Most Affordable Online Master’s in Education Degrees for 2023

Morningstar College in Sioux City, Iowa provides 11 different fully online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs to meet a variety of academic needs and professional interests. Its MAT degree options include:

• Athletic Program Management
• Autism Education
• Curriculum Studies
• English as a Second Language Education
• Literacy Education
• Elementary Education Initial Licensure
• Middle Level Education
• Special Education
• STEM Education
• Talented and Gifted Education
• Teacher Leadership

Most programs require 33 credits that can be completed in as few as 12 months. All coursework takes place online through asynchronous classes to provide maximum flexibility for busy students. You can transfer up to three credits from a previous program. Admission requirements may vary slightly across programs but generally include an admissions application, valid teaching license/certificate, and official transcripts demonstrating a minimum 2.75 GPA.

Program Highlights:

Master of Arts in Teaching

• Credits: 33
• Length: 1 year
• Cost: $310/credit
• Format: Fully online
• Accreditation: HLC (school); NC-SARA (program)

Located in Kansas, Fort Hays State University provides several graduate-level teaching degrees to meet varied needs. Fully online options include an MS in School Psychology and an MSE with an Emphasis in Chemistry. The school psychology program requires one, five-day in-person workshop during a summer semester. Required classes include methods in school psychology, curriculum-based measurement, and advanced child psychopathology. The chemistry program consists of 36 credits and covers topics like utilization of technology in classrooms, instructional design and assessment, and chemistry education research and literature. Students must visit campus twice in the summer for week-long laboratory sessions.

Admission requirements differ somewhat between the programs, but general requirements include GRE scores, two recommendation letters, a personal statement, and a 3.0 or higher GPA. Within the chemistry program, students must also supply official transcripts showing they took required prerequisite classes.

Program Highlights:

MS in School Psychology and MSE with Emphasis in Chemistry

• Credits: 30-36
• Length: 12-18 months
• Cost: $298.55/credit
• Format: Partially online
• Accreditation: HLC (school)

Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt College provides an online Master of Education with specializations in curriculum and instruction or administration. Regardless of concentration, Dordt emphasizes a Christ-centered education available fully online. Both programs consist of 30 credits and take two years to complete. Within the curriculum and instruction specialization, students select from options in teacher leadership, special education, developmental reading, early childhood education, educational technology, or instructional coaching. Within the administration specialization, they choose from school leadership or sports leadership.

As one of the most affordable MEd programs in the country, Dordt College charges only $375 per credit regardless of where a student lives. Admission requirements include official transcripts, minimum 3.0 GPA, resume, recommendation form, and at least one year of teaching experience.

Program Highlights:

Master of Education

• Credits: 30
• Length: 2 years
• Cost: $375/credit
• Format: Fully online
• Accreditation: HLC (school); Iowa Department of Education (program)

Northwestern College offers a variety of options through its 100% online Master of Education programs. Focus your education by choosing from one of eight different tracks.

• Early Childhood
• Early Childhood + Endorsement
• Master Teacher
• Special Education
• Special Education + Endorsement
• Educational Administration + Endorsement
• Teacher Leadership
• Teaching History

Classes begin every eight weeks, making beginning a degree easy even with a busy schedule. Degree requirements range from 30-42 credits and take two years to complete. Courses last eight weeks each and are taught asynchronously, which means you can complete coursework whenever it works best for you.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a valid teaching license. Those applying for the M.Ed. in educational administration with a principal endorsement must possess at least one school year of teaching experience.

Program Highlights:

Master of Education

• Credits: 30-42
• Length: 2 years
• Cost: $340/credit
• Format: Fully online
• Accreditation: HLC (school)

Waldorf University’s 100% online Master of Education program allows you to focus either on instructional design and technology, leadership, or teaching and learning. Each program consists of 36 credits with core courses – including building professional and community relations, culture of continuous improvement in education, learning theories for instruction, and online learning and management systems – shared across all three degrees.

Students schedule classes around existing responsibilities, making it easy for those with busy school days to earn a graduate degree. Application requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Waldorf also allows the transfer of approved credits. To qualify for graduation, you must pass all classes with a “B” grade or higher and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Program Highlights:

Master of Education

• Credits: 36
• Length: 24-30 months
• Cost: $410/credit
• Format: Fully online
• Accreditation: HLC (school)