It’s no secret that Massachusetts (MA) has one of the best education systems in the U.S. But despite its top-ranked status, MA is experiencing critical shortages of teachers and support staff. If you’re ready to step into the classroom or want to advance your career by taking on a leadership role, then getting an online Master of Education (MEd) in Massachusetts could be the right choice for you.
With so many schools offering online education master’s degrees, Massachusetts residents are at no shortage of choice when it comes to finding an excellent education graduate program. In this guide, you’ll read about the best schools, specialization options, and explore your post-grad job prospects.
Spotlight: Top Massachusetts Education Master’s Programs
No matter what you’d like to do with your education degree, there’s a graduate program for you. However, it can be challenging to find the right one. To help you understand what quality options look like, you’ll find three examples of standout online MEds in Massachusetts below.
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State University offers two entirely online education graduate degrees for students who want to grow or transition their careers in the field. First, there’s the 36-credit Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching, which helps students learn to apply educational theory and research to level-up teaching skills and boost student performance. Then there’s the 33-credit Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Management, ideal for those who want to prepare for administrative and leadership roles in education.
Whichever program you choose, you can earn an online Master of Education in Massachusetts in as little as 12 months thanks to Fitchburg State’s accelerated format. You must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school to be considered for admission, and no GRE testing is required.
Program Highlights
- Mode: Fully online
- Cost: $385 per credit
- Available Programs: 2
University of Massachusetts Lowell
You’ll find eight MEd options at UMass Lowell, all available on campus, online or in a hybrid format. Whether you want to kick off your teaching career with a master’s or advance into leadership, you can take your pick of either an MEd in Curriculum & Instruction, MEd in Education Administration, or MEd in Language Arts & Literacy. If you need to get your initial teaching license in this program, that’s available to you, too.
Online classes that are asynchronous will feature discussions that are posted at the beginning of each week in Blackboard, an online learning management tool. HyFlex is the school’s hybrid option, with synchronous courses that can be attended in person by students who are on campus or via Zoom for distance learning.
Program Highlights
- Mode: Fully online, hybrid, on campus
- Cost: $470/credit
- Available Programs: 8
Boston University
Boston University offers students multiple options for earning an online education master’s in Massachusetts. The MEd in Curriculum and Teaching has seven subject-specific tracks, including English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. If you’ve got your eye on a leadership role in post-secondary education, the MEd in Higher Education Administration will help you prepare for roles in financial aid, student life, admissions, and more. You’ll also find a less common option — the MEd in Equity & Social Justice — if you want to specialize your skills in this in-demand niche. In this degree offering, you’ll take 22 core credits online, with 12 elective credits that can be completed either online or in person.
Multiple start dates throughout the year provide the flexibility to get started on your degree when convenient. While courses are offered asynchronously, you’ll have many interactive learning experiences. Students also receive hands-on support from faculty and student services.
Program Highlights
- Mode: Fully online
- Cost: $997/credit
- Available Programs: 9
Popular Education Specializations in MA
Getting an online Master of Education in Massachusetts isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair. In fact, you’ll have your choice of several types of education degrees — including the standard MEd, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and others. Be sure to research your options to ensure you make the best choice for your career goals. In addition to the degree type, you’ll also find many different specializations available to you. Here are some of the most popular MEd concentrations in MA.
Elementary Education
Even though it’s possible to teach elementary education with a bachelor’s degree, getting an MEd in Elementary Education can be best if you’re transitioning to the classroom from another field or if you want to take on advanced teaching roles. In this specialization, you’ll learn about child development, instructional strategies, and curriculum design for children in grades K-6.
Curriculum & Instruction
In a Curriculum & Instruction concentration, you’ll learn how to write, plan, and choose teaching strategies and materials that encourage student engagement and learning. You’ll also gain the tools to evaluate curricula, analyze educational standards, and assess student results. Graduates can become curriculum specialists, instructional coordinators, or educational consultants.
Educational Administration
Working teachers who want to take on leadership or management roles may consider a master’s program in educational administration. In this concentration, you’ll study topics like school law, budgeting, and staff development to prepare for roles as a principal, administrator, or leader in improving educational systems and student success.
Math Education
An MEd in Math Education will provide you with expertise in teaching mathematics. Courses include advanced mathematical topics, instructional skills, and curriculum development. This specialization is ideal if you want to become an advanced teacher or to teach mathematics at the secondary school level.
Special Education
Special education master’s degrees are best for educators who want to transition into working with diverse learners or students with disabilities. You’ll learn how to adapt instruction and develop individualized education plans (IEPs) to meet your students’ needs. After you graduate, you’ll be qualified to work as a special education teacher or consultant.
In-Demand Education Careers
While any career in education is sure to be a rewarding endeavor, some are more in demand than others. Before you make your final decision on which MEd or MAT to pursue, it’s wise to explore the job market potential of your choice. Review the table below for the top careers in education, along with their average earnings.
| Career | MA 10th Percentile Pay | MA Median Pay | MA 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinators | $51,590 | $83,740 | $125,310 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $65,040 | $104,270 | $213,310 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $48,760 | $76,880 | $110,180 |
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators are in charge of overseeing curriculum and teaching standards within individual schools or school systems. They develop and choose educational materials, work with teachers to implement them, and assess their effectiveness in the classroom. While instructional coordinators can work broadly, they can also specialize in one grade level or subject. This is a great choice if you have strong leadership and analytical skills and don’t mind being responsible for decision-making.
