Master’s in Secondary Education Online

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Every student deserves a well-balanced program that boosts their career and provides them with the correct learning. When choosing from online master’s in secondary education degree programs, graduates should check for essential factors such as the total credit hours, institution ranking, course-affordability, scholarships, quality of faculty, student services, institution infrastructure, coursework, professional licensure, and certification.  OMC teams have researched hundreds of master’s degrees across the country and narrowed in on the best master’s in secondary education online for prospective students. Here is the list: 

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Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

The master’s in secondary education online degree helps students further their professional growth and leadership skills while attaining integrative knowledge simultaneously. The program is designed for bachelor’s students who want to qualify for state teaching certification while parallelly earning their master’s degree. Students can choose from different areas of certification like English, General Science, Mathematics, and so on. Upon completion of the program, they will qualify to teach at public and private schools. This program is 30 to 40 credit hours, depending on the institution, program format, concentration, coursework, and add-on courses. The program can be accessed on campus, online, and in a hybrid mode that blends both. Fieldwork experience is a crucial part of the online secondary education degree. With most colleges providing around 75 plus hours of field experience, students have the opportunity of being employed as teachers and can also complete their coursework and requirements of teaching simultaneously. Field placements, part of the curriculum, can be completed in school districts convenient for students. 

Master’s in Secondary Education Online Degree Types

Three types of degrees are available for students wanting to pursue an online secondary education master’s. They are Master of Arts or MA in secondary education online, Master of Science or MS in secondary education online, and Master of Education or M.Ed. in secondary education online.  

Students applying for graduate programs are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores while applying. However, at some institutions, applicants with degrees from other accredited universities would be considered without a qualifying GRE score if they have a minimum of 2.75 GPA in their previous coursework and have considerable work experience.  Here are examples of some schools offering master’s in secondary education online no GRE programs: 

• Clemson University College of Education – offers an online master of arts in a teaching program in secondary education, with no GRE 
• Mississippi State University – offers an online master’s of science in secondary education, no GRE. 
• Temple University – offers a Master of Education in secondary education, no GRE. 

Accelerated master’s programs help students complete their master’s coursework in less time than stipulated. They benefit students interested in earning initial licensure to teach in their respective states soon after graduating. Such programs are economical and help students complete coursework with no residency requirement; they can transfer credits and fast-track the program as well. Here are a couple of colleges offering accelerated master’s in secondary education online:  

1. San Diego State University – offers an accelerated online master’s in secondary education degree with 24 credit hours that can be finished in one year by completing capstone projects and oral and written exit exams.  
2. William Carey University – offers an accelerated online master’s in secondary education degree with 30 credit hours of coursework that can be finished in less than two years. 

There are no credible, free online master’s in secondary education programs available for graduates. However, a few free courses in the field of secondary education are available online, which could be used by students to build on their skills, knowledge, and expertise. These free courses are not accredited and cannot be used in place of accredited courses to get lucrative jobs. Nonetheless, they are useful to students who want to gain additional knowledge and better understand their field of interest. Here are a few free master’s in secondary education online courses:  

A master’s in secondary education degree online program cost depends on the institution, program, and specialization selected. The cost of the master’s degree could also vary depending on delivery format and enrollment status. Unverified sources peg the tuition fee for a secondary education master’s between $8,200 and $35,350 (or more), depending on the institution. To offset the high tuition fees, prospective students can consider the following sources of financial aid:  

Scholarships 

Students with good academic records can apply for scholarships in their relevant institutions. Several factors qualify a student to apply for a scholarship like community, socioeconomic background, and so on. Students are frequently given scholarships based on their academic performance by institutions, national organizations, or individual agencies.   

Grants  

Grants are funds provided by a public body, charitable foundations, or institutions making grants. They are offered for research and education in specific groups. Grants differ from scholarships in that they are not solely based on academic merit. An applicant’s financial need is usually considered while giving a grant.  

Graduate Assistantships 

Graduate assistantships are employment in the institution where one is studying. They are obtained based on academic merit and referrals or recommendations provided by faculty. Most assistantships are provided in the same department where one is studying. Such assistantships are essential to apply the knowledge learned by the student in practical situations, and being supervised by experienced faculty increases expertise in one’s academic specialty.  

FAFSA 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is a form completed by prospective and current students in the United States. It is filled to understand the eligibility for student financial aid and the possibility of receiving financial assistance from the United States Federal Government.

Students can learn more about college funding, Scholarship Scams, and additional information in the Financial Aid Guide.   

