Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to further your education and pursue a Master of Science in Education (MSEd.) degree. That means you’re convinced of the value of this advanced degree, and if you’re planning to enroll in an online program, you’ll be able to accomplish this while working.
The last remaining decision you have to make is which online program to enroll in. You may want to consider whether or not the college or university offering the program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), what the entrance requirements or prerequisites are, faculty profiles, and financial aid resources, among other considerations. One of the most important factors to consider is cost.
How Much Does an Online MSE Program Cost?
A quick search engine scan of schools offering online MSEd. programs shows tuition costs as high as $27,000 per year and more.
Northwest Missouri State University offers three MSEd. programs and they are all NCATE-accredited and recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. The number of credit hours is 30, and students can complete the coursework in as few as 12 months. Courses are taught by the same degreed faculty who teach the on-campus courses.
These three 30-hour programs each cost $9,750, and that figure includes all fees except for the $50 application fee, making Northwest’s online MSEd. program very affordable. The $325 tuition cost per credit hour is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
Students must complete 10 courses (30 credit hours) comprising 15 credit hours of core requirements and 15 credit hours of subject field requirements for the Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction programs. All courses are seven weeks long. The schedule is flexible, with multiple start dates and accelerated coursework.
Options for a Master of Science in Education from Northwest
1. Master of Science in Education in Curriculum & Instruction
This program is designed for “educators who want to increase their curriculum development skills and advance their careers in or outside of the classroom.” This program can open up new career opportunities such as instructional coordinator, education specialist, curriculum and assessment director, or corporate trainer. Some of the courses offered are Leading in the Digital Age, Trends and Issues in Curriculum and Instruction, and Culture and Student Engagement.
2. Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
The Educational Leadership program focuses on “leadership, communication, critical thinking, diversity, equity, inclusion and teamwork, with field experience embedded in courses and professional-based learning.” This program helps foster a holistic approach to leadership with courses such as Visionary School Leadership, Multicultural Education for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Data Literacy and Assessment for Schools.
3. Master of Science in Education in Special Education
This program is designed to prepare educators “to teach students with mild and moderate disabilities across a variety of school settings.” Students will study various technologies, applications and assessments to facilitate student learning. Courses include Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities, Student Evaluation and Assessment, and Theories and Techniques of Behavior Analysis & Intervention.
Learn more about Northwest Missouri State University’s online MSEd. programs.
