Whether you’ve been planning to become a teacher in Washington or you’re a current educator considering advancing your career, you should consider getting your online Master of Education in Washington State. Now may be the perfect time, as this field is increasing in demand — while the number of elementary teacher job openings is shrinking nationwide, it’s expected to grow by 16% by 2030 in Washington.
Further, starting pay in the state is equal to the median pay for teachers nationwide. While there are many factors to consider when you choose your ideal grad program, have a look at some of the online education master’s Washington has to offer.
Comparing Washington’s Top Education Master’s Programs Online
Choosing your online Masters of Education program in Washington is no small feat. While each student’s needs are different, you’ll want to find a program that balances coursework, classroom experience, and opportunities to specialize in a way that suits your needs. With this in mind, here are a few strong online MEd programs to help you get started.
Eastern Washington University
A public institution, Eastern Washington University offers a variety of online Master of Education (MEd) programs with specializations for future educators and educational leaders. If you choose to apply, you can select from specializations in English Language Learner Education, Health and Physical Education, Library Media, Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, and more.
At Eastern Washington, your online Med program will be taught at an accelerated pace, with most options taking only one year to complete. Application requirements may be somewhat tailored by specialization, and your personal statement should reflect the field you want to specialize in, but you should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to apply.
University of Washington
The flagship public institution in the state, the University of Washington, offers an MIT or MEd in either fully online or hybrid form. Whichever you choose, UW will deliver a mixture of coursework and firsthand experiential learning, including, potentially, a capstone project to complete your degree.
The MIT and MEd programs at UW generally take two years of full-time study – longer if you choose to study part-time. You should have an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, a current resume, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation when you apply.
City University of Seattle
City University of Seattle, a private polytechnic university founded in the 1970s, has a hybrid MIT program that allows you to choose up to two endorsement areas, with options including Elementary Education, Special Education, Reading, and more. The program is completed partly at their Renton campus and partly online and allows you to earn a Washington State Residency Teaching Certificate along with your master’s.
Depending on what your endorsements are, the program can be completed in 54 to 75 credits, and the time to completion will vary. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution.
Popular Education Specializations
Education is a far-ranging field, and there are many different specialties within it. Many schools offering online Master’s in Education in Washington will let you choose a specialty within your degree. Take a look at some popular specialties to consider when choosing your program:
Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and instruction is a specialization geared toward MEd candidates who want to study educational methods and design curriculums for classes, districts, and beyond. A master’s program in curriculum and instruction will focus on theory and is likely to include at least some original research.
Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education, or ECE, is focused on working with children from birth to about age eight. Many online master’s programs in ECE will combine online coursework with a set number of hours of in-person work at a school – typically a daycare or preschool – as a supervised instructor or teaching assistant.
Elementary Education
If you want to work with students in kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade, you’ll want to look into a master’s in elementary education. As with many other online MEd programs, you will likely need to complete supervised classroom training at various elementary grade levels alongside your online classwork. Depending on your background, you may also have to go through student teaching.
Instructional Design
Instructional designers create lesson plans and physical and digital learning materials using current educational theories and standards. Their goal is to ensure teachers can best provide instruction to their specific students in their particular types of classrooms.
Special Education
Special education is an important and highly specialized form of teaching geared around working with students who have particular needs and/or require certain accommodations. As a very sensitive field, many states require extra education and certification for special education teachers, often including a master’s degree.
Popular Education Careers
After you complete your online Master’s in Education in Washington, you may have plenty of career options depending on what you studied. Here are a few popular education careers:
| Career | WA 10th Percentile Pay | WA Median Pay | WA 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,830 | $87,960 | $120,440 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $109,160 | $148,120 | $175,400 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $53,850 | $84,780 | $122,930 |
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary school teachers work with students from about ages five through twelve. As an elementary teacher, you will likely be instructing your class in a full range of subjects, including math, reading, natural sciences, and social studies. Many people in this career eventually consider taking on administrative roles or working in educational policy, though others spend their entire careers in the classroom.
K-12 Education Administrator
School administrators, who range from vice principals to superintendents, are the administrative heads of schools, programs, or districts. This job requires an understanding of the educational environments they oversee and the people who work there. It’s common for administrators to have some background as teachers, as well as further education and additional certifications. The higher you are up on this ladder, the more you’re likely to earn – but the farther away from the classroom you’ll become.
