Top 10 Online Masters in Education Programs

To be included in this top 10 online Masters in Education programs list, a school must offer a good quality program. When adult learners are investing in themselves by pursuing an advanced degree, they owe it to themselves to seek out a program which will give them the education necessary for success.

#1 University of Southern California Rossier School of Education

Executive Summary

The Rossier program is one of the top-ranked education programs in the country, according to US News & World Report.

Tuition

Grad students at USC pay $21,081 for a 15-18 unit program.

Unique Features

The online degree program is the first one offered by a major research university. The curriculum is identical to the one offered on campus, and includes school-based fieldwork which students can complete from anywhere.

Concentrations

• Administration and Leadership
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Early Childhood Education
• Education and Teaching
• General Education
• Secondary Education

#2 National University

Executive Summary

National University is ranked as the best online college in the country by the Online Education Database.

Tuition

The cost to attend National University online is $360 per quarter unit. Students will pay $16,200 to complete a degree.

Unique Features

Students enroll in one course per month, which allows them to focus on that particular subject. Classes start every month and students can study year round.

Concentrations

• Educational and Instructional Technology
• Instructional Leadership
• Language Teaching and Learning
• Teaching

#3 Capella University

Executive Summary

Capella University made the list because of the quality of its curriculum. In response to an alumni survey, 98 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with their education experience.

Tuition

MS in Education students at Capella University pay $415 per credit hour ($19,920 for a 48-credit degree).

Unique Features

Capella offers students the flexibility to take courses at their own pace. They can log into their course materials at any time.

Concentrations

• Child and Adolescent Development
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Early Childhood Education
• English Language Learning and Teaching
• Enrollment Management
• General Studies in Human Behavior
• Instructional Design for Online Learning
• K-12 Studies in Education
• Leadership in Educational Administration
• Postsecondary and Adult Education
• Professional Studies in Education
• Reading and Literacy
• Special Education Teaching
• Training and Performance Improvement

#4 Brandman University

Executive Summary

Brandman University is affiliated with Chapman University, which is ranked as a Top School by America’s Best Colleges.

Tuition

Students attending Brandman online pay $570 per credit. The cost of tuition to obtain a degree is $17,100.

Unique Features

Sessions start throughout the year. The classes and all required coursework is completed online.

Concentrations

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Leadership
• Instructional Technology
• Leadership in Early Childhood Education
• Professional Learning Community
• Teaching and Learning

#5 Post University

Executive Summary

Post University has been ranked as one of the top online universities in the country by the Online Education Database.

Tuition

The cost to attend this University online is $500 per credit hour. The cost to complete a 33-credit hour degree is $16,500.

Unique Features

Students who choose to attend Post get the benefit of small class sizes. The format is flexible so that participants can log in to their courses at any time.

Concentrations

• Instructional Design and Technology
• Teaching and Learning

#6 Grand Canyon University

Executive Summary

Grand Canyon University is a regionally-accredited school. Its online degree programs are taught by a group of full-time professors to teach online programs exclusively.

Tuition

The cost of tuition for a 34-credit degree from Grand Canyon University is $16,830 ($495 per credit).

Unique Features

Students enrolled at Grand Canyon University take one course at a time. Each one is worth four credits, which means that students can complete a degree in less time.

Concentrations

• Curriculum and Instruction: Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education
• Curriculum and Instruction: Reading with an Emphasis in Secondary Education
• Curriculum and Instruction: Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Administration
• Educational Leadership
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education for Certified Special Educators
• Special Education: Cross-Categorical
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

#7 Kaplan University

Executive Summary

Kaplan holds a top 20 ranking as one of the best online universities in the country.

Tuition

Depending on the concentration, a student attending Kaplan will spend $17,710-$29-$20,790 in tuition.

Unique Features

New students can take a course five weeks without having to pay tuition. During this time, the student can interact with the professor and his or her classmates to decide whether this program is a good fit.

Concentrations

• MS in Education
• MA in Teaching
• Educational Psychology
• Higher Education
• Education in Industrial Technology

#8 University of Texas

Executive Summary

The University of Texas online program ranks very highly for student satisfaction and public perception, according to GetEducated.com.

Tuition

Tuition for this program is $810 per three-hour course for residents and $1,750 per course for non-residents. A Texas resident would pay $9.720 for a degree and an out-of-state student would be charged $21,000 in tuition.

Unique Features

Students can choose to take 12 elective credit hours in a specific subject, such as reading, math, science or educational technology. The school suggests that participants plan to spend about 10 hours per week on their studies.

Concentrations

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Technology
• Instructional Specialist – Bilingual Education or Early Childhood Education

#9 Strayer University

Executive Summary

Strayer University is a very well-respected school which is known for its high quality programs. Professors at the University have real-world experience in their field, and the curriculum is updated regularly to reflect the needs of employers.

Tuition

Tuition and fees to attend Strayer University online are $26,715.

Unique Features

This program allows adult learners to study at their own pace. Most students complete their degree in 4.5 years.

Concentrations

• Adult Education and Development
• Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
• Instructional Technology
• Teacher Leadership

#10 Concordia University

Executive Summary

Concordia is a well-respected, accredited university. Its Masters of Education program can be completed in one year or less.

Tuition

The cost to complete a 30-33 credit program at Concordia University online is $18,600-$20,460.

Unique Features

Online classes are five weeks long and students can access their learning materials from anywhere they can get online.

Concentrations

The University offers two general concentrations: Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction. Students who choose the latter can further specialize in the following areas of study:

• Adolescent Literacy
• Career and Technical Education
• eLearning/Technology Education
• English Language Development
• English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (K-Adult)
• Environmental Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Mathematics
• Methods and Curriculum
• Reading
• Science
• Teacher Leadership
• The Inclusive Classroom (SPED)