Best Online Master’s in Secondary Education Programs
Online master’s in secondary education programs can prepare you for a slew of teaching and administrator positions. Here are the top online programs.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
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An online master’s in secondary education can give you the necessary skills and training to obtain a teaching license to pursue a variety of teaching and administrative roles in secondary education.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects over 67,000 openings for high school teachers each year, on average, between 2022 and 2032. The BLS also projects over 19,000 openings for instructional coordinators and over 20,000 openings for school principals each year, on average, during that time span.
Keep reading to learn what you need to know about earning this degree.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master’s in Secondary Education Programs
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,292
$18,846
88%
35%
$7,508
$26,688
78%
6,763
Public
Yes
$5,292
$18,846
Milledgeville, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,292
$18,846
88%
35%
$7,508
$26,688
78%
6,763
Public
Yes
McDaniel College
Westminster, MD4 yearCampus + Online
$9,468
$9,468
87%
54%
$46,336
$46,336
72%
3,053
Private
Yes
$9,468
$9,468
Westminster, MD4 yearCampus + Online
$9,468
$9,468
87%
54%
$46,336
$46,336
72%
3,053
Private
Yes
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD4 yearCampus + Online
$9,180
$9,180
82%
39%
$48,000
$48,000
80%
1,917
Private
Yes
$9,180
$9,180
Baltimore, MD4 yearCampus + Online
$9,180
$9,180
82%
39%
$48,000
$48,000
80%
1,917
Private
Yes
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC4 yearCampus + Online
$10,740
$18,390
86%
32%
$8,356
$30,857
86%
3,693
Public
Yes
$10,740
$18,390
Charleston, SC4 yearCampus + Online
$10,740
$18,390
86%
32%
$8,356
$30,857
86%
3,693
Public
Yes
Drake University
Des Moines, IA4 yearCampus + Online
$11,738
$11,738
69%
44%
$45,734
$45,734
84%
4,875
Private
Yes
$11,738
$11,738
Des Moines, IA4 yearCampus + Online
$11,738
$11,738
69%
44%
$45,734
$45,734
84%
4,875
Private
Yes
New York University
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$35,982
$35,982
13%
45%
$53,770
$53,770
94%
58,226
Private
Yes
$35,982
$35,982
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$35,982
$35,982
13%
45%
$53,770
$53,770
94%
58,226
Private
Yes
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online
$10,780
$30,250
79%
40%
$10,780
$30,250
89%
38,316
Public
Yes
$10,780
$30,250
Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online
$10,780
$30,250
79%
40%
$10,780
$30,250
89%
38,316
Public
Yes
University of Maine
Orono, ME4 yearCampus + Online
$9,738
$29,214
96%
66%
$11,640
$33,240
76%
12,657
Public
Yes
$9,738
$29,214
Orono, ME4 yearCampus + Online
$9,738
$29,214
96%
66%
$11,640
$33,240
76%
12,657
Public
Yes
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN4 yearCampus + Online
$12,418
$12,418
99%
70%
$32,230
$32,230
74%
2,196
Private
Yes
$12,418
$12,418
Fort Wayne, IN4 yearCampus + Online
$12,418
$12,418
99%
70%
$32,230
$32,230
74%
2,196
Private
Yes
Ball State University
Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online
$9,482
$25,938
68%
60%
$9,628
$26,862
73%
20,319
Public
Yes
$9,482
$25,938
Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online
$9,482
$25,938
68%
60%
$9,628
$26,862
73%
20,319
Public
Yes
What Can You Expect From an Online Master’s in Secondary Education?
Traditionally, a master’s in secondary education consists of 30-45 credits and will take you 1-2 years to finish. Coursework can include topics in pedagogy, curriculum-building, educational research, and educational technology.
While many programs offer secondary education as a specialization within a broader education degree program, some schools allow you to focus exclusively on secondary education for your entire degree.
Some schools also offer the option to add a concentration to your degree to prepare you for a specific career path. Concentration options include special education, international education, second language education, and curriculum and policy studies.
Though courses vary across programs, common classes included in an online master’s program in secondary education include:
- Educational Psychology
- Adolescent Learning and Development
- Teaching Diverse Classrooms
- Interdisciplinary Instruction
- Teaching Methods
Benefits of Earning Your Master’s in Secondary Education Online
There are several benefits to earning your degree online including increased flexibility and the ability to take classes from a variety of institutions, not just those closest to your location.
Other advantages of online degree programs include:
- Keeping up with existing commitments
- Taking advantage of employer incentives or partnerships
- Saving money by avoiding on-campus expenses like parking fees
- Pursuing a specific field of interest only available online
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Secondary Education?
A master’s in secondary education can unlock a variety of careers in teaching, administration, and leadership. While growth in these careers is dependent on local and state government funding, increased student enrollments could sustain the demand for these roles.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Career and Technical Education Teachers | $63,580 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,620 |
| High School Principal | $103,460 |
| High School Teacher | $65,220 |
| Special Education Teachers | $65,910 |
Frequently Asked Questions About an Online Master’s in Secondary Education
Yes, an online master’s in secondary education can be worth it if you want to pursue a career in education including teaching or administrative roles. You can also use a master’s degree in secondary education as a next step before you pursue a doctoral degree in a related field.
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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