Skip to content Skip to Live Chat

WGU ALUMNI

Continue at WGU with an Education-Focused Master's Degree

Keep Your Momentum and Earn a Master's Degree in Education

You've earned a bachelor's degree in education, but why stop there? As a WGU grad, it’s easy to continue and pursue your master's degree. In fact, nearly one in four current education master's degree seekers at WGU are continuing grads.

23%

Around one-fourth of current WGU teaching master's degree seekers earned their bachelor's at WGU.

2,697

Currently there are over 2,600 WGU education bachelor's degree grads pursuing a master's degree in education at WGU.

12-18

The average time to complete a master’s at WGU is 12 to 18 months. Increase your earning power in a year depending on the program.

Why Should You Earn a Master's Degree in Education?

  • Progress at work. Add a master's degree to your résumé and earn a promotion or change your career direction.
  • Boost your salary. A master's degree could help you earn more money. Time earning a master's in education is time well spent.
  • Keep moving. You already know the ins and outs of a WGU degree program. Keep up your momentum and earn an advanced degree.
  • Finish fast. Most graduate students earn their business master's degree in 12 to 24 months. You may be able to move even quicker.

Education Master's Degrees Offered

WGU offers 14 master's programs in education. For most of them, you will have to have earned a bachelor's degree in teaching and have your teaching license. If you're looking to add another specialty to your license or gain additional expertise in technology, instruction, or curriculum, a master's degree in education can be a perfect fit. For specific information on degree-specific prerequisites and steps, view the School of Education admission requirements.

Here are some ways to get started:

Education Master's Degrees for Aspiring Teachers

Education
COMPARE

Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.

An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification...

An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification program for aspiring elementary school teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.

Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.

  • Time: 64% of students finish within 24 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 24 total courses in this program (25 for Washington residents)

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Lesson Planning
  • Ethics
  • Behavioral Support Strategies
  • Educational Psychology & Development
  • Classroom Management

This online teacher's degree requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.

Education
COMPARE

Teaching, Special Education (K–12) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to...

An online master's degree for current or aspiring teachers looking to further their careers with a focus on K–12 special education.

  • Time: 64% of students finish similar programs in 22 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 26 total courses in this program.

This program is ideal for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and are looking to earn their initial teaching license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Professional, Ethical and Legal Guidelines in Special Education
  • Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Methods of Instruction and Intervention
  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Find a rewarding career teaching students with diverse challenges and special learning abilities with this teaching master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...

An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.

Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.

  • Time: 61% of students finish this middle school math teaching degree within 24 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 20 total courses in this program (21 for Washington residents).

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
  • Educational Psychology
  • Algebra for Secondary Mathematics Teaching
  • Mathematics History
  • Essential Practices for Supporting Diverse Learners

This M.A. Teaching program in middle grades math education requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. It differs from the M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) program in that it does not require courses in upper levels of calculus, including advanced calculus and mathematical modeling. The curriculum of this online math degree is designed to prepare middle school math teachers for success.

Education
COMPARE

Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.

An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...

An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school or high school math teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.

Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on the teaching certification in your state.

  • Time: 64% of students finish this high school math teaching degree within 25 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 21 total courses in this program (22 for Washington residents).

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Algebra for Secondary Teaching
  • Geometry for Secondary Teaching
  • Statistics and Probability for Secondary Teaching
  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
  • Educational Psychology

This online teaching degree in secondary math education requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This program differs from the M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) program in that it includes courses in upper levels of calculus, including advanced calculus and mathematical modeling. Graduates from this secondary math degree program will be eligible for a teaching license in any of the 50 states.

Education
COMPARE

Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.

An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...

An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school English teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.

Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.

  • Time: 63% of students finish this online English degree program within 21 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 17 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • English Pedagogy
  • Reading Instruction and Interventions
  • Disciplinary Literacy
  • Educational Psychology & Development
  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

This online English degree prepares students for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.

Education
COMPARE

Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) – M.A.

An online master's teaching degree and teacher certification program for...

An online master's teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school science teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.

Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.

