Best One-Year Master’s in Education Programs
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2024Master’s in education programs prepare students for education-related careers, often at the K-12 levels. Enrolling in one could give you more credibility and competitiveness in the job market, as well as a higher salary.
Online master’s in education curriculums vary by school but overall have similar core courses, structures, and career paths for enrollees. This page outlines the admissions process, the best one-year master’s in education programs, and the career outlook for graduates.
Featured Online Master’s in Education Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Accelerated Master’s in Education Programs
California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$15,246
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled9,613
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
Heritage University
- Toppenish, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$18,360
- Out-of-state$18,360
- In-State$9,732
- Out-of-state$9,732
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled898
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
Augustana University
- Sioux Falls, SD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$34,934
- Out-of-state$34,934
- In-State$35,716
- Out-of-state$35,716
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled2,086
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Master’s in Education Degree Options
One-year master’s in education degrees may give you the option to specialize in certain educational areas. These specializations can be attached to education degrees or presented as separate master of arts programs.
- Early Childhood Education: Early childhood education promotes the development of young children. Enrollees in this specialized major will study cultural diversity, the design of childhood educational programs, and issues with these programs. Graduates with a master’s in early childhood education often design curriculums or work with children as teachers, directors, or advocates.
- Educational Administration: This major prepares you for administrative roles in the educational field. Course topics include moral and legal decisions, budgeting, and staff recruitment. Education administration students may be required to complete coursework, internship, field experiences, or a practicum.
- Elementary Education:Elementary education degrees prepare you to design effective teaching strategies and work with children. You’ll learn curriculum design, how children develop, and basic psychology. Graduates are well-suited to teaching roles in elementary or some middle schools.
- Higher Education: Higher education refers to postsecondary education, including colleges and universities. Graduates with a master’s in higher education often pursue roles in higher education institutions in roles related to academic advising, admissions, or international education. In this subject, you’ll learn about campus culture, leadership, and challenges in modern higher education. Programs aim to help students evaluate research, solutions, and theories in higher education.
- Special Education: Students earning a master’s degree with a focus on special education learn about intellectual, learning, and emotional disabilities. You’ll study current practices for supporting special needs students and related curriculum shortcomings. The program tries to support and develop enrollees’ communication and soft skills to better assist students. The curriculum covers legal policies, learning environments, and specialized teaching methods.
Career and Salary Outlook for Education
You can pursue roles ranging from teacher to corporate trainer. While graduates of master’s in education can pursue roles outside the immediate education field, you may be required to study further to qualify for these roles. Entry-level education positions do not always need internships but can be required by graduate programs.
| Education Career | Median Annual Wage (2023) |
|---|---|
| School Principal | $103,460 |
| Education Administrator | $102,610 |
| Career Counselor | $61,710 |
| High School Teacher | $65,220 |
| Librarian | $64,370 |
Frequently Asked Questions About a Master’s in Education Degree
A master’s in education can take 1-2 years, depending upon curriculum and graduation requirements. For example, programs that have fewer credit requirements and no thesis will be shorter than a similar program with an internship or thesis requirement. Students may also attend part-time programs, which will affect the length of the program.
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 May 2, 2024.
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