Master of Education (MEd)
Online
Complete your studies on your own time
Finish in 18 months
Average completion time
Next start date
every Monday
Year-round enrollment
Prepare for Higher Levels of Leadership in Education
Degree:
Master of Education (MEd)
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
NU offers two track options for students interested in pursuing their master’s in education and preparing for increased leadership responsibilities in K-12 or higher education.
National University’s online Master’s in Education degree program prepares you to become a leader in the field by giving you the knowledge required to effectively analyze and address educational issues. You’ll apply education leadership principles to real-world problems through professionally relevant case studies, all while gaining a wealth of experience from your mentoring professors.
Career Potential
Education professionals are in demand, and labor market analytics and economic data* show plenty of opportunities exist for those who choose to enter the field. Whether you want to teach or prefer to work in an administrative role, earning your PhD can help you further impact the industry.
Positions
- Research scientist
- Research associate
- Education program consultant
- Education consultant
- Teacher
- Dean of Students
- Community college instructors, lecturers, and adjunct faculty
- College/university-level administrator
- Instructional coordinator
- Department chair
- Program director
- Director of curriculum
Work Settings
- Colleges and universities
- State departments of education
- Education service providers and curriculum publishers (e.g., Pearson)
- School districts and county offices of education
- K-12 public, private, and charter schools
- Private research institutes dedicated to educational or social policies
*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond completing this degree program. Many roles may require state licensure, and it’s the student’s responsibility to ensure that all licensure requirements are met.
Program at a Glance
- Total Credit Hours: 30-36 Credit Hours
- Courses: 10-12 Courses*
- Recommended Completion Time: 18 Months
- Next Start Date: Every Monday
- Classroom Size: One
*This program is fully accredited by AAQEP through December 31, 2028.
Course Sequence
10 Courses
Scholarly Writing and Using Research
3.0 Credit Hours
Two key measures of proficiency for any professional are information literacy and written communication. You will focus on these competencies in this course, which blends your need to identify and use credible research with your development as a scholarly writer. With applied activities in areas of interest to you, this course will establish the foundation of your success in the remainder of your graduate work.
Technology and a Vision for the Future – MEd
3.0 Credit Hours
In this course, you will explore the application of both existing and emerging technologies to the learning needs of educational organizations. As you grow as a leader, you will need to plan for technology integration through the evaluation, selection, funding, and adoption of specific hardware and software that meet your organization’s needs. This course will help you to tackle these challenges and more.
Elective Course 1
Elective Course 2
Elective Course 3
Elective Course 4
Elective Course 5
Elective Course 6
MEd Capstone
3.0 Credit Hours
This course represents the culmination of your master’s degree. In this course, you will synthesize the knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed throughout your program into a proposal that addresses an identified need in an organization related to your specialization. Within your selected organization, you will identify, examine, and justify a specific need or problem. Using your recently developed competencies, you will propose a practical, comprehensive solution to mitigate the need or problem.
*May be substituted with a course from the student’s specialization with Dean approval.
The elective courses can be satisfied with any master’s level, Individual-based, Sanford College of Education course.
Select 6 courses from the following:
- AC-5000 – Leadership in Coaching Today’s Athlete
- AC-5002 – Legal Aspects in Coaching
- AC-5006 – Sport Nutrition
- AC-5008 – Coaching Psychology
- AC-5010 – Performance Enhancement in Sport
- AC-5012 – Coaching Fundamentals of Speed Development
- AC-5014 – Coaching Theory, Methods, and Issues
- ECE-5000 – Foundations of Early Childhood Education
- ECE-5002 – Growth and Development of Young Children
- ECE-5003 – Administration of Early Childhood Programs
- ECE-5005 – Children and Families in a Diverse Society
- ECE-5007 – Children’s Literature
- ECE-5009 – Early Childhood Education Capstone
- ED-5008 – Teaching Diverse Students
- ED-5012 – Leadership in Educational Organizations
- ED-5013 – School Finance
- ED-5016 – Instructional Supervision and Leadership
- ED-5023 – Multicultural Relationships in Educational Organizations
- ED-5029 – Measurement and Assessment in Education
- ED-5204 – Ethics in Sport
- EDL-5004 – School Law
- ESL-5001 – Foundations of Instruction for Non-English Language Background Students
- ESL-5003 – Assessment of Linguistically Diverse Students
- ESL-5005 – English Language Learning
- ESL-5006 – Instructional Methodologies for English Language Learning
- LCT-5000 – Curriculum and Instructional Strategies
- LCT-5001 – Principles of Teaching and Learning
- LCT-5002 – Instructional Leader as Creator of Learning Culture in Curriculum and Teaching
- LCT-5003 – Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Strategies and Principles
- LCT-5004 – The Classroom: Managing and Organizing for Student Achievement and Engagement
- LCT-5005 – Instructional Leader as Advocate and Decision Maker in Curriculum and Teaching
- SE-5001 – Assessment in Special Education
- SE-5002 – Instructing Students with Specific Learning Disabilities
- SE-5003 – Instructing Students with Emotional and/or Behavioral Disorders
- SE-5004 – Instructing Students with Intellectual Disabilities
- SE-5005 – Special Education Law
- SE-5010 – Introduction to Students with Disabilities
- SEM-5100 – Fundamentals of School Safety, Security, & Emergency Management
- SEM-5200 – School Safety and Security Technologies
- SEM-5300 – Threat Assessment Fundamentals
- SEM-5400 – School Safety Plans for Practitioners
- SEM-5500 – Restorative Justice and Other Alternatives to Student Discipline
- SEM-5600 – Capstone for School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
- SM-5000 – Leadership and Administration of Athletic Programs
- SM-5002 – Legal Aspects in Athletics
- SM-5006 – Sports Governance and Policy Development
- SM-5010 – Marketing in Athletics
- SM-5012 – Issues in Athletic Administration
- TRA-5100 – Fundamentals of a Trauma-Informed Approach to Education