  • Time: 62% of students finish this secondary science teaching degree within 24 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 18 total courses in this program (19 for Washington residents)

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Science Technology
  • Science Methods
  • Educational Psychology & Development
  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
  • Essential Practices for Supporting Diverse Learners

This program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. You'll be prepared to teach in middle school or high school settings, based on teaching certification in your state.

Education Master's Degrees for Current Teachers

Education
COMPARE

Educational Leadership – M.S.

An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a...

An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a school or district leadership position, like principal, vice principal, or administrator.

  • Time: 60% of grads earned this degree within 23 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 13 total courses in this program.

This program is for licensed teachers who are ready to take the next step in their education career.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • School Law
  • School Financial Leadership
  • People & Talent
  • School Operations and Management
  • Leadership Ethics

Put your leadership skills to good use—in the service of America's children—with this education master's degree. 

States that do not accept this program: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota.

Education
COMPARE

Science Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching science to middle school students.

Available in all states that offer a middle-grades general science endorsement.

  • Time: 63% of students earned this degree within 18 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 14 total courses in this program.

This program is for currently licensed teacher who want to add middle-grades science to their license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Earth science
  • Space science

Propel your career as a middle school or junior high science teacher with this M.A. degree.

Education
COMPARE

Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching chemistry to middle or high school students.

  • Time: 64% of students earn this degree within 18 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 14 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • General Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry

Propel your career as a junior high or high school chemistry teacher with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching earth science to middle or high school students.

  • Time: 60% of students earn this degree within 14 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 12 total courses in this program.

This program is designed for already-licensed teachers who want to add secondary earth science to their license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Physical Geology
  • Earth Systems
  • Astronomy
  • Ocean Systems
  • Chemistry

Propel your career as a junior high or high school geoscience teacher with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching biology to middle or high school students.

  • Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 17 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 13 total courses in this program.

This program is designed for already-licensed teachers who want to add secondary biology to their license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Heredity and Genetics
  • Zoology

Propel your career as a junior high or high school biology teacher with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

Science Education (Secondary Physics) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching physics to middle or high school students.

  • Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 15 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 13 total courses in this program.

This program is designed for already-licensed teachers who wish to add secondary physics to their licensure.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • General Chemistry
  • Mechanics
  • Waves and optics
  • Electricity and magnetism
  • Space, time and motion

Propel your career as a junior high or high school physics teacher with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching math to middle school students. Available in states that offer a middle-grades math teaching endorsement.

  • Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 16 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 14 total courses in this program.

This program is designed for current teachers who are looking to add middle grade math to their license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • College algebra
  • Finite mathematics
  • Trigonometry and pre-calculus
  • Mathematics learning and teaching
  • College geometry
  • Probability and statistics 
  • Calculus 

Focus your teaching passion on instilling in junior high students a love of math with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

Mathematics Education (K–6) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching math to elementary school students.

  • Time: 61% of students earn this degree within 12 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 10 total courses in this program.

This program is for current teachers who are looking to add K-6 math education to their license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Number Sense and Functions
  • Graphing
  • Geometry and Statistics
  • Research Design

Focus your teaching passion on instilling in elementary-age students a love of math with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...

An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching math to middle and high school students.

  • Time: 64% of students earn this degree within 18 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 18 total courses in this program.

This program is designd for current teachers who are looking to add secondary math to their license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Trigonometry and pre-calculus
  • College geometry
  • Calculus
  • Probability and statistics
  • Algebra for secondary mathematics teaching
  • Mathematics history and technology
  • Mathematical modeling and applications

Focus your teaching passion on instilling in junior high or high school students a love of math with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

English Language Learning (PreK–12) – M.A.

An online master's degree for current teachers whose next career goal...

An online master's degree for current teachers whose next career goal includes a focus on teaching in ELL or ESL settings.

  • Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 17 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 11 total courses in this program.

This program is for current teachers who are looking to add ELL or ESL to their license.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Assessment Theory and Practice
  • Language Production, Theory and Acquisition
  • Instruction Planning and Implementation
  • Theories of Second Language Acquisition

Grow your teaching career on a commitment to ensuring language barriers don't become a barrier to learning with this education master's degree.

Education
COMPARE

English Language Learning (PreK–12) Endorsement Prep

An online program for currently licensed elementary and secondary school...

