Best Online Master’s in Secondary Education

An online master’s in secondary education helps you develop advanced pedagogical insights or teaching skills. Educators working with middle and high school students often benefit from these programs.

Master’s degrees are becoming more popular with teachers, as shown by a 2023 National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) report. The NCES found that from the 2011-2012 to the 2020-2021 school years, the number of U.S. public school teachers with master’s degrees rose from 48% to 51%.

As teachers earn advanced degrees at higher rates, an online master’s in secondary education can help you keep pace. Explore tips on what to expect from programs and how to choose the right learning opportunity in this helpful guide.

Master’s in secondary education programs differ in their objectives. Some target educators working toward non-licensure careers, while others equip certified teachers with advanced credentials. As you research programs, make sure they match your long-term career goals.

Degrees geared toward educators on non-licensure career tracks aim to build deeper skills with broader professional perspectives. Licensure-track degrees include more rigorous coverage of pedagogy, assessment methods, classroom management, and adjacent topics. Programs focused on licensure may alternately concentrate on building subject-specific or specialist teaching expertise.

In both cases, master’s degrees typically cover about 30-36 credits. Some programs go higher, extending into the 48-60 credit range. If you study full time, you can usually complete your degree in about 18-24 months.

According to the NCES Data Lab, graduate students in education programs at schools offering fully online instruction paid an average of $5,187 in tuition and fees in 2020. However, tuition rates may vary significantly among institutions.

The courses you’ll encounter in your curriculum depend on the program’s objectives and underlying academic philosophy. Also, note that some master’s programs function as alternative routes to teacher certification for students with non-education bachelor’s degrees. These programs will feature student teaching components, which you’ll need to complete in person.

Despite these caveats, many master’s in education online programs cover similar subjects. Here’s a sample of commonly required courses:

This course, rooted in developmental psychology, focuses on education-related aspects of child and adolescent development. It explores cognitive, physical, and social developmental indicators through theory and applied research.

In secondary settings, educators draw on targeted classroom management strategies. This course introduces multiple strategic approaches and builds student proficiency with best practices for using them. It also examines positive behavior intervention techniques to prevent academic failure.

Learning and teaching processes are affected by external socioeconomic factors. This course builds awareness and sensitivity for these issues, examining their everyday effects on public school classrooms.

Coursework delves into techniques for assessing learning and knowledge retention in secondary students. In addition to relevant theories and common practices, this class also considers institutional policy and how it affects assessment standards and learning outcomes.

In this course, learners explore teaching methods for secondary students. Covered instructional strategies may include elaboration, interweaving, retrieval practice, spaced practice, and other evidence-based techniques.

Master’s degrees in education typically lead to master of arts (MA) or master of education (M.Ed.) designations. Both cover similar material, but M.Ed. programs tend to place more emphasis on technical teaching skills.

When you pursue a master’s in secondary education online, you can choose from generalist or specialized programs. Generalist tracks focus on versatile, broadly applicable skills. They may cover specialized topics but with a limited scope or through electives. Examples of these concentrations include:

ESL teachers specialize in helping English language-learners. They focus on teaching techniques for developing proficiency and building confidence with listening, speaking, reading, and writing the English language. In the United States, ESL teachers frequently work with immigrant populations.

The instructional design specialization focuses on innovative and creative ways to engage students in classroom learning. In the 21st century, the field has become increasingly centered on integrating digital and networked technologies into public school classrooms. You can use insights from this course beyond the classroom as a curriculum developer.

Special education concentrations train teachers to work with students with emotional, intellectual, physical, and/or learning disabilities. Some special education programs focus on particular degrees of disability, such as “mild to moderate” or “moderate to severe.” Special education programs may also focus on the unique needs of intellectually gifted students.

To qualify for graduation, you’ll need to satisfy the program’s credit and academic performance requirements. Some online master’s in secondary education degrees require learners to earn minimum passing grades, such as a C- or B-, in all required courses. Others may track your cumulative GPA in core coursework, which must remain at or above a specified level.

Programs may also include culminating experiences. Depending on your degree’s focus, these components could extend to one or more of the following:

In some states, you may also need to meet special training requirements covering sensitive topics like preventing school violence or standards for identifying and reporting suspected cases of child abuse.

Many people who do a master’s in secondary education online go on to work as classroom teachers. However, you’ll also have other career options after earning this degree. Their pay rates generally align with classroom teachers who have similar credentials.

As you’ll see below, many but not all adjacent related jobs involve frontline work with students. The following section includes several available career paths:

Key considerations for choosing a program include:

In addition, look closely at each program’s curriculum and graduation requirements. If you plan to seek a teaching license, be sure your degree includes face-to-face student teaching components, as required for state licensure.

Accreditation is also critically important. You must attend an accredited institution to ensure employers and other colleges will recognize your credentials. The U.S. Department of Education offers resources to help you research the accreditation status of schools you’re considering.

Some programs and departments hold specialized credentials for education degrees. These accreditations may signal elevated levels of academic rigor, quality, or excellence in a specific area.

Examples of these organizations include the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Students often pursue online master’s degrees in secondary education to boost their earning power. As this April 2023 NEA report indicates, public schools throughout the United States tend to offer teachers with master’s degrees higher salaries.

That extra earning power can come at a price, however. Higher education is expensive, and students often need help meeting their schooling costs. Consider these financial aid options:

Yes. If you plan to become a classroom teacher, you must pursue certification or licensure independently of your degree with the appropriate state-level agency. Master’s programs do not automatically lead to teacher certifications or licenses.

Master’s in secondary education programs with online delivery feature flexible schedules and often incorporate asynchronous learning. This makes it easier for people with busy lifestyles to accommodate their studies. A master’s degree can also increase your earning power.

Not necessarily — it depends on the school and program. Many universities offer post-bachelor’s education programs for learners with non-education degrees. These study paths are one of the major alternative paths to teaching licensure.

From a financial standpoint, educators with master’s degrees often generate strong returns on their investments through access to higher salaries. However, researchers are divided on the question of whether teachers with master’s degrees do a better job in the classroom. Some trustworthy sources say they do. Others say a master’s degree makes little identifiable difference in teacher effectiveness.

High-profile national professional organizations for teachers include the NEA and the Association of American Educators. These groups offer extensive professional development resources and excellent networking opportunities.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed March 25, 2024.