What Courses Will You Take in a Master’s in Education Program?

Juliann Scholl, Ph.D.
By
Updated on March 13, 2024
Edited by
Reviewed by
Our Integrity Network

BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.

Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:

  • Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
  • Provide specific, corrective feedback.
  • Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Learn more about our editorial process
Education master’s students gain in-depth knowledge about learning processes and leadership. Learn more about master’s in education courses.

  • Master’s in education courses prepare graduates for various roles in the field.
  • An education master’s typically includes a concentration, like special education.
  • Assessing your interests and skills can help you choose the specialty that suits you.

Getting an online master’s in education can be a worthwhile step in advancing your career. Master’s in education courses typically provide in-depth knowledge about learning processes, instructional strategies, the education system, and curriculum development. Electives offer students the opportunity to develop their expertise in more specialized areas, such as:

  • Adult education
  • Early childhood education
  • Educational assessment
  • Educational leadership
  • Educational technology
  • Elementary or secondary education
  • English language learning
  • Reading and literacy
  • School counseling
  • Special education

Consider applying to programs with courses that prepare you for licensure or certification.

Featured Online Master’s in Education Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

What Are Common Master’s in Education Courses?

Still not sure what path to take in the education realm? Don’t worry! Master’s in education programs design foundational classes, or core classes, to provide you with a broad basis of understanding.

Below are some of the most common core courses you’ll take during a master’s in education program.

Instructional Strategies and Models

The primary goal of this course is to teach you the basics behind instructional design. In this class, learners discover the best way to teach others and improve their teaching methods.

Whether you’re a specialist in a subject area or coaching colleagues, this course can help you become an expert in instructional design. This class also addresses instructional strategies, such as classroom management and student engagement.

Curriculum Development

Curriculum development teaches you how to form an effective curriculum, either for a district, a school, or a private sector setting. Doing so can help you meet the needs of the students you’re serving.

You may study high school course requirements for college admissions, how to select the right textbook to meet curriculum goals, or how to create a manageable student workload.

Teacher Leadership

The main focus of this course is identifying leadership concepts and applying them to education. In addition to learning about how the concepts work both in theory and in practice, you’ll study how to talk about leadership in terms of on-campus advocacy.

Eager to make a broader change in your community? This course will also teach you how to be an effective advocate in your district and within the educational community.

Research in Education

In this class, you’ll learn about quantitative and qualitative research. You’ll explore various trends and methodologies so you can determine which strategies best fit your students’ needs.

This course may also teach you how to effectively collect and analyze data around classroom dynamics, such as student learning habits and different teaching methods.

What Other Courses Can You Take for Your Master’s in Education?

Whether you know exactly what you love about education or are still figuring out your niche, master’s in education programs allow you to take subject-focused classes, known as specialized courses.

So what’s the purpose of a specialized course? These classes can help you to home in on one particular area in education. Unlike core courses, elective courses give you the opportunity to pursue specific interests.

Plus, many master’s in education students typically choose a concentration area to make them more marketable for educational roles.

For example, if you want to create lessons that inspire students, you might get a degree in curriculum and instruction with the aim of becoming a campus instructional coach. Or, if you specialize in educational psychology, you could become a school crisis counselor.

Either way, there’s a specialization out there that’s right for you.

What Specializations Can You Study in a Master’s in Education Program?

Choosing a specialization within your master’s in education program can help you concentrate on an area of education that you’re passionate about. Below are some common concentrations:

How to Choose a Specialization for Your Master’s in Education

So you’ve decided you want to get a specialization for your master’s in education, but you’re not sure which one. Now what?

One of the best ways to choose your area of specialization for your master’s in education is to assess your interests, skillset, and professional aspirations. You should also consider what field of education you want to make the biggest impact in.

Thinking through your learning objectives can help you identify potential careers. Knowing your end goal can help you select the best-suited specialization and provide you with a clear path to pursue it.

At the end of the day, you’ll know you’re making the right choice if you feel a meaningful connection to your work and studies.


Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 11, 2024.

Explore More College Resources

Going Back to College for a Teaching Degree

Going Back to College for a Teaching Degree

What degree does a teacher need? Keep reading to learn about the education you’ll need to enter the teaching profession.

Liz Simmons

by Liz Simmons

Updated January 30, 2024

7 Education Books All Future Teachers Should Read This Summer

7 Education Books All Future Teachers Should Read This Summer

Summer is a great time to get caught up on reading, especially for aspiring teachers. Explore one professor’s picks for must-read education books.

Samantha Fecich, Ph.D.

by Samantha Fecich, Ph.D.

Updated February 20, 2024

Most In-Demand Education Careers

Most In-Demand Education Careers

Discover the top 10 fastest-growing education careers and what they entail. From archivist to special education teacher, there’s a career for you.

Margaret Weinhold

by Margaret Weinhold

Updated May 28, 2024