- TRA-5200 – Trauma Across Educational Populations and Settings
- TRA-5300 – Trauma-Informed Strategies for Educational Environments
- TRA-5400 – Strengthening Resilience Among Learners and Educational Professionals
- TRA-5500 – Trauma and Support Systems in Educational Environments
- TRA-5600 – Capstone in Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
Career Outlook
Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
Here are some careers this degree could prepare you for:
Please select the state you will work in to view job data in your area
- Top Jobs in this field
- Median Salary
- Job Openings
- Postsecondary Education Administrators
-
$124,401
avg. salary (USA) -
1,599
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Student Services
- Marketing
- Fundraising
- Enrollment Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Project Management
- Higher Education
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- California State University-Chancellors Office
- University of California
- University of California-Berkeley
- City Year
- Stanford University
- HERC Jobs
- Success Education Colleges
- Instructional Coordinators
-
$96,847
avg. salary (USA) -
2,604
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Instructional Design
- Curriculum Development
- Learning Management Systems
- Adult Education
- Project Management
- Special Education
- Educational Technologies
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- University of California
- Professional Development School Trainers
- Spectrum Center Schools And Programs
- Aleut Federal
- University of California-Davis
- Pearson Education
- Savvas Learning
- Education Administrators for Elementary and Secondary Schools
-
$158,652
avg. salary (USA) -
2,754
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Student Services
- Student Information Systems
- Academic Advising
- Office Equipment
- Data Analysis
- Support Services
- Special Education
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- California State University-Chancellors Office
- University of California
- Aspire Public Schools
- Coast Community College District Office
- Kern Community College District
- San Diego Unified School District
- California State University-San Bernardino
- Training and Development Managers
-
$155,098
avg. salary (USA) -
629
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Learning Management Systems
- Project Management
- Instructional Design
- Continuous Improvement Process
- Curriculum Development
- Organizational Development
- Adult Learning Principles
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- Clarity Consultants
- Adventist Health
- Easter Seals Southern California
- Colonial Life
- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Llp
- Kern Community College District
- Amgen
- Education Administrators for Preschool and Childcare Programs
-
$64,370
avg. salary (USA) -
916
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Preschool Education
- Child Development
- Early Childhood Education
- Regulatory Compliance
- Performance Review
- Nursing
- Operations Management
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- KinderCare Education
- Vituity
- Mathnasium
- Learning Care Group
- La Petite Academy
- Childtime Learning Centers
- Satellite Healthcare
Admissions
Next start date: Every Monday
Year-round enrollment
Transfer Students Welcome
Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.
To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.
Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.
To speak with our admissions team, call (855) 355-6288 or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply start your application today.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.
Accreditations
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Why National University?
We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.
Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 255,000 alumni worldwide.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
Francisco R.,
Class of 2016
What makes a degree
with National University unique?
Free Tutoring Sessions
Access personalized tutoring sessions at no cost — empowering your learning.
Online
Flexibility meets quality education with our online learning option.
24/7 Support
Get assistance anytime, anywhere with our round-the-clock support services.
Military Friendly
Committed to serving those who serve — diverse resources and support for veterans and family. Military and Veteran Admissions.
Mentoring Network
Individual student and alumni career guidance, professional development opportunities, and customized career support.
Transfer Students Welcome
NU makes it easy to get your degree, even if you started it with another university. Learn more about transferring to NU.
Accelerate Your Career With NU
At National University, you’re part of a family. As a student, you’ll have the support of staff, faculty members, students, and alumni who will be there with you every step of the way, cheering you on as you pursue your goals.
Our network of 255,000 alumni is a large global community that provides our graduates with the professional connections to get a leg up in your new career.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. National University’s MEd program does not require a teaching license or certification to apply. Many students have teaching or school-based experience, but it isn’t required. Keep in mind that this degree alone doesn’t lead to state licensure. Requirements vary by state.
Yes. The program is fully online and built for working professionals. You can start any Monday and move through a structured schedule. Most students finish this master’s degree in about 18 months. Transfer credits can shorten that.
This MEd allows you to shape the degree around your goals and areas of interest. Six electives let you build a focus area, such as early childhood education, coaching and athletic leadership, trauma-informed education, school safety, or educational leadership. Special education, ESL, and curriculum and instruction have enough courses to add variety. The core courses cover scholarly writing, research, and technology leadership. A capstone project ties it all together.
An MBA covers general business management. This MEd focuses on leadership in education.
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.
Kentucky Disclosure
Please be advised that this program is NOT accredited in Kentucky by the Education Professional Standards Board and is NOT recognized for initial, additional, or renewal of certification or salary enhancement (rank change) for P-12 educators in Kentucky. For more information, please visit the Education Professional Standards Board’s website.
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