Here are 10 top education schools where you can earn your Master of Education (M.Ed./Ed.M.) online. Every school of education on this list is an established, reputable, regionally accredited institution.
The online masters in education programs offered by these schools have been thoroughly researched by our editors and exhibit exceptional quality, high academic standards, and a good value. With any of the top education schools on this list you can be confident that you will receive the training and credentialing you need to enhance the lives of students and advance your career in education.
#1. Concordia University
Concordia University Portland is a private, Christian liberal arts university in Portland, OR. Originally established as a prep-school in 1905, Concordia began offering college classes in 1950 and split with the high school in 1977. The school is a member of the Concordia University System, an organization of ten colleges and universities across the United States founded by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
M.Ed. Program Details
Concordia University Portland offers an online Ed.M. with numerous specializations through its College of Education. Current online Ed.M. specializations at Concordia include Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Career & Technical Education, Environmental Education, eLearning/Technology Education, and more. All M.Ed. distance education classes at Concordia are taught by teachers and administrators working in the field, using the most current theory and easy-to-use online learning tools.
Accreditation
Concordia University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and is a member of the Concordia University System.
Additional Information
Click here for more information about admissions and online Masters in Education programs from Concordia University Portland’s College of Education.
#2. Northcentral University
Northcentral University is a private, doctoral research university based in Prescott Valley, AZ. Founded in 1996, Northcentral has been a pioneer in distance learning education, offering all of its programs completely online with no residency requirements. The school is known for its innovative faculty mentor model of online education.
M.Ed. Program Details
Northcentral University offers an M.Ed. distance education program through its School of Education. This online Master of Education program offers numerous specialization options, including Adult Learning, Athletic Coaching, Curriculum & Teaching, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Special Education, and more. All online MEd programs at Northcentral are 30 credit hours long and are designed to give teachers a broader understanding of current theory and practice in Education.
Accreditation
Northcentral University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Additional Information
Click here to request information from the Northcentral University School of Education.
#3. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private, Christian university in Phoenix Arizona. Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon is one of the largest Christian university’s enrolling approximately 40,000 students on-campus and online. It has a strong reputation as a Teachers College going back 60 years to its inception.
M.Ed. Program Details
Grand Canyon University offers a M.Ed. distance education degree through its College of Education. This online Masters in Education program offers several specializations, including Curriculum, Early Childhood, Administration, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education, among others. All online M.Ed. programs at GCU are taught by experts and practitioners in the field. Some specializations may require an internship component.
Accreditation
Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission.
Additional Information
Click here for more information about admissions and online Master of Education programs from Grand Canyon University’s College of Education.
#4. Liberty University Online
Liberty University is a private, Christian university in Lynchburg, VA. Founded in 1971, Liberty University has grown to become the largest Evangelical Christian university in the world, with over 12,000 residential students and 60,000+ students enrolled around the world through Liberty University Online. The Liberty University School of Education was recently awarded full accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
M.Ed. Program Details
Liberty University offers an online M.Ed. degree with multiple specializations through its NCATE-accredited School of Education. Liberty’s online M.Ed. program specializations currently include Program Specialist, Administration, School Counseling, and Teaching and Learning, with numerous sub-specialties within these tracks. All of the online Master of Education programs at Liberty University are designed to prepare teachers for effective leadership in public, as well as Christian and other private schools.
Accreditation
Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Liberty’s School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Additional Information
Click here for more information about admissions and online Masters in Education programs from Liberty University’s School of Education.
#5. Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit online university headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT. Founded 19 U.S. Governors in 1997 in an effort to expand higher education opportunities within their respective states, WGU has grown into a full-fledged national university recognized for it’s innovative competency-based curriculum and affordability.
M.Ed. Program Details
Western Governor’s University offers online Ed.M. degrees in Instructional Design and Learning and Technology through it’s NCATE-accredited Teacher’s College. The Ed.M. in Instructional Design prepares teachers become instructional design experts with the ability to use technology for instructional purposes and focus on larger curricular or year-long development plans. The Ed.M. in Learning and Technology prepares teachers to become experts in instruction and technology with the ability to incorporate new technologies and instructional design principals into their teaching.
