Your Online Master of Education Degree at USD
Become a Teacher Who Makes an Even Greater Impact.
The University of San Diego’s innovative, online Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to enhance their teaching — with an emphasis on 21st century skills, equity and social justice, classroom inquiry and a professional response to the Common Core Standards.
Offered through our School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the online Master of Education program enables degree candidates to choose from among several distinct specialization options — so you can home in on your area of interest and earn your degree on your own time while engaging with top-quality instructors and experienced educators from across the country.
Who is the M.Ed. Degree For?
The online Master of Education program is designed for practicing K-12 teachers with a minimum of two years of teaching experience from a wide variety of classroom settings, including public district, charter, independent or non-traditional schools. This diversity of backgrounds allows students to leverage knowledge, experience and real-world applications from their peers to enrich learning throughout the program.
Admissions (Earn Your Degree in 20 Months)
Getting Started with Your Master of Education Degree Application
Students are admitted throughout the year for admission into one of three semesters (Spring, Summer and Fall). Each semester two courses are offered, with students focusing intensively on one course at a time – a total of seven weeks for each course. An academic calendar for the first year follows.
Admission application packets are accepted on a rolling basis. A decision will be recommended by the Review Committee within one week of your application being submitted. For details on specific requirements needed for admission, please visit our Admissions page.
Curriculum
The online education master’s degree program consists of five foundation courses including a capstone action research project as well as five specialization courses, for a total of ten courses equal to 30 credits. Full course descriptions can be viewed by clicking on your area of specialization below.
Core courses:
- Social Justice and Educational Equity (EDUC 520)
- Cognition and Learning (EDUC 521)
- Educational Research Methodology (EDUC 522)
- Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (EDUC 523)
- Capstone Seminar (EDUC 550)
To view additional courses by specialization, click on your area of interest below:
- STEAM Specialty Courses
- Inclusive Learning: Special Education and Universal Design Specialty Courses
- Literacy and Digital Learning Specialty Courses
- Curriculum and Instruction Specialty Courses
- School Leadership Specialty Courses
Program Goals
Building 21st Century Skills
You will learn new strategies to help your students critically analyze information, and to compose, create and collaborate using the latest digital technology.
Engaging in Classroom Inquiry
Our student-centered, teacher-guided approach to classroom inquiry encourages students to investigate real-life questions that connect to their own interests, thereby stimulating their problem-solving, critical-thinking and self-directed learning skills.
Promoting Educational Equity and Social Justice
Our online M.Ed. program encourages educators to examine issues of diversity, inequity and social justice to create collaborative, inclusive classroom experiences that actively engage all students from different backgrounds and with different abilities.
Earn your master’s in education and help make a difference in the classroom. Contact us today to learn more about our online M.Ed. program
Tuition
Graduates of the USD Master of Education program enjoy such career benefits as higher pay, success in earning promotions and increased job security, as well as instructional knowledge and insights and leadership skills that can be applied to their classroom teaching experience or service in educational leadership roles. Tuition rates are competitive with other leading institutions.
The cost for each USD master’s degree program varies by credit hour. The Master of Education program requires 30 total credit hours. Information on cost per credit for the program can be found on the Master of Education Admissions / Program Snapshot page.
Financial Aid
One of University of San Diego’s highest priorities is to ensure that sufficient tuition and financial aid support is available to all eligible Master of Education program students. The first step in applying for aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The University of San Diego provides assistance in securing additional financial support for students to further their education, including scholarships and grants.
Learn More About Financial Aid at USD
Scholarships & Grants
In addition to financial aid, the University of San Diego and other organizations offer scholarships and grants for aspiring USD students looking to earn their master’s degree in education.
For information about Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants and a partial list of additional scholarship and grant opportunities, visit our Scholarships & Grants page.
Transfer Credits
Students admitted to the Master of Education program can petition for transfer credits/units of graduate coursework, up to six credits, taken within the last five years, from a previously attended regionally accredited institution. Eligibility of transfer credit will be determined by the Academic Coordinator. It is recommended that students petition prior to their first semester in order to plan their academic program accurately.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important quality indicator for college and university degree programs, generally regarded as a stamp of approval that ensures you will be able to apply for financial aid and transfer your credits if you decide to switch schools. Most state universities and private non-profit universities will have a regional accreditation, which is the most widely accepted and trusted in terms of transfer credit and eligibility for employer tuition assistance programs. The University of San Diego has earned both regional and national accreditations. These include:
The WASC Senior College and University Commission – WASC is a regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as certifying institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of programs, including student access to federal financial aid. Learn more about the importance of selecting a regionally accredited program.
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education – NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional school personnel.
Licensure or Certification
Currently, every state requires teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree at minimum; most states also require a combination of experience, licensures and continuing education hours. The M.Ed. degree does not in itself constitute a teaching license or administrative credential, however it is considered to be the ultimate qualification and resume builder for educators or prospective educators.
Specific licensure and certification requirements typically vary by state, with some states enjoying reciprocal agreements with others. Teach.org, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, lists licensure and education requirements for each state. Additionally, each state has a website listing its teaching requirements. Those in California can find qualifications at TeachCalifornia.org.
Career Options
Educators who understand the challenges and opportunities facing today’s students are in high demand. A Master of Education degree can open many doors and, depending on one’s specialization, a range of different career options. For example:
- Principal or administrator
- School or career counselor
- Educational consultant
- Special education teacher
- Curriculum developer/instruction specialist
- College/university professor
Why Choose the University of San Diego
- Top 40 nationally ranked university
- Immersive and unique career-building education
- Accomplished professional faculty with extensive education/teaching experience
- Strong networking opportunities with faculty/peers through online collaboration
- 100% online = flexibility for working professionals
- Complete your degree in 20 months
Why not get started today?