Postsecondary Education Administrators
Postsecondary education administrators work with students as registrars, academic advisors, and student service leaders at colleges and universities. Depending on school size, their duties can vary. Those who work at smaller institutions often have a broader scope of duty than those who work at larger universities. Educational administration is a strong choice if you have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
School and Career Counselors and Advisors
School and career counselors and advisors help students build academic and social skills and make post-graduation plans. They support student education and future careers by addressing behavioral concerns, exploring potential paths, and making educational plans to get students to their goals. Their duties may include evaluating students’ abilities and interests, teaching students and staff about topics like bullying or drug use, and maintaining student records. The exact duties will vary based on the grade level a counselor serves.
How to Become a Massachusetts Educator
Step 1: Choose a Specialization
Before you choose a program, you need to consider your unique career goals. Do you want to become an elementary teacher? A high school math teacher? An adult educator? Consider what you’d like to do, then choose an appropriate program supporting that end goal. For example, if you want to teach third grade, a degree in elementary education would be appropriate. Or if you’d rather help students with diverse learning needs, choose a degree in special education.
Step 2: Earn Your Online Master's Degree
Once you’ve chosen a specialization, it’s time to get your online Master of Education in Massachusetts. Consider all the schools offering specializations that will prepare you to become a teacher in your chosen field. In your program, you’ll gain the skills you need to teach, develop an appropriate curriculum, and manage a classroom. If you’ll be teaching a specific subject, like math or chemistry, you’ll also learn advanced skills in your subject area to bolster your expertise.
Step 3: Gain Student Teaching Experience
In Massachusetts, you must complete between 150 and 300 hours of student teaching at an approved school. During this time, you’ll work with a supervising teacher mentor to gain experience teaching students, planning lessons, grading papers, and managing a classroom. Your master’s program may also offer specific student-teaching opportunities in the form of a graduate assistantship or help you connect with a partner school where you can gain the required experience.
Step 4: Pass Your State Exams
In MA, a crucial step toward certification is taking the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) to verify your knowledge and qualify you to teach. Every teacher in the state must take at least two MTEL exams: one for each grade level and subject area they plan to teach and one for Communication and Literacy Skills. For example, if you want to teach middle school English, you’d take the English 5-12 and the Communication and Literacy Skills MTELs.
Step 5: Become Credentialed
Once you’ve graduated, completed student teaching, and passed all necessary exams, you’re ready to apply for your teaching license. You can apply for an initial license through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). This license is valid for five years and allows you to teach while you work toward a professional license. You can apply for your professional license (the highest level of licensure in MA) after three years of teaching and completing an approved professional licensure program or master’s degree program.
The Price of an Education Master’s in MA
Getting your online Master of Education in Massachusetts is a big financial decision — and it’s one that takes careful planning and consideration. Before committing to a program, you’ll want to have a solid understanding of how much your degree will cost and make a plan for how you’ll pay. After all, choosing an affordable program and getting the right scholarships could be the deciding factor in getting your master’s degree. Below, you’ll find estimated MEd costs at three MA colleges & universities, giving you a ballpark idea of what it may cost to earn your master’s degree.
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack College | MEd in Early Childhood Education | 36 | $21,600 |
| Worcester State University | MEd in Educational Leadership & Administration | 33 | $13,497 |
| Gordon College | Master of Education | 30-36 | $11,700 – $14,040 |
Financial Aid Options for Education Majors
Online MEd students have a wealth of financial aid options to help offset the cost of getting a degree, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, work-study programs, and graduate assistantships. For example, Merrimack College offers a tuition-free teacher education fellowship for students who agree to work in a partner school district for a full academic year. Individual schools may also fund programs for MEd students, so ask your advisor about opportunities that may be available. For example, UMass Lowell offers several grants, scholarships, and assistantships for educators in grad school.
FAQs from Online Education Master’s Students
Is an online education degree a worthwhile investment in Massachusetts?
Absolutely. An online Master of Education provides you with the same qualifications and credentials you’d get on campus, often at a lower cost per credit hour. An online degree also gives you the flexibility to work full time and keep up with family life while working toward your goals. Plus, you don’t have to worry about relocation costs. Considering Massachusetts has the second highest cost of living in the country, those savings may be necessary.
Are education master’s only for people who want to become teachers?
No. People who want to work in any capacity in the educational field can get their MEd — and it’s particularly beneficial for non-teaching professions. While an MAT or specialization in a specific subject can be helpful for people interested specifically in teaching, other MEd degrees can help boost professionals transitioning into the field or current educators interested in new roles in educational leadership, special education, or curriculum development. Those who are already teachers may consider an MEd if they want to gain additional expertise or a pay raise that comes with a master’s degree.
Does Massachusetts offer any regional programs for educators?
Yes, there are several regional programs for aspiring educators in MA. These programs are designed to encourage people to become educators to address the current teacher shortage in the state. The Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant provides financial assistance to paraprofessionals who want to get certified as teachers to serve in public schools. There’s also a $7,500 loan repayment grant available to educators who commit to working for four years in a designated underserved school district.
Can I legally work in Massachusetts if I am credentialed as an educator in another state?
Yes. If you hold a valid license from another state and have worked for three years, you qualify for a temporary license, which is valid for one year. However, if you have also completed a traditional educator program, an alternative preparation program, or an accredited educator preparation program outside of MA, you may qualify for an initial license through the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. Consult DESE for details.
Can I earn a graduate certificate in education?
Yes, you can get a graduate certificate in education in Massachusetts. These programs are ideal for current educators who want to gain a new skill or level-up their competency in their current skillset without investing the time to pursue a master’s degree. Certificate programs are usually 12-18 credit hours and may apply to master’s degree credit requirements. You can find online graduate certificate programs in education at many schools, including UMass Dartmouth and UMass Amherst.