Accreditation
Western Governors University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The WGU Teacher’s College is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Additional Information
Click here for more information from the Western Governors University Teacher’s College.
#6. University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public research university in Pittsburgh, PA. Established in 1787, Pitt is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States, and one of the most celebrated and highly ranked public universities.
M.Ed. Program Details
The University of Pittsburgh offers an online M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning through its top-ranked School of Education. Using the same faculty and curriculum as the on-campus version of the program, the online M.Ed. program requires 36 credit hours of coursework to complete. Specializations are available in Elementary Education, English and Communications, and Mathematics Education.
Accreditation
The University of Pittsburgh is regionally accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Admissions Information
Click here for admissions and additional program information from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.
#7. University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a public research university in Cincinnati, OH. Established in 1819, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Ohio, and one of the largest in the United States. The school has received numerous national and international rankings and awards for its academics and research.
M.Ed. Program Details
The University of Cincinnati offers several online M.Ed. programs through its renowned College of Education. Online M.Ed. students can choose from several majors, including Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Special Education, Reading Specialist, STEM, TESOL, Teacher Leadership, and more. All of the school’s Ed.M. programs are designed to prepare teachers to understand educational research and utilize it to improve the effectiveness of their teaching practice and create the optimal teaching environments for all their students.
Accreditation
The University of Cincinnati is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Admissions Information
Click here for additional program and admissions information from the University of Cincinnati College of Education.
#8. University of West Alabama
The University of West Alabama (UWA) is a public university in Livingston, AL. Established in 1835, UWA began its life as a private teachers college and has maintained a reputation for strong teachers education as it has developed into the comprehensive regional university it is today.
M.Ed. Program Details
The University of West Alabama offers an online M.Ed. degree program with multiple specialization options through its College of Education. Available specializations currently include Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, School Counseling, Physical Education, Science Education, and Mathematics, among others. The online M.Ed. program at UWA requires 30-36 credit hours to complete depending on the area of specialization.
Accreditation
The UWA College of Education is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Additional Information
Click here for additional information about admissions and programs from the University of West Alabama College of Education.
#9. University of the Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is a private, Catholic university in San Antonio, TX. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1881, it is the largest Catholic university in the state of Texas and one of the highest ranked liberal arts schools in the region.
M.Ed. Program Details
The University of the Incarnate Word offers an Ed.M. degree online in Teacher Leadership through its Dreeben School of Education. This online Masters in Education program is designed for PK-12 teachers who desire to remain in the classroom, while taking on leadership roles in their school and community. The program emphasizes the role of the “teacher as leader” and empowers experienced teachers to effect change and improve student learning. Teachers looking for an online Ed.M. program that will help them to advance their current work as teachers or assume master teacher roles as department heads, team leaders, curriculum leaders, instructional coaches or informal teacher leaders are the best fit for this program.
Accreditation
The University of the Incarnate Word is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Additional Information
Click here for more information about admissions and online Master of Education programs from UIW’s Dreeben School of Education.
#10. Benedictine University
Benedictine University is a private Catholic University in Chicago, IL. Established by the Benedictine Order in 1887, the university is open to students of all faiths. Benedictine has been recognized as one of the top Master’s level universities in the Midwest, with a reputation for small class sizes and a strong graduate job placement rate.
M.Ed. Program Details
Benedictine University offers an online M.Ed. degree program in Reading and Literacy through the School of Education at its College of Education and Health Services. This online Master of Education program helps certified teachers address society’s demand for greater literacy and instill the habit of lifelong reading in students. Among other things, teachers in this program will learn how to design an instructional curriculum that both develops and assesses the literacy of all students, including ESL.
Accreditation
Benedictine University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Additional Information
Click here for more information about admissions and online Masters in Education programs from Benedictine University’s School of Education.