in education online?
The length of a master’s degree in education typically varies between one and two years. However, many of ACE’s master’s degrees can be completed in as little as 12 months.1 We allow our students to take multiple courses at once to accelerate their degrees. You get to control your pace based on your preference and schedule.
What specializations are available for master’s in education programs?
There are many specialization options. Some cover broader aspects of education, like curriculum and instruction, technology, early childhood education or educational leadership. Others focus on niche or content area expertise, like STEM education, math, special education and literacy. To browse all the specializations ACE offers, explore our list of programs above.
How much does a master’s in education cost?
Unlike other colleges and universities, most ACE’s master’s degrees have a total cost of under $10,000.2
What’s the difference between a master’s in education (M.Ed.) and a master of arts in teaching (MAT)?
MAT programs are largely designed for aspiring educators seeking licensure, focused on hands-on learning and building practical teaching skills and instructional techniques. M.Ed. programs are primarily designed for those already working in education to deepen expertise in specific subject areas or prepare to move beyond the classroom into leadership positions. For a deep dive into the differences between these master’s degrees, read our MAT vs. M.Ed. degree guide.
1This is an estimated time to completion. Actual completion time may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied, availability of courses, a satisfactory pace, multiple course requests, successful course completion and meeting program milestones as required.
2All values shown are an estimated value of the cost of tuition and fees. Actual amounts may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, the receipt of scholarship or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.