Scholarships are financial aid that could help students further their education. They could be awarded based on different criteria, such as academic merit, athletic skills, diversity, inclusion, and so on, depending on the donor. It is always advisable for Information about Graduate School Scholarships to be researched by students before applying. Here are some scholarships for master’s degrees in secondary education programs: 

STEM Teacher Scholarships 

The AFCEA educational foundation offers competitive scholarships for students pursuing graduate degrees or credentials or licensure for engineering, science, technology, teaching, or math (STEM) subjects at U.S. schools in grades K-12.  

Award/Amount

$2,500  

Application Deadline   

May 31, 2023 

Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award 

This scholarship is awarded to students who have completed at least 12 credit hours of a graduate degree in education. The student must have a graduate GPA of 3.75. They should have made unique contributions to their education discipline. 

Award/Amount 

$1,000  

Application Deadline 

April 1, annually 

Isabel M. Herson Scholarship 

This scholarship is awarded for full-time study for one academic year. The students should be enrolled in a degree program in either elementary or secondary education.   

Award/Amount

$500 to $1,000  

Application Deadline   

TBA   

Earning an online master’s in secondary education will give graduates a scope to work in secondary school settings. They can take up several other diverse roles in designing curricula, leadership, creating resources and instructional material, and so on for secondary school students. Graduates also have the option to work in public and private schools and educational institutions in administrative positions.  

Apart from teaching, there are other roles in secondary education where graduates can use their secondary education online master’s. Here are examples of some job roles: 

• Instructional Coordinator 
• Adult Literacy and High School Equivalent Diploma Teacher 
• Educational Policy developer 
• Curriculum Developer 
• Instructional Design Specialist 
• Education and Content Writer 
• Educational Consultant 
• Youth Program Director 
• School Operations Manager 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor of Statistics (BLS), secondary school teachers instructing high school students in a variety of subjects have an annual median salary of $61,820 with a job outlook of 8% between 2020 and 2030. This projection is as fast as the average for all occupations. Listed below are highlights of some statistical data by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on a few career options that graduates can consider after earning a secondary education online master’s: 

Certifications are designated credentials given to individuals to verify their competency and legitimacy to perform a job. Certification shows that the person, as a professional, is trained and educated to meet a specific set of criteria to perform the role of secondary education teacher. Professional certifications are earned through an educational institution or professional organization. However, licensure is required by law and obtained through a state agency.  

Most schools require teachers to obtain secondary education teacher licensure to teach grades 6 to 12. The online master in secondary education program often prepares students to complete state certification/licensure exams in their respective states.  Each state has its specific requirement or licensure requirements; here, the geographical location of the graduate and where they are placed for fieldwork is critical. Students should explore requirements and programs for teaching certification for better clarity.  

Another board-based certification for online master’s in secondary education graduates to consider, which is recognized in many states, is National Board Certification. It was designed to develop, recognize, and retain accomplished teachers and generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is one of the highest certifications a teacher can obtain. 

A master’s in secondary education online student could benefit from a diverse range of resources when they join different organizations. These institutions could offer some common features like career aid and certification programs. Students could benefit from teachers’ involvement in education leadership organizations, while accessing other resources could provide expertise, teaching methodologies, curriculum ideas, and development of different tactics for classroom administration. Here are a few resources to gain more insights: 

1. National Education Association – The National Education Association is the largest organization representing professional employees. It aims to promote and advance educators in different public education fields, from preschool to graduate programs. Association members can access discounted legal services, lesson plans, discussion forums, and other classroom activities. 
2. American Federation of Teachers – The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals focusing on democracy, economic opportunities, healthcare and public services for students, and high-quality public education. The organization focuses on community engagement through the work of its members.  
3. Association of Leadership Educators – The Association of Leadership Educators is a grassroots-level volunteer organization that is personal, inclusive, collaborative, and adaptable. As leadership educators, they focus on empirical knowledge and practical experience to promote educational initiatives supporting people, organizations, and communities. 
4. Association of International Education Administrators – The Association of International Education Administrators is exclusively dedicated to senior leaders in the field of international education. Members serve as leaders of higher education institutions and organizations that support international higher education.  
5. Association of American Educators – The Association of American Educators is one of the largest national professional educator organizations, advancing the profession by offering a modern outlook on teacher representations and advocacy of education. They focus on promoting professionalism, excellence, and collaboration in the field of education. 

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed on this page are those of Online Masters Colleges’ (OMC’s) researchers and teams. Unless specifically indicated, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the people, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s provided content is solely for informational purposes. OMC or its employees make no guarantees of the accuracy or completeness of any information on this page or found by following any link. OMC will not be held liable for any mistakes or omissions in this material, nor will it be held liable for any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the material on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, reader discretion is always advised because part or all the provided information may have changed over time, potentially leading to inaccuracies.