Instructional Coordinator
As an instructional coordinator, it will be your role to oversee and assess curriculum materials. This is a role for someone who is interested in the data and analysis side of education and is comfortable liaising with educators and policy and administrative professionals. This is also a role that may require you to analyze standardized test scores and other measures of curriculum success.
How to Become a Washington Educator
Step 1: Choose a Specialization
Whether you already have an education background or are looking for a career change, you should consider what you want to specialize in when you’re studying for your master’s. This can include education subfields like English as a second language, special education, physical education, literacy, and more. The focus you choose will likely impact which online Master’s in Education in Washington is the best fit for you.
Step 2: Earn Your Online Master's Degree
In Washington State, you’ll need to have completed a teacher preparation program to become an educator. An approved online education master’s in Washington will meet the state standards for teacher education and be designed to help you earn your teaching license. While the time to complete your online master’s will vary, you can generally expect this step to take at least one calendar year.
Step 3: Gain Field Experience
Part of teacher prep education in Washington State is hands-on experience in a classroom or school. Your online master’s likely has a placement program to help you find an approved location where you can get the appropriate amount of field experience. The type of classroom or building you work in will depend on your specialization.
Step 4: Pass Your State Exams
Licensed teachers in Washington State are required to pass two separate content exams, the WEST-B and WEST-E/NES. The WEST-B is a basic skills exam that all educators must pass, while the WEST-E/NES is actually two different content knowledge tests. Which WEST-E/NES you’ll take depends on your area of concentration. You may also need to take additional content exams if your area of specialization requires a psychology qualification, knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL), or bilingual teaching skills.
Step 5: Become Credentialed
The final step after meeting all other requirements is to complete a background check and submit your fingerprints for additional screening. After you pass your checks, you’re ready to start applying for teaching roles!
The Cost of an Education Master’s in Washington
Before you begin your online Master’s in Education in Washington, it’s important to know what your program will cost and have a plan for how you’ll pay for it. This can include savings, student loans, financial aid from your school, and private grants and scholarships. Depending on your course load, you may also work while you study to offset your costs. Try to line up funding before courses begin, as it will be easier to have funding in advance and save you from applying alongside studies. Take a look below to see some examples of base costs for different programs:
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University | MEd – Curriculum and Instruction | 49 | $15,925 |
| University of Washington | MEd in Instructional Leadership | 45 | $40,248 |
| City University of Seattle | Master in Teaching | 54-75 | $31,590 – $43,875 |
Financial Aid Options for WA Education Majors
As an online Master’s in Education student, you’ll have a variety of different options to help fund your education. In an accredited program, you may be eligible for financial aid from the government or your school. Aid packages can vary significantly and might include loans, need- and merit-based grants, or research and teaching assistantships. State-specific funding opportunities, like the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. You could also find specific scholarships for education graduate students.
Education Master’s Students FAQs
Is an online education degree a worthwhile investment in Washington?
An online education degree can be an excellent investment. If you’re a Washington resident, you’ll be able to save on relocation costs, which is especially relevant in a state with a high cost of living. You may also be able to build your course schedule around working a paid job during your studies, which can be more difficult when you have to commute to and from school.
Are education master’s only for people who want to become teachers?
While many education-related master’s degree programs are designed for those who want to be teachers, that is not the only path for a Master’s in Education holder. Some programs, such as master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction or administration, are geared towards those who want to work in the administrative or policy sides of education.
Can I legally work in Washington if I am credentialed as an educator in another state?
If you’ve already earned a teaching license or certification in another state but are planning to relocate to Washington, you can apply for reciprocity to transfer your license. You will need to have both a license in good standing and at least three years of work experience in the state where you received your credentials in order to be eligible for reciprocity in Washington. Otherwise, you will need to earn a Washington State teaching certification.
Can I earn a graduate certificate in education?
Graduate certificates in education are non-degree programs and don’t award the same credentials as a master’s degree. However, for those educators who want specialized training without the time and financial commitments of a degree, they can be an excellent option. Many schools in Washington that offer online master’s degrees in education may also have certificate programs.