MS in Education Online
Choose a Career-Focused Master’s in Education
Online
2 Years
35–40 Credit Hours
$503 per Credit
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Unlock Your Full Potential with an Education Master’s Degree Online
Imagine how expanding your teaching expertise could transform your career. With the online MS in Education degree from Southwest Minnesota State University, you’ll engage in enriching courses to gain credentials for advanced education roles.
This online MS in Education program offers seven emphasis areas, delivering skills you can immediately apply in classrooms. Additionally, the Reading K-12 and Teaching English as a Second Language emphasis areas provide the qualifications for licensure.
This MS in Education program is also offered on campus.
Program Details
- Gain credentials to pursue Minnesota licensure
- Highly skilled faculty
- 3 start dates per year
- The program and many of its emphasis areas are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)
Tailor Your Master’s in Education with an Area of Emphasis
The MS in Education online includes emphasis areas for tailoring your degree to gain expert skills for the career you want. Choose the option that aligns with your professional goals and take the next step toward advancing your education career.
Master’s in Education Online Courses: A Curriculum for Future Education Leaders
35–40 Credit Hours
19 Courses
SMSU’s master’s in education online degree program includes 19 online courses for a total of 35–40 credit hours. Tailor your master’s degree by choosing from seven emphasis areas, acquiring the expertise to stand out in the field. By graduation, you’ll be prepared for the education career opportunities you want.
Course Highlights
- ED 622: Research in Education
- ED 625: 21st Century Based Teaching and Learning
- ED 632: Linking Teaching, Content, and Learning
- ED 635: Content and Curriculum Development
SMSU Admission Requirements
Start Date August 26, 2024 Fall Term 2024
Take the next step toward maximizing your professional potential by completing your application for the online MS in Education degree today. Support is available from the SMSU enrollment team.
Online Application Form | Apply Now |
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Application Fee | $30 waivable fee* |
Official Transcripts | Send official undergraduate transcripts |
Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
Additional Admission Items | Provide two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and your résumé if your GPA is under 3.0. |
International Students
Additional information and requirements may be necessary for international students. Please contact our enrollment team to learn more.
It’s always the right time to invest in your education with SMSU. Contact an enrollment counselor by calling 1-800-201-2944 to get started today.
Admissions DetailsTuition and Aid: Invest in a Custom Master’s Degree
Calculate your cost for attending SMSU Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Are you ready to invest in your future in an online master’s degree program? SMSU’s tuition and aid packages can assist you. With scholarships available and competitive tuition, we offer an affordable option for earning your MS in Education degree online.
Cost per Credit Hour | $503 |
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Total Credit Hours | 35–40 |
Total Estimated Cost** | $17,605 – $20,120 |
Other Costs | The estimated tuition cost does not include factors such as textbooks, supplies, or additional fees and expenses |
Military Benefits
SMSU proudly welcomes active military and veteran students. We accept the GI Bill™ and VA education benefits. Learn more by contacting an enrollment counselor or by visiting our military benefits page.
Financial Aid Options & Support
Southwest Minnesota State University offers a variety of solutions to help you invest in your education. SMSU offers in-state tuition rates to all students, along with a variety of financial services, including military benefits, financial aid opportunities, and scholarships for qualifying applicants.
Take your next step in financing your education by completing your FAFSA today. Use SMSU’s school code: 002375
Tuition DetailsWhat Can You Achieve by Earning Your MS in Education Online?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals who completed a master’s degree program earned an average of $11,908 more per year than their peers with only a bachelor’s degree in 2022.1 With SMSU’s online master’s in education program, you’ll open the door to advanced career opportunities with K–12 schools, higher education institutions, and other employers throughout the industry.
Jobs for Master’s in Education Graduates
ESL Teacher $58,590 per year2
High School Teacher $62,360 per year2
Program Outcomes
While earning your master’s in education online with SMSU, you’ll join a supportive community of diverse students and expert industry leaders. Pursue your goals of advanced teaching opportunities or obtaining licensure, and make an impact in your career as an SMSU grad.
What You’ll Learn
- Apply expert knowledge of subject matter, instructional practices, and the learning process inside the classroom
- Integrate current research into effective practices
- Demonstrate the leadership capabilities necessary to implement effective educational practices in local settings
Meet Our Faculty
SMSU employs a faculty of experts who are top-skilled in their fields. Our educators are fully committed to providing each student with personalized and thoughtful instruction to help you succeed academically and professionally.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Debbie VanOverbeke
Dr. Debbie VanOverbeke coordinates the online master’s in education program, including all seven of the degree’s emphasis areas. VanOverbeke has been a professor of education at SMSU since 2003. She worked as Education Graduate Director from 2004–2013 and 2016–2020.
VanOverbeke earned her BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics from Southwest Minnesota State University in 1989 before earning her MS in Education with an educational leadership specialization from SMSU in 2000. She started her career as a teacher at the middle school and high school level in Minnesota. In 2003, VanOverbeke earned her EdD in Adult and Higher Education from the University of South Dakota. She has completed certificates and fellowships focused on math, science, and reading since graduating.
VanOverbeke boasts many committee memberships, including positions on the Faculty Executive Committee, SMSU Long Range Planning, SMSU Institutional Review Board, SMSU Graduate Curriculum and Graduate Council, MnSCU Salary Equity Committee, and the Minnesota Academy of Reading.
Her extensive publications include “Implementing Equitable Practice-Based Teacher Education to Advance Rural STEM Teacher Candidates’ Pedagogical and Content Knowledge,” “Pinterest + Research = Preservice Teachers’ Strategic Use of Instructional Strategies,” “Preservice Teachers + Pinterest = Engaging Content Development,” and more. She has also given many insightful presentations, including talks at the Far West Association for Science Teacher Education, the International Literacy Association 2017 conference, and many more.
Learn Online with Southwest Minnesota State University
Whether you’re enrolling in a degree program for the first time or completing a degree you previously started, learning online with SMSU provides the flexibility you need to be successful. Our online programs offer the same rigorous curriculum delivered on campus, plus the convenience of studying on your schedule from the location of your choice.
Discover SMSU OnlineSources and Disclaimers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Outlook: Education Pays, at https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2023/data-on-display/education-pays.htm (visited October 3, 2023).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Educational Instruction and Library Occupations, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm (visited October 13, 2023).
*Contact our enrollment team for more details!
**Tuition costs and fees will vary based on semesters of enrollment and number of transfer credits accepted. Contact our enrollment team to learn more.