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What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in K-12 Education Program?

Students enrolling in an online master’s in K-12 education program can expect to receive the same quality instruction as they would while taking on-campus classes. Also, by eliminating the need to commute to campus, online programs provide students more time for work, family, and other responsibilities outside of school. When choosing an online master’s in K-12 education program, it’s essential to carefully review your options to find the best match for your personal and career goals.

Available concentrations

If you already know what you want to do within the field of K-12 education, look for a program that allows you to focus your studies on this specialty. Some of the most common concentration options for a master’s in K-12 education include:

  • Leadership and Administration: Prepares students to become leaders in public or private school settings, where they can manage faculty and oversee school operations.
  • Curriculum and Instruction: Students learn the skills and knowledge to apply and evaluate different methods for creating a practical, effective learning environment.
  • Special Education: Equips teachers to work with students with various disabilities. Within this concentration, master’s students typically choose which grade level they prefer, whether elementary, middle, or high school.
  • Single or Multiple Subject Teaching: Students can focus on a single subject, such as reading or math, or multiple disciplines, such as STEM.
  • English Language Learning: Students learn the theories and best practices for teaching English as a second language to culturally diverse learners.
  • Educational/Instructional Technology: Explores different technologies and tools used to enhance learning behaviors and improve outcomes in the classroom.

Common degree curriculum

Even online master’s programs in K-12 education typically require supervised practicum hours, which can usually be completed at a school that’s geographically close to you. As for the coursework, you can expect five to six classes covering core pedagogical principles and two to four electives that allow you to focus on the topics that you find the most interesting. Some of the specific courses you may be able to take include:

  • Classroom Management: Master strategies and techniques for managing your classroom and how it operates.
  • Psychology and Development: Examine the psychological challenges that learners may face in the classroom, personality patterns, and social interactions.
  • Behavior Management: Equips teachers to identify and manage behavioral issues through positive reinforcement.
  • Foundations of Reading and Writing: Learn strategies for teaching children how to read and write.
  • Teaching Individuals with Disabilities: Provides an overview of special education law, requirements, and strategies for teaching students with disabilities in your classroom.
  • Classroom Assessment: Learn various methods for evaluating and improving the quality of teaching.

Certification and license preparation

Each state has its own licensure and certification requirements for K-12 education professionals. In general, you must prove that you’ve completed the required coursework by supplying the appropriate transcripts and taking any required state exams to obtain a teaching license.

Program accreditation

Only apply to institutions approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Otherwise, you may need help accessing financial aid or transferring credits to another institution if required. Accreditation is also essential for employment — many public or private schools require teachers to have earned their degrees from an appropriately accredited institution.

In addition to institutional accreditation, the best options for earning a master’s in K-12 education are programmatic accreditation from an industry group such as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Program completion timeframe

Online master’s in K-12 education programs generally require 36 credit hours of coursework, which takes most full-time students about two years to complete. Meanwhile, part-time students can expect to graduate in three to four years. If you plan to work while you earn your degree, you will likely only be able to attend school part-time.

Employment Outlook for Master’s in K-12 Education Graduates

While only a bachelor’s degree is required for most K-12 teaching jobs, it should be noted that these occupations are expected to grow relatively slowly over the next decade — that means there will likely be a lot of competition whenever open positions become available. Earning a master’s degree will help you stand out from other applicants and get hired more quickly.

Regarding pay, K-12 teachers make about $60,000 to $65,000 per year. There’s the potential to earn a much higher salary, though. You may even make six figures, as the top 10% of high school teachers earn more than $101,710.

You should adjust your salary expectations according to where you plan to work. Areas with a higher cost of living tend to offer higher pay. For example, middle school teachers earn an average salary of $93,380 in New York but just $48,170 in Mississippi.

Job Title Job Description Median Yearly Salary Projected Growth Rate (2022 – 2032)
Kindergarten/Elementary School Teacher Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work with children as young as five and as old as 12. They teach subjects such as reading, writing, math, science, and social studies and frequently incorporate art, music, and drama into their lessons. $61,620 1%
Middle School Teacher Middle school teachers typically educate students between sixth and eighth grades. In general, they help students build on the fundamentals learned in elementary school to prepare them for the subjects covered in high school. $61,810 1%
High School Teacher High school teachers prepare students for life after graduation and help them learn advanced writing, reading, math, science, and history skills. $62,360 1%
Special Education Teacher Special education teachers instruct students with physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. They may work with children of all ages from grades K-12. $62,950 0%

Professional organizations

Professional organizations offer valuable resources such as networking opportunities, educational materials, and career counseling. Here are three of the top organizations for those with a master’s in K-12 education:

  • National Education Association: One of the country’s largest professional organizations for educators, the NEA has over 3 million members in over 14,000 communities. It produces seven print and online publications and offers members-only discounts.
  • Association of American Educators: The AAE is a nonprofit organization that represents members in all 50 states. It offers educators a wide range of benefits, including liability insurance, scholarships, and grants. Also, many AAE partner schools offer tuition discounts for members pursuing a master’s degree in education.
  • National Council on Teacher Quality: This organization helps create policies to improve the quality of classroom education and the work environments of professional educators.

Financing Your Online Master’s in K-12 Education Degree

While online programs are more affordable than on-campus programs, many students still need help paying for their degree. The first step to accessing assistance is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will determine your eligibility for grants and loans offered by the federal government. Financing options may also be available through state-level agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies.

Student Finance Resources and Guides

As mentioned above, there are many different options that you can use to fund your online master’s in K-12 program. The resources listed below will help you sort through all this information, make sense of your financial aid situation, and save as much money as possible.

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Interested in a degree?

Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.