An online program for currently licensed elementary and secondary school teachers who desire to be licensed to teach in ELL or ESL settings.

Become highly qualified in ELL or ESL, increase your career opportunities, earn re-licensure points, and possibly become eligible for lane changes leading to increased salary.

  • Time: 62% of students finish within 13 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 8 total courses in this program.

This program is for current teachers who are looking to earn an ELL/ESL endorsement.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Assessment Theory and Practice
  • Language Production, Theory and Acquisition
  • Instruction Planning and Implementation
  • Theories of Second Language Acquisition

Advance your teaching career and help ensure language barriers don't become a barrier to learning.

Other Education Master's Degrees

Education
COMPARE

Education Technology and Instructional Design – M.Ed.

The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for...

The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for instructional designers tasked with creating engaging and immersive virtual learning experiences that can substitute for on-ground instruction.

No teaching license required.

  • Time: 62% of students finish this program in 10 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term
  • Courses: 12 total courses in this program.

This program includes two tracks for students to choose from:

  • The K-12 pathway
  • The Adult Learner pathway

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Learning Experience Design
  • Assessment and Learning Analytics
  • Learning Technology
  • Research Methodology

Develop training and instruction expertise to help you in the classroom, in educational settings, or in corporate world.

Education
COMPARE

Curriculum and Instruction – M.S.

An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and...

An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and are looking to further their careers with a graduate program focused on curriculum development and design.

  • Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 12 months.
  • Tuition: $3,975 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 10 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:

  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Curriculum and Instruction Design
  • Educational Research
  • Assessment

Help schools create engaging, meaningful, and memorable learning experiences to improve learning outcomes for all students with this M.S. degree.

WGU’s School of Education provides a path for students to become licensed/certified teachers in each U.S. state and territory. In some cases, our program has already been approved for direct licensure/certification in your state. In other cases, you may apply for licensure/certification through reciprocity. Your Enrollment Counselor can give you specific information on your program of interest and how you may ultimately earn a license in your state. Please note that some programs do not have a corresponding license in certain states.

Ready to Continue at WGU?

You know what a WGU degree can do for your career and your life. Another degree could be the crucial next step you need to take. You've seen how WGU fits inside your life, so there's no better time than today to get started at WGU—again! We would love to have you return to WGU and continue your education. Don't wait any longer! Schedule an appointment with a continuing grad specialist to learn about the next steps, today.

Talk to Our School of Education

Returning Grads Enjoy VIP Benefits

You've learned how easy it is to fit a WGU degree program into your life, so keep going! As a returning student, you'll receive a number of perks. If you're ready, we'd love to welcome you back to WGU to pursue a master's degree. Click here to learn more about returning to WGU.

Elite Applicant Status

Your application for admission is much shorter than the standard application, and it will automatically be moved to the front of the line for consideration.

Exclusive Scholarship Opportunities

Returning grads are eligible to apply for the exclusive Alumni Master's Degree Scholarship, valued at up to $2,500.

New Student Scholarship Eligibility

Returning WGU graduates are also eligible to apply for the scholarship opportunities available to new students.

What Careers Can I Pursue with an Education-Focused Master's Degree?

A master’s degree can qualify you for higher-paying jobs and leadership positions in education. Your advanced degree may prepare you for many roles, including:

  • School Principal
  • Area Superintendent
  • Curriculum Director
  • Board of Education Member
  • Chief Learning Officer
  • Distance Education Administrator
  • Training and Development Specialist
  • Learning Experience Designer

Why Continue at WGU?

Maintain Momentum

You’ve earned a bachelor’s degree. You know how a WGU degree fits into your life, so why not keep going? Continue on and earn your master’s at WGU in as few as 12 to 18 months.

Progress Your Career

On average, advanced degree holders make $17,000 more than those with just a bachelor’s. For a small investment, you can earn your master’s degree at WGU and see big returns.

Exclusive Access

As a continuing student, you can enroll more quickly and apply for an alumni-only scholarship. Visit your student portal to complete the enrollment process quickly.

Explore Master's Degree Programs at WGU

We offer degree programs in four in-demand fields. See what else is available.