Online Master of Science Degree in Education

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Program at a Glance
  • Coursework contains job-embedded assignments that require you to teach a consistent group of learners.
  • Concentrations are available in educational leadership, teaching literacy and language, or teaching students with special needs.
  • National Board Certified Teachers may be eligible for transfer credit, which can save you time and money on your degree.
COURSE EFFORT 20–25 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 6-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 46–54
COST PER CREDIT $420
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

June 12
July 24
September 11
October 23

Master of Science in Education Overview

If you are already a P–12 teacher and want to enhance your knowledge and advance your career, Purdue Global offers a convenient, flexible solution for earning your master's degree in education online. This advanced teacher preparation program is designed for trained P–12 teachers with a consistent group of learners who want to improve their teaching skills, increase their professional marketability, and pursue career advancement in areas such as teacher leadership, professional development, or mentoring.*

See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Degree Concentrations

We offer three concentrations in the online master’s in education to help you achieve the academic competencies required in a specific area of teaching:

  • Teaching literacy and language: Develop skills for teaching basic reading and writing skills to elementary, middle, and high school students.
  • Teaching students with special needs: Examine best practices and methods for adapting curricula to accommodate children with special needs.
  • Educational leadership: Examine best practices for educational leadership in the areas of school finance and operations, curriculum development for school improvement, and supervision and staff development.
Note: At this time, residents of Kentucky may not enroll in this program.

NBCT Status Can Save You Time and Money

If you received National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) status through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) prior to enrollment, you may receive transfer credit that can be applied toward the following courses:

  • ED502: Transforming Teaching Practice
  • ED532: Curriculum Design
  • ED562: Student Assessment
In order to receive credit, you must request a letter of verification from NBPTS via their web form and attach the Articulation Partner Record Request Form (available from an Advisor) to the request. Verification from NBPTS must be received by Purdue Global’s Office of the Registrar by the end of the first term.
Admissions Requirements

To enroll in the online education master’s program, you must be current or former P–12 teacher and are expected, but not required, to hold a valid state teaching license. You should also have a consistent group of learners in order to apply theory to practice.


The Master of Science in Education does not lead to initial teacher certification or teaching endorsements. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Opportunities for Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, a self-paced course for graduate students that includes information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

Career Opportunities

The online MS in Education program is designed to help you improve your teaching skills and increase your professional marketability. Graduates may pursue career advancement in areas such as†:

  • Teacher leadership
  • Professional development
  • Curriculum development
  • Mentoring

Note: you should contact your school district to ensure that a Purdue Global Master of Science in Education degree will satisfy specific state or district requirements for an increase in pay, renewal of a current license, or recertification of an expired license.

Program Outcomes to Support Your Teaching Career

Designed to help you become proficient in five program competencies based upon national and professional standards for practicing teachers, coursework focuses on:

  • Applying action research and other assessment theories and strategies to evaluate and improve your teaching practice and enhance student performance in the classroom.
  • Exploring the reflective decision-maker model and developing competencies required for effective teaching, including various approaches to classroom management and discipline.
  • Designing curricula for K–12 education in accordance with local and national standards.

Academic Alliances to Expand Your Teaching Opportunities

The School of Education in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is pleased to announce a partnership with Promise Opens Doors, an organization that offers an online certificate program for educators interested in working abroad and helping others learn English.

LEARN MORE

Purdue Global Partnership With VIPKid

VIPKid connects educators with children in China for one-on-one English language learning, all online. Purdue Global students and graduates interested in online teaching can set their own schedule and teach from anywhere. Our alliance offers VIPKid teachers and their immediate family members tuition reductions on Purdue Global programs.‡ Speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Courses teach you how to most effectively promote student learning and development and school achievement, and allow you to demonstrate an understanding of the program’s four knowledge goals: diverse learners, academic content and pedagogy, assessment, and professional responsibilities and relationships.

Sample Courses
  • Transforming Teaching Practice
  • Action Research
  • Classroom Management
  • Curriculum Design
  • Educational Leadership
  • Student Assessment
See All Education Courses

Developing expertise in a particular subject is essential, especially for middle and high school teachers who must exhibit a high level of proficiency in the subject area they teach.

Focus on a concentration in educational leadership as part of the leadership track or choose from two concentrations in the standard track.

  • Teaching literacy and language
  • Teaching students with special needs
  • Educational leadership
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits34
  • Elective Credits12
  • Total Credits46
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits37
  • Elective Credits17
  • Total Credits54

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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current cost per credit
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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Education Faculty Directory
97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
218 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
Nearly 87,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2017–2018

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis and Center for Teaching and Learning. 2017–2018 academic year. Note: all figures include data prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

School Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our education programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*This program is not state approved for teacher certification or endorsements of any kind. Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet the requirements for any specific state or school system for pay increase or job advancement purposes, or licensure or certification. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.

†Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

‡Contact an Admissions Advisor for details. May not be combined with Purdue Global scholarships, grants, military tuition reductions, tuition vouchers, or other discounts or Tuition Cap or ExcelTrackTM pricing. Eligible family members include spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, and children.